PLEASE NOTE

1) In order to be able to consult the Positio please fill in the request form on this page.

2) If your request is accepted, we will then send you the conditions and directions for consulting the document.

1. The canonical norms concerning the procedure to be followed in the Causes of Saints are stated in the Apostolic Constitution Divinus Perfectionis Magister promulgated by John Paul II on 25 January 1983 (AAS LXXV, 1983, 349-355).

2. To initiate a Cause it is necessary that at least five years pass after the death of the candidate. This is to allow for greater balance and objectivity in the evaluation of the case and to allow the emotions of the moment to decant. There must be a clear conviction among people about his/her sanctity (fama sanctitas) and about the efficacy of his/her intercession with the Lord (fama signorum).

Anne-Marie Martel was born in Le Puy-en-Velay on Thursday, 11 August 1644. She was baptised two days later and grew up with her brothers and sisters in a Christian family, receiving an excellent education. In 1666, the parish priest, Mr Tronson, a Sulpician, sent her on a mission to help the poor, including hospice residents, lace-makers, street children, beggars, pilgrims, and peasants. She shared this mission with her companions, working together to help everyone discover that they were 'loved by God'. As a laywoman who had taken a vow of chastity, she dedicated her life to God and the poor, as expressed in her prayer: 'Lord, may all my pleasure be in pleasing you'.

She died of exhaustion on 15 January 1673.

Without realising it, Anne-Marie had founded the 'Work of Instruction'.

On 21 May 1676, Monseigneur de Béthune, the Bishop of Le Puy, officially authorised this work, giving it canonical status and entrusting its direction to the Sulpicians.

For historical reasons, the 'Demoiselles de l'Instruction' became known as the 'Sœurs de l'Instruction de l'Enfant-Jésus'.

Following in the footsteps of Christ and guided by Anne-Marie Martel's vision, the Sisters of the Infant Jesus embody their charism: 'Love of the Father and of our brothers and sisters, at the service of awakening and deepening the faith'.

Today, the spiritual family of the Enfant-Jésus brings together sisters, associates, friends, the Anne-Marie Martel fraternity and school leaders in seven countries, all under the supervision of the Congregation.

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

On Tuesday, March 18, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints will hold the opening of the diocesan inquiry into an alleged miracle attributed to the Servant of God Maria Cristina of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (born Maria Cristina de los Reyes Olivera, 1890-1980), a professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and foundress of the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in San Fernando, Cádiz (Spain).

On Saturday 29 March, the diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia will hold the closing session of the diocesan inquiry into an alleged miracle attributed to the Servant of God Maria Eletta di Gesù (born Caterina Tramazzoli, 1605-1663), a professed nun of the Discalced Carmelite Order.