Saint Teresa of Jesus will be present in a singular way at the historic celebration of Corpus Christi that Leo XIV will preside over this Sunday in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles before more than one and a half million faithful. During the Eucharist, the Pope will use a valuable 19th-century chalice engraved with the image of the great Carmelite reformer alongside other prominent figures of the Christian tradition.
According to information released by the Diocese of Ávila, the piece chosen for the celebration is the so-called “Chalice of Queen Mercedes,” a notable work of neo-Gothic goldsmithery that, in addition to its artistic and historical value, now acquires special symbolism due to the presence of the saint from Ávila in one of the largest religious gatherings ever remembered in Spain.
A gift from Queen Mercedes to the Religious of the Assumption
The history of the chalice dates back to the 19th century. The piece was commissioned by María de las Mercedes de Orleans y Borbón, wife of Alfonso XII and queen consort of Spain, as a token of affection for the Religious of the Assumption, the congregation where she had completed part of her studies in Paris.
The relationship between the future queen and the religious sisters was especially close. In fact, the congregation’s archives preserve a letter in which María de las Mercedes informed one of her former teachers of her upcoming marriage to Alfonso XII.
As a memento of that bond, the queen commissioned the prestigious Ansorena house to create a chalice of extraordinary artistic richness. The work stands out for its neo-Gothic style, characteristic of the late 19th century, and for its careful ornamentation combining enamels, gemstones, and vegetal motifs.
Saint Teresa among the figures represented
At the base of the chalice, several figures especially venerated in the Catholic tradition are depicted. Alongside a crucified Christ appear the Immaculate Conception, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Cecilia martyr, Saint Rita of Cascia, and Saint Teresa of Jesus.
The presence of the saint from Ávila takes on special relevance in an international celebration presided over by the Successor of Peter. Her image will accompany the Pontiff precisely during the central moment of the Mass.
From the religious sisters’ heritage to the Pope’s altar
The recent history of the piece is also singular.
In March 2022, coinciding with the celebration in Madrid of the General Plenary Council of the Religious of the Assumption, the congregation decided to donate both the chalice and an associated monstrance of the same historical tradition to the then Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Carlos Osoro.
The gesture was intended to recognize the fifty years of priesthood of the Asturian prelate, who presided over the inaugural Eucharist of the meeting and later shared a day of fellowship with religious sisters who had come from various countries across the four continents.
Subsequently, both pieces became part of the heritage of the Cathedral of the Almudena, where they are currently preserved.
The chalice and monstrance that Leo XIV will use
The celebration of Corpus Christi will allow these two historic pieces to be viewed together.
The chalice will be used by Leo XIV during the Eucharistic consecration, while the monstrance will hold the consecrated host once Communion has concluded.
According to the planned program, the Pontiff will lead the prayer after Communion, incense the Blessed Sacrament, and head the Eucharistic procession through the center of Madrid. At the end of the route, he will again perform adoration and the solemn blessing with the monstrance.
In this way, two objects born from the relationship between Queen Mercedes and the Religious of the Assumption will once again occupy a central place in the celebration.
Leo XIV’s connection with Saint Teresa
The last trip that Robert Francis Prevost made to Spain before being elected Pope had Ávila as its destination. In October 2024, he visited the birthplace of Saint Teresa and the basilica dedicated to the saint, leaving a record of his visit in the sanctuary’s guestbook.
Months later, already as Leo XIV, he will symbolically meet her again during a celebration centered on the Eucharistic mystery. When the Pontiff raises the chalice during the Corpus Christi Mass in Plaza de Cibeles, millions of faithful will contemplate a piece of extraordinary historical and artistic value. Engraved on it will also be the image of the saint who turned Ávila into one of the great spiritual centers of Christendom.