[Lego Hagiography] Teresa of Avila
St. Teresa of Avila is known for many things: Being one of the main counter-reformers, helping to restore order and justice to the Church following the reformation; her influential writings on mysticism; levitation; founding numerous small convents and the order of the Discalced Carmelites; being investigated by the Spanish Inquisition (how unexpected!); and one of the most, erm, memorable accounts of a spiritual encounter. Lifetime: 1515 to 1582 Region: Spain Patronages: Spain; Headache sufferers; Lacemakers (lacemakers get a saint but weirdos don't??) Iconograpy: Book & quill; Holy Spirit dove; Heart pierced by an arrow Feast Day: August 24 Ok, have we all read that account? Have we all seen the artistic depictions? I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart, and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leav