Yesterday, 14 April, during the Audience granted to His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Supreme Pontiff authorised this same Dicastery to promulgate a number of Decrees, including the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Eliswa of the Blessed Mary Virgin (born Eliswa Vakayil). Foundress of the Congregation of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites, now the Teresian Carmelite Sisters, Eliswa Vakayil was born on 15 October 1831 in Ochanthuruth (India) and died in Varapuzha (India) on 18 July 1913.

Dall’11 al 25 maggio p.v. verranno esposti alla pubblica venerazione i resti di S. Teresa di Gesù nella chiesa delle Carmelitane Scalze di Alba de Tormes. In preparazione a tale evento, pubblichiamo di seguito la relazione scientifica scritta dal Prof. Capasso che ha curato e diretto l’aspetto scientifico della Ricognizione canonica.

Relazione scientifica

• Bronze bust: 7,500.00 EUR + VAT (+ shipping) or 6,500.00 if ordering 6 or more copies.
• Resin bust (painted as bronze): 3.900,00 EUR + VAT (+ shipping)
• Life-size bronze statue (1.7 metres high): EUR 35,000.00 + VAT (+ shipping) + plinth, the cost of which depends on the material requested.

For orders, please ask the General Postulation OCD by filling out the form on the website.

28^th March 2025
510^th anniversary of the birth of Saint Teresa of Jesus

On 28 August 2024, in Alba de Tormes (Spain), the long process of identification and study of the mortal remains of Saint Teresa of Jesus began. It will culminate with the public exhibition from 11 to 25 May and the subsequent closure of the tomb.

On this occasion, numerous and meticulous examinations were conducted under the responsibility of Professors Luigi Capasso, Ruggero D'Anastasio and Dr. Jacopo Cilli of the ‘Gabriele d'Annunzio’ University of Chieti-Pescara (Italy). On the basis of the information gathered, the Generalate of the Discalced Carmelites decided to proceed with the scientific reconstruction of the face of Saint Teresa of Avila, using the most modern techniques.

This facial reconstruction (also known as ‘approximation’) was carried out by Forensic Sculptor Jennifer Mann of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (Monash University, Victoria, Australia): it combined the forensic methodologies currently used in the United States and the United Kingdom and was based on the anthropometric data and X-rays provided by the University of Chieti. The photographs are by Jennifer Mann and the videos by Paul Burston.

The artists authorize the publication and printing of these images with the following credits: for the photographs ‘Sculpture and photos by Jennifer Mann’ and for the videos ‘Sculpture by Jennifer Mann/Videos by Paul Burston’, all rights retained. Soon, copies of the bust of Saint Theresa will be available in the original dimensions, in bronze or resin. To order, please contact the Postulation General OCD.

P. Marco Chiesa
Postulator General OCD