To mark the 510th anniversary of Saint Teresa of Jesus’ birth, a scientific reconstruction of her face was unveiled at the Basilica of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, where her body rests.
Newsroom (31/03/2025 Gaudium Press) On March 28, the presentation of the facial reconstruction of Saint Teresa of Jesus took place in Alba de Tormes, Rome, and Australia. This sculpture, based on the study of her relics, depicts Saint Teresa at the age of 50, coinciding with her early years of reform at the Convent of San José de Ávila.
The Study Behind the Reconstruction
According to experts Professor Ruggero D’Anastasio (Italy) and forensic expert Jennifer Mann (Australia), this sculpture represents the most faithful facial reconstruction of Saint Teresa. The face reflects serenity, introspection, strength, and profound humanity. This reconstruction highlights her as not just a physical figure but as the contemplative soul who transformed the Carmelite Order and the Church.
A Symbol of Science and Mysticism
At the age of 50, Saint Teresa was undergoing a spiritual transformation that would define her legacy. Father Miguel Ângelo González, Prior of the OCD in Alba de Tormes and Salamanca, described the reconstruction as “a true effigy that unites science and mysticism.” Father Francisco Sánchez Oreja, OCD Provincial of the Discalced Carmelites Province, expressed that this face invites us to rediscover Saint Teresa’s relevant message of humanity, faith, and spirituality.
The 510th Anniversary of Saint Teresa’s Birth
This year marks the 510th anniversary of Saint Teresa of Jesus’s birth. On August 28, 2024, the long-awaited study and recognition of her remains began in Alba de Tormes. The process will culminate with a public exhibition, showcasing the scientific studies that led to the face reconstruction.
The Forensic Process and Artists Behind the Reconstruction
The reconstruction, known as forensic approximation, was done by Professor Jennifer Mann from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, using advanced techniques from the USA and the UK. Photos were taken by Jennifer Mann, and the videos were filmed by Paul Burston. This initiative was made possible through the efforts of professors Luigi Capasso, Ruggero D’Anastasio, and Dr. Jacopo Cilli, who managed the examinations of the remains.
Future Plans for the Busts of Saint Teresa
Soon, it will be possible to purchase full-size copies of the bust of Saint Teresa, either in bronze or resin, through the General Postulation of the Discalced Carmelites. Saint Teresa of Jesus’s legacy continues to inspire, and thanks to modern science and art, her face once again speaks to the world, inviting us to delve deeper into her mysticism and spirituality.
Compiled by Donna Smolders
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