Interior Castle

St. Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun, mystic, and religious reformer who lived in 16th century Spain. She is best known for her mystical writings and visions, her profound insights on prayer, and her work to reform the Carmelite order. She was canonized 40 years after her death and was made the first female Doctor of the Church in 1970.

Jon M. Sweeney is an independent scholar and an award-winning writer. He is a biographer of St. Francis of Assisi and translator of his writings, and his books on Franciscan subjects have sold more than two hundred thousand copies. Jon is the author of more than forty books, including The Pope Who Quit, which was optioned by HBO. He is editor in chief and publisher of Paraclete Press. He’s appeared on CBS Saturday Morning and numerous other programs, and writes regularly for America magazine in the US, and The Tablet in the UK. Jon is married to Rabbi Michal Woll; their interfaith marriage has been profiled in national media. He's the father of four, and lives in Milwaukee.