St. Teresa’s relics on rare public display, 510 years after her birth

For the first time since 1914, and the longest time since her death, the relics of St. Teresa of Ávila are on public display, offering the faithful a rare chance to connect physically and pray with the great Spanish mystic and reformer. These relics, including fragments of her bones, heart, and personal items, will be accessible at the Convent of the Annunciation in Alba de Tormes, marking the 510th anniversary of her birth this past March 28 in 1515, and drawing pilgrims from around the world.

This event is just the third time in the 443 years since her death that her relics have been made available for public veneration and on previous occasions, the display was only for a matter of hours. In 1760, her tomb was opened for 7 hours, and in 1914, it was opened for a day. That year, it had been previously opened for private veneration.

This exhibition comes just weeks after scientists revealed striking new details about the physical toll of St. Teresa’s remarkable life. Recent radiographic studies of her bones show severe osteopenia and osteoporosis, with her thoracic and lumbar vertebrae bearing the characteristic “fish vertebrae” shape of advanced bone loss. Even more striking is the severe spinal curvature, or kyphosis, that likely bent her forward, restricting her breathing and making rest difficult.

Her knees reveal advanced osteoarthritis, particularly in her left joint, where the cartilage had entirely worn away, leaving bone to grind against bone. This, combined with subcalcaneal spurs from chronic plantar fasciitis and signs of a probable ingrown toenail on her right foot, would have made each step a painful act of endurance.

The scans also revealed a distinctive enthesopathy in her right arm, a tendon injury consistent with the repetitive strain of writing. This physical marker of her prolific output adds a new, human dimension to her legacy as one of the most influential writers in Christian history.

Amidst these signs of suffering, one relic stands out: her heart. Despite post-mortem incisions for relic extraction, it shows no signs of disease, a fitting symbol for a woman whose faith remained strong despite immense physical hardship.

Fr. Miguel Ángel González, prior of Alba de Tormes and Salamanca, shared with Salamanca al Día his hope that this rare opportunity will deepen devotion and inspire visitors. “May these relics enrich us with the example of her life,” he said, emphasizing the enduring power of St. Teresa’s spirit.

With the relics on display through her birthday, the coming days offer a unique chance to stand in the physical presence of one of Christianity’s most remarkable women and to draw strength from her exemplary life.

Visit the slideshow below to see the saint’s face reconstruction, as based both on forensics and historical testimonies.