0
0
The well-preserved remains of a 16th-century Catholic saint were revealed to the public, leaving many in awe. The 440-year-old body of Saint Teresa of Jesus was displayed in a glass coffin at the Basilica Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Salamanca, Spain, on Sunday, May 11.
This was the first time since 1914 that the body of the Discalced Carmelite nun was shown to the public. Though the body appears skeletal at first glance, certain parts are still remarkably well-preserved.
Several visitors at the Basilica were deeply moved by the sight of the centuries-old body, with many seen praying in front of Saint Teresa’s remains.
The Discalced Carmelite nuns, monks, and priests had opened the coffin to allow relics from her heart, hand, and arm to be studied. They also compared the current state of the body with a photograph taken in 1914.
Father Marco Chiesa commented, “The uncovered parts, such as the face and foot, are the same as they were in 1914. There is no color, as the skin is mummified, but the structure is still visible, especially around the face.”
This display was part of a public veneration ceremony, which has only occurred three times since Saint Teresa’s death in 1582, as reported by Exaudi.org. The last two ceremonies took place in 1760 and 1914, making this a rare opportunity for the faithful to honor the saint in this extraordinary way.
Researchers have been amazed by the preservation of her body, a testament to its remarkable condition over the centuries.
