Description
Book SynopsisThe sixteenth century was a period of crisis in the Catholic Church. Monastic reorganization was a major issue, and women were at the forefront of charting new directions in convent policy. The story of the Carmelite Reform has been told before, but never from the perspective of the women on the front lines. Nearly all accounts of the movement focus on Teresa de Avila, (1515-1582), and end with her death in 1582.
Women Religious and Epistolary Exchange in the Carmelite Reform: The Disciples of Teresa de Avila carries the story beyond Teresa’s death, showing how the next generation of Carmelite nuns struggled into the seventeenth century to continue her mission. It is unique in that it draws primarily from female-authored sources, in particular, the letters of three of Teresa’s most dynamic disciples: María de San José, Ana de Jesús and Ana de San Bartolomé.
Trade ReviewWinner of the GEMELA 2022 Award, Book Category! "Muchos elementos hacen de esta obra un trabajo de gran interés. El primero de ellos es que nos permite asomarnos a la historia de la Orden fundada por Teresa de Jesús, y a la misma historia de la Iglesia —en una época tan condicionante como es la contrarreformista— desde una perspectiva femenina, dejando hablar a las protagonistas. Más aún, acercándonos a la voz de su intimidad, recogiendo palabras privadas, como son las de la mayoría de las cartas."
- María José Pérez González
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Part I: María de San José
Chapter 1. The (Almost) Silenced Epistolary Pen of María de San José
Chapter 2. Drama in Seville
Chapter 3. On to Portugal
Chapter 4. Battles
Chapter 5. Trials
Part II: Ana de Jesús
Chapter 6. Paris and Beyond
Chapter 7. In the Low Countries
Part III: Ana de San Bartolomé
Chapter 8. The Other Ana
Chapter 9. Ana and the French
Chapter 10. The Antwerp Foundation
Chapter 11. Friends and Enemies.
Chapter 12. The Ones Who Stayed Behind: The Letters of Catalina de Cristo to Ana de San Bartolomé
Conclusion
Index
