Incorrupt Nun's 295th Anniversary Draws Thousands to La Laguna

Thousands of people gathered in La Laguna, Tenerife, yesterday to honor Sister María de Jesús Delgado, known as "La Siervita." This event marked 295 years since her death and once again showed her lasting spiritual appeal. Her incorrupt body holds deep importance in Catholic tradition and for many devoted followers.

Starting at 5 AM, many people lined up outside the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena in central La Laguna. Throughout the day, the queues of devotees stretched a long way, from the convent all the way to the Casa de los Capitanes, as they waited to pay their respects to the revered nun. The day ended with an evening church service led by Bishop Eloy Lorenzo. The mayors of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, and El Sauzal, Mariano Pérez, were also there. They jointly placed flowers before the nun's remains; she is believed to have performed several miracles.

Sister María de Jesús was born in El Sauzal in 1643. After her parents died, she moved to La Laguna. There, she joined the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, where she lived her religious life until her death on February 15, 1731, at the age of 88. Three years after she died, her body was exhumed and found to be incorrupt – a state that Catholics interpret as a sign of holiness. Since then, her remains have been placed in a beautifully decorated coffin in the lower choir of the La Laguna convent, and people come to venerate them annually on February 15th.

Visitors can also see "La Siervita" at the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena until next Sunday, the 22nd, with visiting hours from 7 AM to 8:30 PM. Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, the mayor of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, emphasized La Siervita's importance to the municipality. He noted that she attracts many devotees from early morning, who travel from various parts of the island and even from other countries, all coming to visit and pay homage to Sister María de Jesús's incorrupt body.