ALBA DE TORMES, Spain (AP) — In a notable event this month, Saint Teresa of Ávila's remains were displayed to the public in an open silver coffin, drawing a silent, wonderstruck crowd of worshippers. The display took place in Alba de Tormes, a town surrounded by rolling pastures in western Spain, more than 440 years after the saint's death in 1582. This rare opportunity to view the revered 16th-century saint, mystic, and religious reformer attracted nearly 100,000 visitors over two weeks, according to Miguel Ángel González, the prior of the Discalced Carmelites of Salamanca.
Many people traveled to see the saint's remains, including Guiomar Sánchez from Madrid, who expressed feelings of fulfillment, joy, and sadness while admiring the display. Accompanied by her two daughters, Sánchez sought to honor her mother’s belief in Saint Teresa and praised the mystic's writings as remarkably ahead of their time. Sánchez described the experience as "inexplicable," underscoring the deep emotional impact of this rare event.
On the morning following the exhibit's conclusion, the saint’s coffin was ceremoniously resealed and carried through the streets of Alba de Tormes, followed by a procession of pilgrims. The duration until the next public viewing of Saint Teresa’s remains remains uncertain, as the last display had occurred in 1914, when devotees were given just a single day to pay their respects.
The coffin containing the saint's remains measures slightly over 1.3 meters (4 feet) in length. Within the coffin, a skull dressed in a religious habit is visible, while vestments cover other parts of the saint's body, which are not entirely intact. Furthermore, officials revealed that Saint Teresa's heart is preserved in a separate part of the church, with additional relics, including fingers, a hand, and a jaw, housed in various churches across Europe.
Saint Teresa is a pivotal figure from Spain’s Golden Age and was a key player in the 16th-century Counter-Reformation. Her profound explorations of spirituality and meditations on her relationship with God have been both contentious and revered, representing a significant contribution to spiritual literature. José Calvo, a professor of theology at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, notes that her writings have been regarded over the centuries as a profound treatise on spirituality.
Throughout history, many have venerated Saint Teresa, including former Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco, who reportedly kept a relic of the saint's hand at his bedside. Recently, Pope Leo XIV visited Saint Teresa's birthplace in Ávila, located about an hour's drive from Alba de Tormes, highlighting the ongoing reverence for her legacy.
The display has also sparked online discussions about the macabre nature of gathering around the centuries-old skull of Saint Teresa. However, church officials and experts have dismissed such reactions, emphasizing that this practice aligns with the traditional Catholic reverence for saints throughout history. Cathleen Medwick, author of "Teresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul," explained that viewing the remains of a saint has long been a customary practice, and the preservation of the body is often interpreted as a sign of sanctity.
Many worshippers visiting the exhibit were visibly moved. A group of nuns from India was seen wiping away tears as they looked at the saint's remains behind the glass case. Additionally, Gregoria Martín López, a 75-year-old devotee, expressed her deep admiration for the saint as she sought a better view of the skull and blew a kiss to the relic as music played in the church. This emotional connection demonstrates the lasting impact and devotion that Saint Teresa of Ávila continues to inspire in her followers.
