Latest news with #BasilicaAnnunciation
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Believe it or not, a Catholic saint's 400-year-old body is well preserved even now. Here's why
The remains of a Catholic saint who died over 400 years ago were displayed in Spain. The body of St. Teresa of Jesus , also known as St. Teresa of Avila , amazed visitors during a public event. This was the first public viewing since 1914. Public Viewing The event took place at the Basilica Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is located in Alba de Tormes in the Salamanca province. The ceremony marked the beginning of public veneration. It attracted many people. Some visitors were emotional. One woman covered her mouth. Another looked tearful. Others stood in silence and prayed. Condition of Saint's Body Studied St. Teresa died at age 67 in 1582. Her body has stayed mostly incorrupt, according to the Diocese of Avila. Last summer, church officials opened the tomb. Discalced Carmelite monks, nuns and priests participated. They wanted to study relics of her heart, hand and arm. They also compared her current condition with a 1914 photo. Also Read: Doom: The Dark Ages: Early Access date, time across regions, and full game launch date and time. Here's how to preload Visible Signs of Preservation Father Marco Chiesa said the face and foot looked the same as they did in 1914. A professor of anthropology released a 53-page report in March. The report noted that her right foot, left hand, heart and left arm were still preserved. Skin, tissues and muscles had not broken down. Live Events Hair and Eye Remain Intact Reports said her scalp had brown hair. Her right eye still had dark eyelids and an iris. An X-ray analysis was also conducted. It revealed that St. Teresa had multiple chronic conditions. These affected her ability to move. What has preserved the body? Experts believe the tomb's dryness played a role in keeping the body in good condition. Professor Luigi Capasso called it a unique natural occurrence. The church continues to preserve the body for religious and scientific study. FAQs Why is St. Teresa's body still preserved after 400 years? Experts believe the dryness of her tomb and natural conditions helped slow decomposition, allowing her body to remain mostly intact over centuries. Where can people see St. Teresa's remains? The body is currently on display at the Basilica in Alba de Tormes, Spain, as part of a religious veneration ceremony.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Preserved 440-year-old ‘miracle' corpse of Catholic nun Saint Teresa entombed in glass coffin unveiled to crowds
THE STAGGERINGLY well preserved corpse of a 16th century Catholic saint stunned onlookers when it was unveiled to the public. Many faithful Catholics were overwhelmed when the saw the body of St. Teresa of Jesus in Spain over the weekend. 3 3 3 The Discalced Carmelite nun's body was public for the first time since 1914 at the Basilica Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Spain's Salamanca province on Sunday. While visibly skeletal at a glance, parts of the corpse are said to be remarkably well preserved. It came as part of a ceremony of public veneration - which has only taken place three times since the saint's death in 1582, according to The other two ceremonies were many centuries apart - in 1760 and 1914 - making this a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the faithful to pay their respects this way. Several visitors at the Basilica were visibly emotional at the sight of the centuries-old body. One worshipper present was pictured with her hand over her mouth upon catching a glimpse of the saint. Another seemed to be on the verge of tears, while many others were seen praying before St. Teresa's corpse. Discalced Carmelite nuns, monks and priests had opened her coffin so that relics of her heart, hand and arm could be studied. They compared the state of the body to a photo of the same remains from 1914. "The uncovered parts, which are the face and foot, are the same as those they were in 1914," Father Marco Chiesa said. "There is no colour, there is no skin colour, because the skin is mummified, but it is seen, especially in the middle of the face." Who was Saint Teresa of Jesus? Born in 1515, St. Teresa of Jesus was a leading Spanish nun and mystic in the Catholic Church. Also known as St. Teresa of Ávila, she was known as a leading reformer of the Carmelite Orders of monks and nuns. She was the first woman to be granted the honour of Doctor of the Church - marking her out as a significant contributor to Catholic teachings. Despite health problems throughout her life, she became a key spiritual leader during the Counter Reformation - one of the most turbulent episodes of the Church's history. She died in October 1582 and was declared a saint 40 years later in 1622. Researchers have marvelled at the body's incredible state of preservation. The 53-page preliminary report released in March outlined the staggering condition of the corpse, Spanish news outlet Salamanca RTV Al Dia has reported. Professor Luigi Capasso, leader of a team of Italian anthropologists, said: "The right foot, left hand, heart, and left arm are perfectly preserved, with intact skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscles in place, and no signs of degradation." The preservation of her body is likely down to dry environmental factors in the tomb - and no artificial mummification was involved - according to the team. "It's a truly unique natural phenomenon," Professor Capasso added. Saint Teresa of Jesus died aged 67 in 1582 and was canonised - meaning made a saint - by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. Her's is not the only body of a revered Catholic figure to have drawn flocks of the faithful to pay respects. Devotees came this spring to the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi to catch a glimpse of the late Carlo Acutis. Carlo was a Catholic teenager known as "God's influencer", who has since been beatified - meaning he is on the path to sainthood.
