Teresa was born in Avila, Spain in 1515. As a young child, she was fascinated by the saints. At the age of seven, she convinced her older brother to run away with her to Africa so that they could be beheaded by the Moors and become martyrs. Teresa had visions, experienced ecstasies, levitations and received other extraordinary graces. The Lord spoke to her personally and she experienced spiritual espousal. Teresa struggled on, courageous and faithful, clinging to God and prayer. Her writings on prayer that were drawn from experience were powerful, practical and graceful. She is the patron saint for headache sufferers and Spanish catholic writers.