Part of the Field Guide to Flying Saints.

born: Avila, march 28, 1515

died: Alba, oct 4, 1582

A pretty girl who grew up reading about saints and played at being a hermit in the garden.

As a teenager she cared only about boys and clothes like all kids. Being popular made it difficult to become a nun but she did anyway. Immediately she got malaria, and the medication she received was poor so she never really recovered. She started having visions.

One eyewitness Sister Anne of the Incarnation said Theresa levitated a 40 cm of the ground for about half an hour.

'It seemed to me when I tried to make some resistance, as if a great force beneath my feet lifted me up. I know of nothing with which to compare it, but it was much more violent than other spiritual visitations, and I was therefore as one ground to pieces'.

She would crawl around on the floor in ecstasy calling for her 'sweet beloved Youngman'.

Wingspan: 1,59m

Weight (approx): 58kg

Range and distribution: Spain

Color: various

Special features: an arrow, heart and arrow or whispering pigeon