By Charles Igwe
On August 28, the silver coffin of St. Teresa of Ávila was opened in Alba de Tormes, Spain, revealing that her body remains incorrupt since her death in 1582. The opening, carried out for a study of her relics by Italian doctors and scientists with Vatican approval, marked the first time her tomb had been opened in 110 years.
Father Marco Chiesa, postulator general of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, announced that the body of St. Teresa remains in the same condition as it was when last examined in 1914. This remarkable discovery further confirms the incorrupt state of the Spanish nun’s body, who is renowned as a great mystic, author of spiritual classics, and the foundress of the Carmelite reform.
St. Teresa of Ávila, declared a doctor of the church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, was the first woman to be honored with this title. She restored the contemplative nature of Carmelite life and is regarded as one of the Catholic Church’s most significant religious women.
The process of opening her tomb was complex. A marble slab first had to be removed before the reliquaries containing her remains could be transferred to a study room. The Discalced Carmelite community, along with members of the ecclesiastical tribunal and the general postulator, participated in the solemn transfer, singing the Te Deum during the process.
Only the scientific medical team and members of the ecclesiastical court were present when the silver coffin was opened. Scholars were struck by the excellent condition of St. Teresa’s body and praised the craftsmanship of her tomb, a gift from King Ferdinand VI and Queen Barbara of Braganza.
The intricate opening of the tomb involved the use of 10 keys, kept in different locations, including three in Alba de Tormes, three with the Duke of Alba, three with the father general in Rome, and one held by the King of Spain. Each set of keys was required to unlock different layers of the tomb, including the outer gate, the marble tomb, and the silver coffin.
Father Chiesa shared that a first examination of her body revealed the physical hardships St. Teresa endured in her later years, particularly difficulty walking, which she had described in her writings. An analysis in Rome showed the presence of calcareous thorns in her feet, which would have made walking nearly impossible. Despite this, she persisted, demonstrating her unwavering strength and faith.
While conclusive results are not yet available, Chiesa expressed optimism that the study will yield valuable insights into St. Teresa’s life and provide guidance on preserving her relics for future generations.
