BUILDING A SPEECH OF HOLINESS:

BUILDING A SPEECH OF HOLINESS: THE WORK OF SAINT TERESA OF AVILA AS SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN ITS PRODUCTION AND RECEPTION

Abstract

In making a comparative analyses between the works that characterize modern Spain spiritual autobiographies, especially the ones of Isabelle Poutrin, Blanca Garí de Aguilera and Diana Klinger, it’s possible to consider in what ways the works of Saint Teresa of Avila can fit in this category and in what aspects it become unique. Further, such works helps us to think how, even if the theresian writings have elements that surpasses the autobiographical category, her Book of Life remains a main influence of the genre long beyond its divulgation and publication. This article has the objective to think the ways in which Teresa uses her writing and her role as a religious woman to build a speech of holiness that will influence other women in the pursuit, by her example, of a spiritual path considered a model.