The Saint Teresa of Ávila also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada (1515 1582), was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun and author during the Counter Reformation and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. In 1622, forty years after her death, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV. Portrait engraved by french artist DeMarteau (1750-1802) in 1786