Anna of Jesus, Venerable

ANNA di GESU, venerable. — Discalced Carmelite, disciple and co-worker of s. Teresa, born at Medina del Campo (Spain) on 25 November 1545, died at Brussels on 4 March 1621. At the age of ten she took a vow of virginity. She donned the Teresian habit in 1570 and accompanied s. Teresa in the foundation of the monastery of Beas (1575), of which she became prioress. She founded the monasteries of Granada (1582) and Madrid (1586). In 1604 she introduced the Teresian reform into France, founding there the monasteries of Paris, Pontoise, and Dijon, and then into Belgium, where she founded the monastery of Brussels (1607). She was highly esteemed by s. Teresa and s. Giovanni della Croce. At her request the “mystical doctor” wrote the Cantico Spirituale, and Fray Luis de León the Exposición del libro de Job.