Teresa Toda y Guasch was born in Riudecanyes (Spain) on May 28, 1848 and was baptized the next day in the parish of her hometown.

On July 8, Antonio Guasch, her father, who had already left home, violently snatched his daughter Teresita from his wife's arms and fled with her, endangering the child's life. The girl was rescued by her maternal grandmother, Magdalena, helped by other men in the city.

On August 8, 1848, Teresa Toda presented herself to the Archbishop of Tarragona, to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. From the end of that year Teresita began to live in Tarragona, with her mother, grandmother and uncles. In 1853, she was enrolled in the College of the Company of Mary. Her mother wanted an attentive education for her daughter, especially a formation well founded on Christian principles and values, and which she tried to inculcate in the family.

God was preparing the way for mother and daughter to become a ground ready to receive the calling that was reserved for them.

In 1863, her mother confided to Teresa her desire to consecrate herself to God, founding a religious institute for the reception and education of orphaned girls. Teresa Guasch, who had thought of joining another Congregation, fully accepted her mother's plan.

From this moment Teresa Toda and Teresa Guasch, mother and daughter, in perfect union and harmony, had only one goal: to consecrate their lives to God and to found a Congregation preferably at the service of orphans.

Recommended by Dr. Caixal, Canon of the cathedral of Tarragona and spiritual director of the mother, they prepared and organized everything in silence, overcoming many difficulties and without ever losing their unshakable faith in God.

In 1883, the first Constitutions of the Congregation of the Teresian Carmelite Sisters of St Joseph were adopted by the Vicar Capitular of the Bishopric of Barcelona. Together with her mother and two other companions, Catherine Pera, Rosa Maria Valles y Capdevila, Teresa Guasch made her religious profession, taking the name Teresa of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Teresa Guasch embodied her mother's ideal better than anyone else; she became the inspiration, pedagogue and soul of the Congregation. First in her mother's life, and then as a follower of her work.

In 1898, after the death of her mother, she was elected Superior General of the Congregation, a position she held until her death. In 1902 she obtained the definitive diocesan approval and in 1911 the decree of praise and the definitive approval of the Institute.

Other foundations followed: 1902, Sabadell, 1906, Roda de Bará and 1916 Tarragona.

In 1912 she suffered a serious illness that she was determined would not be an obstacle to continue, with perseverance and perseverance in the face of her work. But the disease undermined her body and she, who had always worked tirelessly, multiplied her activity in the last days because she already felt the end was near.

On December 15, Saturday, between 11 and 12 o'clock in the evening, she gave her soul to God.

The decree on her heroic virtues was promulgated on April 19, 2004.