Balthazar Alvarez
Encyclopedia
Balthazar Alvarez was a Spanish
Catholic mystic and was the spiritual director of St. Teresa
. Alvarez was born in Cervera
, Spain, in 1533 of a noble family.
He studied philosophy and theology in the University of Alcalá
. His inclination was first towards the Carthusian
s because of their life of contemplation, but finally he entered the Society of Jesus
at Alcalá
in 1555, fifteen years after its foundation. In the novitiate
of Simancas he met St. Francis Borgia and a strong affection was established between them. He resumed his philosophical and theological studies at Alcalá and Ávila, under the guidance of the Dominicans
, for as yet in Spain the Society of Jesus had no College for theological studies of its own.
The continual interruptions of his studies impeded his progress in scholastic theology, but did advance in the field of mystical theology
. He became confessor, master of novices, rector
, provincial, and visitor. He was ordained a priest in 1558, and, although only twenty-five years of age, was entrusted with the spiritual direction of St. Teresa
, then belonging to the mitigated order of Carmel
, but who was on the point of founding the Discalced Carmelites
. Alvarez not only guided her in matters of the spirit, but defended her from her critics, encouraged her in her work of reform, and had much to do with framing the rules of the new Order.
Alvarez's direction of Teresa continued for seven years, and it was revealed to her there was no one in the world who surpassed him in sanctity. He followed the usual method of prayer for sixteen years. In 1574 he was made rector of Salamanca
and visitor of the Province of Aragon and, in 1579, was about to be sent as provincial to Peru
but that project was never carried out. He was well on in life when his method of prayer was questioned. By some it was looked upon as a delusion of the devil
. Alvarez was compelled to write an account of it to the General of the Society of Jesus, Everard Mercurian
, who approved of it, but discountenanced it as a general practice. At the same time, he expressed his esteem for Alvarez and employed him in the most responsible offices. At his death, St. Teresa had a revelation of his glory in heaven. He died at Belmonte
in 1580.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Catholic mystic and was the spiritual director of St. Teresa
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...
. Alvarez was born in Cervera
Cervera
Cervera is the capital of the comarca of Segarra, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. The title Compte de Cervera is a courtesy title, formerly part of the Crown of Aragon, that has been revived for Felipe, Prince of Asturias....
, Spain, in 1533 of a noble family.
He studied philosophy and theology in the University of Alcalá
University of Alcalá
The University of Alcalá is a public university located in Alcalá de Henares, a city 35 km northeast of Madrid in Spain. Founded in 1499, it was moved in 1836 to Madrid. In 1977, the University was reopened in its same historical buildings...
. His inclination was first towards the Carthusian
Carthusian
The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St. Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. The order was founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns...
s because of their life of contemplation, but finally he entered the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
at Alcalá
Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares , meaning Citadel on the river Henares, is a Spanish city, whose historical centre is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, and one of the first bishoprics founded in Spain...
in 1555, fifteen years after its foundation. In the novitiate
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
of Simancas he met St. Francis Borgia and a strong affection was established between them. He resumed his philosophical and theological studies at Alcalá and Ávila, under the guidance of the Dominicans
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
, for as yet in Spain the Society of Jesus had no College for theological studies of its own.
The continual interruptions of his studies impeded his progress in scholastic theology, but did advance in the field of mystical theology
Mystical theology
Mystical theology is a branch of theology which treats of acts and experiences or states of the soul which cannot be produced by human effort.-Catholic tradition:...
. He became confessor, master of novices, rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
, provincial, and visitor. He was ordained a priest in 1558, and, although only twenty-five years of age, was entrusted with the spiritual direction of St. Teresa
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...
, then belonging to the mitigated order of Carmel
Carmelites
The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
, but who was on the point of founding the Discalced Carmelites
Discalced Carmelites
The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
. Alvarez not only guided her in matters of the spirit, but defended her from her critics, encouraged her in her work of reform, and had much to do with framing the rules of the new Order.
Alvarez's direction of Teresa continued for seven years, and it was revealed to her there was no one in the world who surpassed him in sanctity. He followed the usual method of prayer for sixteen years. In 1574 he was made rector of Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
and visitor of the Province of Aragon and, in 1579, was about to be sent as provincial to Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
but that project was never carried out. He was well on in life when his method of prayer was questioned. By some it was looked upon as a delusion of the devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
. Alvarez was compelled to write an account of it to the General of the Society of Jesus, Everard Mercurian
Everard Mercurian
Everard Mercurian was the fourth Superior General of the Society of Jesus.- Brief Biography :Born Lardinois into a humble family in Marcourt, near La Roche-en-Ardenne in what is now the province of Luxembourg in 1514, in the south-east corner of what is now Belgium. This is the origin of his...
, who approved of it, but discountenanced it as a general practice. At the same time, he expressed his esteem for Alvarez and employed him in the most responsible offices. At his death, St. Teresa had a revelation of his glory in heaven. He died at Belmonte
Belmonte
-People and titles:*Prince Belmonte or Princess Belmonte, a Spanish and Italian noble title*Domenico Pignatelli di Belmonte, a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church*Gennaro Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte, a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church...
in 1580.