Pedro Poveda, aware of the challenges that his historical moment posed, he soon realized the importance of the secularization that was taking place.  He envisioned a way of living Christianity in the midst of the world in imitation of the transforming presence of the first Christians in society.  Under this inspiration he founded an Academy in Oviedo in 1911, as the germ of the Teresian Association, named after St. Teresa of Avila, a woman of learning -a doctor of the Church- and a teacher of prayer.  With that Academy a new evangelizing style is born in Spain.

The young women teaching in the academy look the same as any other teachers:  “In Jesus Christ, under the appearance of just an ordinary man is God; in you, under a common exterior look the spirit of God must be found”.   And from that year on, other academies are established in many cities of Spain, university residences for women are open in those places that have a university, being the one in Madrid the first to open its doors in 1914.

The Teresian Association is an International Association of Christ Faithful present in 30 countries. Its objective is the human promotion of individuals and the transformation of unjust structures by means of an education and culture imparted from the platform of Christianity.  Its members are men and women that, according to their specific vocation and professions, strive to live the Christian vocation in the world “after the style of the first Christians” as its Founder desired.

The numerous writings of Poveda addressed to the members of the Teresian Association mark an itinerary that stems from the radicalism of the Christian message and it presents as its essential notes:  a life in the Spirit, a Christ centered spirituality, a solid Marian devotion and a deep sense of Church.  When this spiritual itinerary permeates the work of education and culture it constitutes for Poveda a true sign of the Kingdom of God.

In 1917 the Teresian Association received its civil identity in Jaén according to the Laws governing associations at the time.  That same year he obtained the Diocesan approval of a “Pious Union”, fulfilling in this way the norms of the then recently published Code of Cannon Law.  On January 11, 1924, Pope Pious XI approved the Work in perpetuity.

This gigantic task that represented a new and fruitful charisma in the Church, Poveda was able to carry it out thanks to his friends, his collaborators and an exceptional group of women, among whom Josefa Segovia stands out.  She had just finished her studies in the School of Teachers known as Escuela Superior de Magisterio when she assumed the leadership of the Academy of Jaén in 1914.  Around her gathered a growing group of young women such as Antonia López Arista, Isabel del Castillo, Carmen Cuesta, María Diaz Jimenez, María de Echarri, Josefina Olóriz and others in the field of education or other professions -like journalism - who realized the ideal of Poveda.  In 1936, the year of the death of Pedro Poveda, the number of members attending different universities and with graduate degrees exceeded five hundred.

In 1928, with the collaboration of Adela Edwards, the Teresian Association began its work in Chile, South America, where today is established in twelve countries.

In 1934, a small group started the Work in Rome, and in the years that follow in other European countries.

In 1940, the Spanish Guinea in Africa received the first members of the Association, and later on, in decade of 1960, activities commenced in Congo and in Cameron.

During the decade of the fifties members of the Association went to the Philippines and Israel, and a few years later to Japan, Taiwan and India.

At present the Teresian Association counts with four thousand members among all its associations, and carries out its work in a variety of human endeavors:  at all levels of formal education, in teams of educational research, in the editorial and publishing field.

At the same time the Association, in an effort to foster an intercultural perspective and to open up avenues of dialogue for peace and justice, maintains some ONGs (Organizations not under the Government) like Intered in Spain and Novamérica in Brazil.

Likewise, it collaborates with ecclesial and civil institutions whose objectives are the humanizing of society and the advancement of peoples; the formation of the laity in the Church; the development of a world where the dignity of people and nations is respected.

For the members of the Teresian Association the assimilation of the Mystery of Incarnation is the key element in order to live a life fully human and totally God´s.  In the Word Incarnate the members discover the meaning of a demanding commitment as a way to respond to the challenges of our times marked by a lack of faith and justice.

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