Antique Catholic Relic – Textile Devotional Relic Touched to the Sacred Heart and Arm of Saint Teresa of Jesus

A rare and beautifully preserved antique Catholic devotional relic associated with Saint Teresa of Jesus (Saint Teresa of Ávila), one of the great saints and Doctors of the Catholic Church.

The original Spanish inscription on the reverse reads:

“Corazones tocados al Santo Corazon y Brazo de Nuestra Madre Santa Teresa de Jesus.”

Meaning:

“Hearts touched to the Sacred Heart and Arm of Our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus.”

The devotional object consists of a small red textile heart, delicately outlined with a fine metallic thread and preserved within an original folded paper presentation.

The Spanish inscription identifies the heart as a devotional object associated with contact with the Sacred Heart and the arm of Saint Teresa of Jesus. The combination of the textile element, original paper enclosure and historical inscription makes this a particularly fascinating example of traditional Catholic relic devotion.

The reverse and interior show considerable age, including natural discoloration, foxing and handwritten annotations, giving the piece an especially authentic historical character.

A wonderful collectible for those interested in Saint Teresa of Ávila, Carmelite history, Catholic relics, Spanish devotional objects and historical religious ephemera.

Details

• Subject: Saint Teresa of Jesus / Saint Teresa of Ávila
• Religious Order: Discalced Carmelites
• Relic / devotional object: Red textile heart
• Inscription: Spanish
• Inscription meaning: Hearts touched to the Sacred Heart and Arm of Saint Teresa of Jesus
• Type: Antique Catholic contact relic / devotional object
• Material: Textile, metallic thread and paper
• Size: approx. 8 × 11 cm overall
• Origin: Spanish Carmelite devotional tradition
• Condition: Antique condition with age-related toning, foxing, discoloration, folds and wear to the paper enclosure. The textile heart remains preserved; please see photographs.

Collector's Note

The original Spanish inscription is an important feature of this piece. It specifically describes the textile heart as having been touched to the Sacred Heart and the arm of Saint Teresa of Jesus.

No separate certificate of authenticity is included, so the relic should be presented as identified and described by its original devotional inscription, rather than as independently authenticated.