Upon opening the tomb of St Teresa, an important personality for Christian believers, scientists found her body had remained incorrupt, 110 years after her burial. The body of St. Teresa will be examined during a four-day investigation.
Father Marco Chiesa of the Carmelite Monastery of Alba de Tormes said this week: “Today the tomb of St Teresa was opened and we have verified that it is in the same condition as when it was last opened in 1914.”
He added that the aim of the research is to “check aspects of the saint's life such as her illnesses and problems, as well as the state of conservation of the body to see how to intervene to preserve it over the centuries.”
Father Chiesa continued, saying it was a question of “getting to know the saint better, her offering, her last years of life defined by pain.
“It has already been detected that she suffered from calcaneal spur in her foot, which made it impossible for her to walk, but she walked and reached Alba de Tormes and her desire was to continue but it was physically difficult.”
According to reports, St. Teresa's heart, an arm, and a hand are to be examined.
The silver coffin was opened by goldsmiths Ignacio Manzano Martín and Constantino Martín Jaén.
From August 28, researchers will take photographs and use X-rays to study the remains.
After studying the remains, researchers will publish the results of their research.
Once the research is complete, the tomb will be closed and sealed by the goldsmiths.
This will ensure the remains cannot be disturbed again.