Anne of Saint Bartholomew
Encyclopedia
Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew, O.C.D., (Almendral
, Old Castile
, 1 October 1550 – Antwerp, 7 June 1626) was a Spanish
Discalced Carmelite nun
, and companion to Saint Teresa of Avila
.
She later entered the convent as lay sister and made her vows on 15 August 1572. For the next ten years she filled the post of infirmarian; she now became the almost inseparable companion and secretary of St. Teresa, who died in her arms at Alba de Tormes
in 1582.
Anne afterwards returned to Avila, took part in the foundation of a convent at Ocana
(1595), and was one of the seven nuns selected for the introduction of the order into France (October, 1604). The French superiors, desirous of sending her as prioress to Pontoise
, obliged her to pass from the state of lay sister to that of choir nun. So unusual a step met with the disapproval of her companions, but as St. Teresa had foretold it many years previously Anne offered no resistance. She had also been forewarned that the same step would cause her great sufferings. Her priorship at Pontoise (January to September, 1605), Paris (October, 1605, to April, 1608), Tours May, 1608, to 1611) brought her heavy trials, not the least of which were differences with her superiors. At the expiration of her last term of office she returned to Paris, but warned by a vision, she proceeded to Belgium (October, 1611), where she founded and became prioress of a convent at Antwerp (27 October 1612), which she governed to the end of her life. Twice she was instrumental in delivering the town from the hands of Protestant forces.
In 1735, Anne of St. Bartholomew was declared Venerable. She was beatified in 1917.
(Paris, 1869–72), and several treatises on spiritual matters, which appeared at Paris in 1646.
Almendral
Almendral is a municipality located in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 1352 inhabitants.-Gallery:...
, Old Castile
Old Castile
Old Castile is a historic region of Spain, which included territory that later corresponded to the provinces of Santander , Burgos, Logroño , Soria, Segovia, Ávila, Valladolid, Palencia....
, 1 October 1550 – Antwerp, 7 June 1626) was a Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
Discalced Carmelite nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
, and companion to Saint Teresa of Avila
Teresa of Ávila
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, and writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer...
.
Life
Born Ana García, she was of humble origin and spent her youth in solitude and prayer tending flocks. When she first went to Ávila to enter the Carmelite convent, she was refused as being too young; for several years after, she suffered much at the hands of her brothers.She later entered the convent as lay sister and made her vows on 15 August 1572. For the next ten years she filled the post of infirmarian; she now became the almost inseparable companion and secretary of St. Teresa, who died in her arms at Alba de Tormes
Alba de Tormes
Alba de Tormes is a municipality in the province of Salamanca, western Spain, part of the autonomous community of Castile-Leon. The town is on the River Tormes upstream from the city of Salamanca. Alba gave its name to one of Spain's most important dukedoms. St Teresa of Ávila died at a convent...
in 1582.
Anne afterwards returned to Avila, took part in the foundation of a convent at Ocana
Ocaña
Ocaña may refer to:*Ocaña, Colombia, a city in Norte de Santander department*Ocaña, Spain, a town in the province of Toledo, site of:**Battle of Ocana, during the Peninsular War*Luis Ocana, a Spanish cyclistSee also:...
(1595), and was one of the seven nuns selected for the introduction of the order into France (October, 1604). The French superiors, desirous of sending her as prioress to Pontoise
Pontoise
Pontoise is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris, in the "new town" of Cergy-Pontoise.-Administration:...
, obliged her to pass from the state of lay sister to that of choir nun. So unusual a step met with the disapproval of her companions, but as St. Teresa had foretold it many years previously Anne offered no resistance. She had also been forewarned that the same step would cause her great sufferings. Her priorship at Pontoise (January to September, 1605), Paris (October, 1605, to April, 1608), Tours May, 1608, to 1611) brought her heavy trials, not the least of which were differences with her superiors. At the expiration of her last term of office she returned to Paris, but warned by a vision, she proceeded to Belgium (October, 1611), where she founded and became prioress of a convent at Antwerp (27 October 1612), which she governed to the end of her life. Twice she was instrumental in delivering the town from the hands of Protestant forces.
In 1735, Anne of St. Bartholomew was declared Venerable. She was beatified in 1917.
Works
Her writings include a number of letters still preserved, an autobiography now at Antwerp, edited by Marie Dominique BouixMarie Dominique Bouix
Marie Dominique Bouix was a French Jesuit canon lawyer.His life was a long battle with Gallicanism...
(Paris, 1869–72), and several treatises on spiritual matters, which appeared at Paris in 1646.