- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 27 May 2025 10:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Centuries after her death, Saint Teresa of Avila continues to inspire thousands of Catholic worshippers. In May, the Spanish town of Alba de Tormes, nestled in the verdant hills of western Spain, became the destination for pilgrims eager to view the saint’s partially preserved body. Her skull, adorned in religious garb, lay in a 4.2-foot-long silver casket, opened to the public for the first time in 111 years.
Parts of Saint Teresa’s body are scattered across Europe in churches, kept as sacred relics. Her heart, too, rests in another part of the same church in Alba de Tormes. The emotional experience of viewing her remains has drawn people from across Spain. "It gave me a feeling of fulfilment, of joy, and of sadness," said Guiomar Sánchez, who travelled from Madrid with her daughters to witness the final day of the exhibition.
Who Was Saint Teresa Of Avila?
Born Teresa Sanchez de Cepeda Ahumada in 1515, she entered the Carmelite order as a young woman and rose to become a central figure in the Catholic Counter-Reformation. She championed the spiritual and monastic reform of the Carmelite order, advocating for a return to poverty, silence, and prayer. Alongside Saint John of the Cross, she founded the Discalced Carmelites, a more austere branch of the original order.
Teresa is renowned for her mystical writings, particularly The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection, which describe stages of spiritual development and the soul’s journey toward divine union. Her works remain key texts in Christian mysticism and contemplative prayer.
Legacy That Lives On
Canonised just 40 years after her death in 1582, Saint Teresa became one of the most influential women in Catholic history. In 1970, she made history again as the first woman to be declared a Doctor of the Church, a title given to saints recognised for their theological significance.
After her death, her body was found incorrupt, a phenomenon the Catholic Church often interprets as a sign of sainthood. Over the years, various parts of her body were separated and distributed as relics, which only added to her mystique. Her body was exhumed multiple times, with disputes over its resting place lasting until Pope Sixtus V ordered it remain in Alba de Tormes in 1586.
Faith Beyond Time
For many, Saint Teresa remains more than a historical figure. Her enduring spiritual legacy, powerful writings, and incorrupt relics continue to draw worshippers and seekers. Over four centuries later, her message of divine love, humility, and contemplation still resonates, perhaps now more than ever.
