Thursday, July 18, 2013

Quilt Block in Honor of St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) was a prominent Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. She was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross.

In 1622, forty years after her death, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV and was in 1970 named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI. Her best-known writing is "The Interior Castle."

Her symbols are a heart, arrow, and books.

 For this 12" x 12" quilt block, I chose to create two intersecting arrows to represent St. Teresa's most well-known mystical experience. As she wrote, "He pierced my heart with the arrow of His love." The red in the center represents her heart. The brown field is representative of the Carmelite order.

Please click here to download the free pattern for this block: Quilt Block in Honor of St. Teresa of Avila.