Pilgrims from around the world have gathered in Alba de Tormes, Spain, to venerate the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus, exhibited publicly for the third time since her death in 1582. The faithful have come to the Basilica of the Annunciation, attached to the convent of the Carmelite nuns, to pray and seek the saint’s intercession.
Father Joseph Kirkconnell, a priest from the Archdiocese of Detroit, expressed his feelings after praying before the relics, saying it deepened his desire for intimacy with God and profound prayer. A group of French Catholic school students, including Muslim students, were also moved by the experience, finding it “very emotional” to see the well-preserved body of the saint.
Many pilgrims, including families and individuals, have traveled from different parts of the world to witness this extraordinary occasion. Maricruz, a Spanish Catholic, brought her family, including her infant son, to venerate the saint, calling it a “historic moment.” Volunteers, like young disc jockey Iker González, have been assisting the Discalced Carmelites during these days, with some even carrying images of Saint Teresa with them.
The exhibition of the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus has drawn large crowds, with many expressing their devotion and gratitude for the opportunity to pray before the relics of one of the most important women in the Catholic Church.