Recently, the tomb of a medieval Catholic saint was opened to allow experts to conduct research. However, when the tomb was uncovered, the researchers were shocked by the remarkably good condition of the body of St. Teresa of Jesus. The saint, also referred to as St. Teresa of Avila, was a Discalced Carmelite nun who died in 1582.
The diocese in which the saint’s tomb, which hasn’t been opened since 1914 is located in Spain. Furthermore, reports indicate that St. Teresa’s tomb had “remained incorrupt since 1582.” Now, a group of Discalced Carmelite nuns, monks, and priests seek to study the relics that are adorned on the saint’s arms.
“The process to reach the silver urn that Saint Teresa’s body has is very complex,” a translation of a press release from the Diocese of Avila said. The release continued, “First, the marble slab in the tomb had to be removed. Later, in the room set up for the studies to which the Saint’s major relics will be subjected – and only with the presence of the scientific medical team and the members of the ecclesiastical court – has the silver tomb been opened.”
Fr. Marco Chiesa spoke at the astounding condition that the body remained in, which reportedly has not changed since 1914. “The uncovered parts, which are the face and foot, are the same as those they were in 1914,” Chiesa said. “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.”
He continued, “[It] looks good. Expert doctors see Teresa’s face almost clearly.” Chiesa further added, “We know that the last few years were difficult for her to walk, in the pains she herself describes.” He continued, “Sometimes, looking at a body, you discover more than the person had [spoken about].”
“Analyzing the foot [relic] in Rome, we saw the presence of calcareous spines that make walking almost impossible,” the priest continued. “But she walked [to] Alba de Tormes and then died, but her desire was to continue and move forward, despite the physical defects.” He then said, “We know, from similar studies, that we will be able to know data of great interest from Teresa and also recommendations for the conservation of the relics, but that will be at another stage,” the priest said.
In other news regarding historical aspects of Christianity, The Christian Tribune reported on a major archeological find that affirmed a Biblical account in Jerusalem nearly 2,700 years ago. Researchers discovered a rare stone relic that was found by an Israeli excavation.
“The figure of a winged man in a distinct Neo-Assyrian style is unique and very rare in the glyphic styles of the late First Temple period. The influence of the Assyrian Empire, which had conquered the entire region, is clearly evident here,” excavation directors Dr. Yuval Baruch and Navot Rom said. “Contrary to what may be commonly thought, it seems that literacy in this period was not the realm only of society’s elite. People knew how to read and write – at least at the basic level, for the needs of commerce.”
Featured image credit: Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Joseph%27s_Catholic_Church_(Central_City,_Kentucky)_-_stained_glass,_St._Theresa_of_%C3%81vila_detail.jpg