St Ignatius died in 1556, but the effect of the Society of Jesus on the Church was only just beginning.  One of the earliest and most important tasks of his immediate disciples was the formation of the Carmelite nun Teresa, and her spiritual guidance in the unusual paths she was called to tread.  Even in Catholic Spain hearts had grown cold and minds lax.  The religious houses had long fallen from their first fervour.  During the space of sixteen years St. Teresa founded seventeen convents, all following the original strict Carmelite rule.  As early as 1474 Pope Eugenius iv. had formed the project of re-establishing the strict observance of the rule in all religious communities, but the times were not then favourable for carrying it out.  He had therefore approved provisionally of a mitigated rule for all Carmelite houses, by means of which discipline was to be restored.  The Carmelite general, John Soreth, made great efforts to enforce it, but his success was partial and short-lived.

In 1524, when Teresa de Ahumeda was still a child, Clement vii. addressed a brief to the General Chapter of the Carmelites, assembled at Venice, commanding them to reform their order.  The brief was cordially received, and the Chapter passed many resolutions all aiming at the removal of abuses, such as the careless and hasty admission of members, so that thenceforth no person might be received into the order without the consent of the provincial, or before the age of fifteen.  Another resolution passed in this Chapter referred to the private property of the friars; but lest more harm than good should be done by sudden and violent measures, it was decreed that in every province certain houses should be set apart for those members who had received the mitigated rule of Pope Eugenius, and who were therefore considered as reformed.  But together with these houses others should be tolerated for a season, while the religious were gradually accustomed to a state of discipline.  Those who had not accepted the mitigated rule were to be allowed temporarily to enjoy their patrimony, as also the emoluments accruing to them from teaching, preaching, and other services rendered.  There was to be no difference in their treatment, and the religious habit was to be the same for the reformed and the unreformed brethren.  Subsequent Chapters-General continued to pass similar wise regulations, but they were by no means promptly carried out; and at Vicenza, in 1539, it was decreed that provincials and friars must undertake the reform of their convents in the course of one year, in default of which their subjects were to be released from the obedience they owed them.  Only reformed friars might be elected superiors.*

* Monsignanus, Bullarium, ii. 59 c, 47 b.