On Sunday, 15th of February, from 5 a.m. onwards, the doors of the Santa Catalina convent in La Laguna will be opened for the faithful and the curious to queue around the block for the chance to view the uncorrupted body of Sor María de Jesús (Sister Maria of Jesus) (1643 - 1731), popularly known as La Siervita.
María de León Bello y Delgado was born in El Sauzal on March 23rd, 1643 and entered the convent in February of 1668. She spent a year as a novice, then took up the habit full-time for the rest of her life. Contemporary texts apparently claim that shortly before she died, she "fell into ecstasy", while retaining a pulse for more than 24 hours. In January 1734, she was exhumed and her remains found to be intact, with wet clothes, flexible and a natural colour, it's said.
The luxurious glass-covered coffin she can be seen in was donated by La Laguna born pirate, Amaro Pargo, her friend in life and benefactor of the convent.
However, we learn that the body is located ten meters away from where viewers are able to pass and the lighting isn't too good. And despite numerous claims, there are no scientifically verified cases of genuine incorruptibility.
But as this post points out, "to be able to spend almost 300 years right next door to La Laguna town hall and still remain "uncorrupted" is a worthy miracle." :)
0 Comments:
Post a Comment