Who Was Ana de San Bartolomé?

Abstract

Ana de San Bartolomé (García) was born in in rural Spain, the daughter of landholding peasants. She was a loner and a visionary. She became a novice at the convent of San José, in Ávila, in 1570, and met Saint Teresa in the spring of 1571. After Teresa fell and broke her arm, Ana became her secretary and traveled with her to help make foundations. One of Ana’s most important functions was that of infirmarian, or nurse. In her letters, Ana provides detailed explanations of some of the homeopathic cures she used. Infirmarians, who were usually illiterate, white-veiled nuns, rarely left records of their activities, but Ana’s letters provide a wealth of information on health and healing.