Balthazar Alvarez

Who was Balthazar Alvarez?

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 Carthusians 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.