ABSTRACT
It is ironic, but perhaps not surprising, that Protestant efforts to abolish monasticism helped to stimulate a resurgence of monastic vitality in Catholic territories; defenders of monasticism, whether consciously or not, took many Protestant criticisms to heart and endeavored to revitalize a vocation that had often become spiritual in name only.1 One of the individuals who embraced this vision of monastic renewal was Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), who from 1562 to 1582 founded nineteen Discalced Carmelite convents and friaries in southern and central Spain. Teresa’s reform was remarkable, not only because it was led by a woman, but also because it was one that sought a more profound and spiritually influential role for nuns, while at the same time embracing the Tridentine decrees of enclosure that in theory would seal them off from contact with the world extramuros.
