The tomb of a medieval Catholic saint was opened for study last month, but its discoverers were stunned by the state of the body.
The Diocese of Avila announced in an Aug. 28 press release translated from Spanish to English that the tomb of St. Teresa de Jesus was recently opened to the public. Also known as Saint Teresa de Avila, the saint was a Carmelite nun who died in 1582.
The Spanish diocese explained that the tomb was last opened in 1914. It contains most of St. Teresa's remains, which it said have “remained incorrupt since 1582,” according to the diocese.
A group of Carmelite nuns, monks and priests opened her tomb as part of a complex operation to examine the relics of St. Teresa's heart, hand and arm. Father Miguel Angel Gonzalez said in a press release that the reliquary was moved with “solemnity and grandeur” and a “heart full of emotion.”
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The tomb of St. Teresa of Avila was recently opened, where Carmelite monks found her body in an “incorrupt” state. (Carmelites of the Diocese of Avila, Spain)
“The process to reach the silver urn containing the remains of Saint Teresa was extremely complicated,” reads a translated version of the press release. “First, the marble slab of the tomb had to be removed. The silver tomb was then opened in the presence of a scientific medical team and members of the Church Court, in a room reserved for the study of the saint's main remains.”
Father Marco Chiesa said the saint's body is in remarkably good condition, and the Carmelite friars examined a photograph of the saint's body taken in 1914 to see if there had been any changes to the physical condition of Teresa's body.
“The parts that are not covered, namely the face and feet, are exactly as they were in 1914,” Chiesa said in a press release. “The skin has lost its color because it is mummified, but some skin color is visible, especially in the center of the face.”
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According to the Carmelite priests and nuns who opened St. Teresa's tomb, her body was found perfectly preserved. (Carmelites of the Diocese of Avila, Spain)
“[It] “The condition is good,” he added. “Specialists have seen Teresa's face with near-clear clarity.”
By studying the saint's remains, researchers have also been able to understand the health conditions she suffered before her death.
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“We know that, as she said, it was difficult for her to even walk in recent years,” Chiesa explains. “When you look at a body, you sometimes find more than what the person had.” [spoken about]”
The unveiling of the tomb of Saint Teresa of Avila was carried out solemnly in accordance with the rules of the Carmelite Order. (Carmelites of the Diocese of Avila, Spain)
Analyze your feet [relic] “In Rome, I saw the presence of calcareous thorns that made it almost impossible to walk,” the priest added. “But she walked.” [to] Alba de Tormes has since passed away, but she had a desire to continue and progress despite her physical disabilities.”
Chiesa said analysis of Teresa's remains is still in the early stages, but he hopes the project will teach researchers how to better preserve artifacts.
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St. Teresa of Avila died in 1582, but had health problems prior to her death. (Carmelites of the Diocese of Avila, Spain)
“We know that a similar study will also provide very interesting data about Teresa and recommendations for the preservation of her relics, but that will be at a separate stage,” the priest said.
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