When her aunt passed away, Carvajal went to Pamplona, where she was placed under the care of her uncle Francisco Hurtado a recognized diplomat and the First Marquis of Almazán.

[7] Following the death of her uncle in 1592, Carvajal in her writings suggests that this granted her a sense of freedom in that she could now fully live for Christ as she so desired to do.

Although in modern times, these penitential practices can appear to be a form of physical abuse and torture, it is important to realize that this mode of devotion was prominent during the 16th century in Spain.

[11][12] This form of penitence demonstrated one's devotion to God and the more one practiced this, the more the individual became empowered because they felt they were commemorating the death of Christ with their own bodies.

These penitential practices influenced Carvajal in that later on in her life she would mortify her flesh as a symbol of meditating on Christ's Passion.

And so, he would order at times that they lead me unclothed and barefoot, with my feet on the extremely cold floor, with a cap on my head that only held my hair, and a towel tied to my waist, a rope at my neck, which sometimes was made of hair bristles and others of hemp, and my hands tied with it, from one room to another, like an evil-doer, until arriving at the last small oratory that was beyond.

It was a closed room and removed from the rest of the house and in a very secret part, and in front of me, pulling lightly by the rope,went one of the servile people of Our Lord of whom I have spoken, and at times she uttered words of humiliation and shame.

[16][4] Carvajal became engaged in social reversals going as far as putting herself under the obedience of other women, cooking, fasting and even begging for food.

Just six months after Carvajal had arrived in England, Father Henry Garnet was executed for having knowledge of Catholic plans against the English government.

[22] She was a leader in charitable service to the poor such as taking care of the sick and helping prostitutes obtain a better life in England.

Women in this society would partake in a life of fervent prayer and "were committed to violent and fortunate death for the confession of the holy Catholic faith".

[37] Carvajal's second imprisonment would occur on October 28, 1613, when sheriffs were ordered by George Abbot, the Archbishop of Canterbury to break into her home and arrest her because she was allegedly planning on opening a convent,[38] which went against English laws, as women were not allowed to gather together for religious purposes.

Once again, the Spanish Ambassador, this time Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, managed to set her free after three days of imprisonment.

[45][46] Below is one of Carvajal's poem titled Spiritual Sonnet (18) which illustrates through analogy the process of allowing the word of God to enter one's life.

[47] Spiritual Sonnet (18) Receive, Silva, from your sweet Beloved this close embrace, with immense love brimming, and through my right side's opening enter, little dove, within my breast.

Repose on the sacred flowering bed and inflame yourself with love so passionate that not until the strong knot has fully tied will it ever be wholly satisfied.

[48] Shortly after being released from her second imprisonment, Carvajal contracted a bronchial illness resulting in her death on her forty-eighth birthday in 1614.

Immediately after her death, friends and priests such as Ines de la Asuncion[15] began to circulate her life story throughout Europe with hopes of beginning the beatification process for Carvajal.

[51][49] The Spanish ambassador Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, was ordered by King Phillip III to send her remains to Madrid, where they lie in the Royal Monastery of la Encarnación to this day.