Latest news with #St.Teresa
Time of India
14-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
This 400-year-old Catholic saint's body has amazed scientists with its preservation; discover the science behind
In the past century or so, it was the first time that remains of St. Teresa of Jesus—popularly referred to as St. Teresa of Avila—were being displayed for people to see. The ceremony at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel located in Alba de Tormes, in Salamanca province, of Spain, brought about a glorious moment for devotees of this Catholic saint . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Since 1914, such an exposition by the saint had been done to the public last. This latest development began a new cycle of public adoration and attracted visitors from around the nation. Several in the crowd were clearly overcome. Some prayed silently, while others exhibited raw emotion—one woman put her hand over her mouth in awe, and another seemed to be crying upon viewing the body of the saint. St. Teresa of Avila's enduring legacy and the 2024 tomb examination St. Teresa of Avila, a famous mystic, reformer of the Carmelite order, and Doctor of the Church, died in 1582 at the age of 67. Her theological books and religious legacy have established her as one of the most revered people in Catholic history. Her body has been "mostly incorrupt", a process that still boggles both religious faithful and scientists, according to the Diocese of Avila. During the summer of 2024, church authorities opened up St. Teresa's tomb within a thorough analysis. Discalced Carmelite nuns, monks, and clergy participated in the process, examining her physical state thoroughly. The objective was to analyse the present state of her body and relics—her heart, left arm, and right hand—and to compare them with photographic documentation from the 1914 public exhibition. Scientific analysis confirms rare preservation of St. Teresa of Avila's remains As reported by Father Marco Chiesa, not much has changed in the state of the saint's face and foot since they were last recorded more than 100 years ago. According to ET reports, a comprehensive 53-page anthropological report, published in March 2025, verified this observation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It observed the preservation of key body parts, including: The right foot The left hand The heart The left arm These parts of the body still had identifiable skin, tissue, and muscle structure, all of which are rare in remains of such age. St. Teresa's hair and eye remain intact after 400 years Additional examinations showed that St. Teresa's scalp still had brown hair, and her right eye still had a discernible iris and darkened eyelids. These are very rare indicators of physical preservation in remains of over four centuries. Advanced diagnostic equipment, such as X-ray imaging, was also utilised. The scans identified that St. Teresa had a number of chronic diseases while she was alive, some of which probably restricted her mobility. Whereas some people view St. Teresa's incorrupt body as miraculous, professionals look to natural causes. According to renowned anthropologist Professor Luigi Capasso, the preservation can be attributed to dryness of her tomb, making the environment unsuitable for fungal and bacterial decompositions. He labelled it a "unique natural occurrence," one that has immensely decelerated the natural process of decomposition. The church maintains careful preservation of St. Teresa's body The Catholic Church is still walking a fine line between spiritual veneration of St. Teresa's remains and scientific investigation. Preservation procedures are being upheld to keep the saint's body from environmental and human degradation. Religious circles and academic communities view her remains as priceless—not just as holy relics but also as a subject of continued scientific investigation. Also Read |
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.
New York Post
13-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Incredibly well-preserved corpse of saint who died more than 400 years ago put on display, astonishing emotional visitors
Warning: Graphic images below The incredibly intact remains of a 16th-century Catholic saint who died more than 400 years ago astonished observers when her corpse was put on display in Spain over the weekend. The body of St. Teresa of Jesus, a Discalced Carmelite nun, was unveiled to the public for the first time since 1914 at the Basilica Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca province Sunday. Advertisement 4 A picture taken on May 12, 2025 shows the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus displayed at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca province. AFP via Getty Images The solemn display was part of an opening ceremony of public veneration, according to Exaudi News. One visitor was overwhelmed with emotions as she held her hand over her mouth while another viewer appeared on the verge of tears after laying eyes on the saint, who is also known as St. Teresa of Avila. Advertisement Others prayed in front of her body, according to photos of the scene. The corpse of St. Teresa, who died at 67, has reportedly remained mostly incorrupt since her death in 1582, the Diocese of Avila said last summer when the tomb was opened. The coffin was opened by Discalced Carmelite nuns, monks and priests so relics of her heart, hand and arm could be studied. They looked back at a 1914 photo of the remains to compare St. Teresa's present physical condition. Advertisement 4 Public veneration of the body of St. Teresa of Jesus, in the Convent of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers, on 11 May, 2025 in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca, Castilla y Leon, Spain. Europa Press via Getty Images 'The uncovered parts, which are the face and foot, are the same as those they were in 1914,' Father Marco Chiesa said in a press release. A 53-page preliminary analysis of the body was released in March when an anthropology professor marveled at her condition, according to the Spanish news outlet, Salamanca RTV Al Dia. 'The right foot, left hand, heart and left arm are perfectly preserved, with intact skin, subcutaneous tissues and muscles in place and no signs of degradation,' Italian professor Luigi Capasso reportedly said. Advertisement 4 Faithful view the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alba de Tormes, Salamanca province, on May 12, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 4 The body of Saint Teresa of Jesus is on public display for the first time since 1914. Europa Press via Getty Images Her scalp still had strands of brown hair and her right eye still kept its dark eyelids and iris, the news outlet reported. An X-ray analysis revealed that St. Teresa fought multiple chronic illnesses that limited her range of movement during her life, Salamanca RTV Al Dia also reported this year. The saint's body remains in impressive condition because of the dryness of her tomb, officials have speculated, according to the Spanish outlet. 'It's a truly unique natural phenomenon,' Capasso reportedly said earlier this year.
Fox News
28-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Experts reveal details about a 16th-century Catholic saint found 'perfectly preserved': 'Truly unique'
Researchers are beginning to release details about a 16th-century Catholic saint whose body was found miraculously "incorrupt" last year. St. Teresa of Jesus, also known as St. Teresa of Avila, was a Discalced Carmelite nun who died in 1582. In September, the Diocese of Avila announced that officials had opened her tomb in Alba de Tormes, Spain, for the first time in 110 years, and the results were extraordinary. "The uncovered parts, which are the face and foot, are the same as they were in 1914," Father Marco Chiesa said at the time. "There is no color, there is no skin color, because the skin is mummified, but it is seen, especially in the middle of the face. "[It] looks good," he added. "Expert doctors see Teresa's face almost clearly." According to the Spanish newspaper Salamanca RTV Al Día, Discalced Carmelites received a 53-page preliminary analysis of the saint's condition March 15. The report details the state of the relics, which include her body, left arm and heart in Alba de Tormes. Italian anthropology professor Luigi Capasso described St. Teresa's remains as "perfectly preserved." "The right foot, left hand, heart and left arm are perfectly preserved, with intact skin, subcutaneous tissues and muscles in place and no signs of degradation," Capasso told the outlet. St. Teresa's corpse also maintains preserved strands of brown hair, in addition to one right eyelid and a dark iris, according to the Spanish outlet. Remarkably, some of her nasal tissues were still intact. "This preservation, more than 400 years after her death, transmits a serenity that reflects how she faced her departure," Capasso said. The saint's forehead also still retains the imprint of the saint's 16th-century Carmelite headdress. Researchers chalk up St. Teresa's remarkable condition to the dry atmosphere of her tomb because excessive moisture typically accelerates the decomposing process. Capasso said his team has taken special care to "block any future degradation, mechanical or biological." "It is a truly unique natural phenomenon," the professor said. The newest observations come after the Carmelites released their initial findings last year. After St. Teresa's tomb was opened last summer, experts said they were able to determine her health conditions before she died. "We know that the last few years were difficult for her to walk, in the pains she herself describes," Chiesa said at the time. "Sometimes, looking at a body, you discover more than the person had [spoken about]. "Analyzing [her foot relic located in Rome], we saw the presence of calcareous spines that make walking almost impossible," the priest added. "But she walked [to] Alba de Tormes and then died, but her desire was to continue and move forward despite the physical defects."
