The Holy Face Devotion (www.holyface.org.uk)
The devotion in honor of the Holy Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Gazing upon the face of Christ crucified unites us with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
"Every time My Face is contemplated I will pour out My Love into the hearts of those persons, and by means of My Holy Face the salvation of many souls will be obtained."
(Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)
(Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)
Our Lord, in visions to Sister Marie of Saint Peter, requested that a devotion to His Holy Face be established. He gave her the Golden Arrow prayer as a remedy to the "poisoned arrows" of blasphemy. Later, Sister Pierina, was urged to spread the devotion and to have a medal cast.
The Feast of the Holy Face was established by Pope Pius XII upon Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent). A beautiful novena in honor of the Holy Face may be said on the nine previous days, culminating on the feast day.
Two miraculous images are associated with the Holy Face Devotion - Veronica's Veil, said to be the cloth used by Saint Veronica to wipe the face of Jesus during his passion; and the Holy Shroud of Turin, believed by the faithful to be burial cloth of Christ, which despite being the most scientifically studied object ever, still baffles scientists.
Devotion to the Holy Face centres around the Consecration of the Home, as confirmed by Saint Pius X. As revealed to Sister Pierina, Tuesday is a day of reparation to the Holy Face, in front of the Blessed Sacrament. With the wearing of the medal, (or Holy Face Scapular), one completes the consecration to the Holy Face and gains the blessings promised.
In Tours, France during the 1840's a young Carmelite nun, Sister Marie of St Peter, received a series of revelations from Our Lord about a powerful devotion He wished to be established worldwide - the devotion to his Holy Face. The express purpose of this devotion was to make reparation for the blasphemies and outrages of 'Revolutionary men' (the Communists), as well as for the blasphemies of atheists and freethinkers and others, plus, for blasphemy and the profanation of Sundays by Christians. This devotion is also an instrument given to the individual devotee as a seemingly unfailing method of appealing to God in prayer - through adoration of His Holy Face and Name.
The following prayer was dictated by our Lord Himself to Sister Marie of St Peter. Opening His Heart to her, our Saviour complained of blasphemy, saying that this frightful sin wounds His divine Heart more grievously than all other sins, for it was like a "poisoned arrow".
After that, our Saviour dictated the following prayer, which he called "The Golden Arrow", saying that those who would recite this prayer would pierce Him delightfully, and also heal those other wounds inflicted on Him by the malice of sinners. This prayer is regarded as the very basis of the Work of Reparation.
PRAYER OF REPARATION IN PRAISE OF THE HOLY NAME OF GOD ENTITLED "THE GOLDEN ARROW"
May the most Holy, most Sacred, most Adorable, Most Incomprehensible and Ineffable Name of God Be always Praised, Blessed, Loved, Adored and Glorified, In Heaven, on Earth and in Hell, By all the Creatures of God, And by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, In the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.
The Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli, a holy nun who died in 1945, was urged in many visions by the Blessed Mother and Jesus Himself to spread the devotion to the Holy Face, in reparation for the many insults Jesus suffered in His Passion, such as to be slapped, spit upon and kissed by Judas, as well as now being dishonoured in many ways in the Blessed Sacrament by neglect, sacrileges and profanations. She was given a medal, which on one side bore a replica of the Holy Shroud and the inscription: “Illumina, Domine, vultum tuum super nos”. - Ps. 4:6 “May, O Lord, the light of Thy countenance shine upon us”.) On the reverse side was a radiant Host, with the words, “Mane nobiscum, Domine”. – “Stay with us, O Lord” Luke 24:29. After great difficulties, Sister Pierina obtained permission to the have the medal cast. Even the expenses for the casting were miraculously met when she found on her desk an envelope with the exact amount of the bill – 11,2000 lire. The evil spirit showed his chagrin and rage at the medals by flinging them down and burning the pictures of the Sacred Face, and beating Sister Pierina savagely. In 1940, when the Second World War had the world in turmoil, Italy saw a wide distribution of this medal. Relatives and friends saw that their soldiers, sailors and aviators were provided with the replica of the Holy Face of Jesus since the medal was already famous for its miracles and countless spiritual and temporal favours. In the words of Our Lord to Sister Pierina: “By My Holy Face you will obtain the conversion of numberless sinners. Nothing that you ask in making this offering will be refused you. According to the care you take in making reparation To My Face, disfigured by blasphemers, I will take care of yours, which has been disfigured by sin. I will reprint on it My Image, and render it as beautiful as it was on leaving the Baptismal Font. I promise personal and spiritual protection to all who venerate this medal.”Sister Pierina was beatified on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome - the first beatification ever held within its walls. Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, celebrated the ceremony, in representation of Pope Benedict XVI. Mother Maria Pierina - Beatification
On the 30th of May, 2010, the beatification of venerable Mother Pierina de Micheli took place in Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Italy.
Prayer of Mother Maria Pierina
O Blessed Face of my kind Savior, by the tender love and piercing sorrow of Our Lady as she beheld you in your cruel Passion, grant us to share in this intense sorrow and love so as to fulfill the holy will of God to the utmost of our ability. Amen.
The Holy Face of Jesus from the image on Veronica's veil said to be the cloth used by Saint Veronica to wipe the face of Christ during His Passion. Our Lord specifically mentioned Veronica's act of compassion and reverence when he made ten promises to Sister Marie of Saint Peter. The following picture is a painting of Veronica's veil, now kept in St Peter's Basilica, Rome.
The imagery of the Turin shroud only became accessible with the advent of photography, whereby the negative image of the shroud clearly showed the face that millions believe to be the face of Christ. Prior to this, the image of Veronica's Veil was the only 'true' depiction of Christ's face available. This image, or another painting of Veronica's Veil, would probably have been used by Sister Marie of St Peter as part of the devotion to the Holy Face which Our Lord asked her to establish.
The Sacri Vultus - Holy Face Relic is one of a number of images that were created and actually touched to Veronica's veil in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Since the miracle in 1849 in the Vatican, when Veronica's veil became very vivid and glowed in front of all present while on display, it became a custom in the Vatican to display Veronica's veil every year afterward on Passion Sunday for veneration to the public. Each year, effigies/drawings were created of Veronica's veil (usually about 15" x 12"), then touched to the original veil, to a relic of the true cross, and to the spear that pierced Christ's side. From there, a text description was placed at the bottom (or on the back) of the relic, and the Pope imprinted a wax seal on each. This practice was continued for about 50 years.
This particular relic in common with the others has the words, "VERA EFFIGIES SACRI VULTUS DOMINI NOSTRI JESU CHRISTI, QUAE ROMAE IN SACROSANCTA BASILICA S.PETRI IN VATICANO RELIGIOSISSIME ASSERVATUR ET COLITUR" which translates to, "True image of the face of Our Lord Jesus Christ venerated in Rome in the Most Holy Basilica of St. Peter". The stamp from the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face in Tours, France reads, "ORATOIRE DE LA SAINTE FACE - TOURS".
Below the relic is a document which reads as follows:
SACROSANCTAE BASILICAE
PRINCIPIS APOSTOLORUM DE URBE
CANONICUS
Universis praesentes litteras inspecturis fidem facio, ac testor me Imaginem Vultus DOMINI NOSTRI JESU CHRISTI ad instar Sanctissimi Sudarii Veronicoe in tela ......albi coloris impressam, altitudinis hunc......latitudinis hunc.....reverenter applicasse eidem Sudario. nec non Ligno vivificae Crucis et Lanceae Domini cuspidi, quae n praedicta nostra Basilica religiosissime, ac pluribus Summorum Pontificum Diplomatibus, maximaque populorum veneratione celebrantur. In quorum fidem praedictam Imaginem et has praesentes litteras meo sigillo obsignavi et subscripsi. Datum ex aedibus meis Die. (handwritten date here)
PRINCIPIS APOSTOLORUM DE URBE
CANONICUS
Universis praesentes litteras inspecturis fidem facio, ac testor me Imaginem Vultus DOMINI NOSTRI JESU CHRISTI ad instar Sanctissimi Sudarii Veronicoe in tela ......albi coloris impressam, altitudinis hunc......latitudinis hunc.....reverenter applicasse eidem Sudario. nec non Ligno vivificae Crucis et Lanceae Domini cuspidi, quae n praedicta nostra Basilica religiosissime, ac pluribus Summorum Pontificum Diplomatibus, maximaque populorum veneratione celebrantur. In quorum fidem praedictam Imaginem et has praesentes litteras meo sigillo obsignavi et subscripsi. Datum ex aedibus meis Die. (handwritten date here)
Anno Domini MDCCCLXXXIV
XIV Indictione Pontificatus SS mi D. N. Leonis XIII
Pont. Max. anno VII.
XIV Indictione Pontificatus SS mi D. N. Leonis XIII
Pont. Max. anno VII.
An approximate translation of this text to English is as follows:
TRUE COPY OF THE SACRED FACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
HERE IN ROME AS IN ST PETER'S RENOWNED AND VENERATED BASILICA IN ROME A STATEMENT FROM THE FIRST HOLY BASILICA OF THE CHIEF APOSTLE. BY THIS LETTER I HAVE DECLARED AS A WITNESS AND I TESTIFY THAT THIS IMAGE
OF THE FACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO THAT ON THE TOWEL OF VERONICA, EXPRESSED IN WHITE COLOUR, OF THE SAME HEIGHT AND BREADTH, AND (it has been) REVERENTLY APPLIED TO THE SAME TOWEL; AND INDEED TO THE WOOD OF THE CROSS AND THE POINT OF THE SPEAR OF THE LORD, WHICH IN IS OUR AFORESAID BASILICA (kept with) MOST REVERENT PIETY, AND (preserved) BY MANY OF THE HOLY SEE'S DOCUMENTS, AND CELEBRATED WITH GREAT VENERATION BY SO MANY PEOPLE. IN THE BELIEF OF THIS AFORESAID IMAGE I HAVE SIGNED THIS LETTER WITH THE
SEAL. THE YEAR OF 1884 in the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII
HERE IN ROME AS IN ST PETER'S RENOWNED AND VENERATED BASILICA IN ROME A STATEMENT FROM THE FIRST HOLY BASILICA OF THE CHIEF APOSTLE. BY THIS LETTER I HAVE DECLARED AS A WITNESS AND I TESTIFY THAT THIS IMAGE
OF THE FACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO THAT ON THE TOWEL OF VERONICA, EXPRESSED IN WHITE COLOUR, OF THE SAME HEIGHT AND BREADTH, AND (it has been) REVERENTLY APPLIED TO THE SAME TOWEL; AND INDEED TO THE WOOD OF THE CROSS AND THE POINT OF THE SPEAR OF THE LORD, WHICH IN IS OUR AFORESAID BASILICA (kept with) MOST REVERENT PIETY, AND (preserved) BY MANY OF THE HOLY SEE'S DOCUMENTS, AND CELEBRATED WITH GREAT VENERATION BY SO MANY PEOPLE. IN THE BELIEF OF THIS AFORESAID IMAGE I HAVE SIGNED THIS LETTER WITH THE
SEAL. THE YEAR OF 1884 in the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII
The Shroud of Turin is a centuries old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man. A man that millions believe to be Jesus of Nazareth. This miraculous object, said to be the burial cloth of Christ, came to light in Turin the Middle Ages where it is now kept, although rarely shown, because of its fragility. It has been the subject of great devotion and also of intense scientific study. The image, showing the marks of Christ's crucifixion, does not appear to have been painted but has been miraculously imprinted into the cloth. Meditation upon the Holy Face of Jesus, as depicted in the Turin Shroud, forms the basis of the Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus.
Holy Shroud Exposition 2010
The Holy Shroud was last displayed in Turin, Italy from April 10th to May 23rd, 2010 at the Cathedral of Torino. Expositions occur approximately every 10 years.For more information, visit one of the many sites dedicated to the Turin Shroud. The following sites have been created by experts from different religious backgrounds, who have all come to the belief that this relic is genuine: (PLEASE NOTE THE EDITOR DOSE NOT AGREE WITH FREEDOM OF RELIGION, THE PERSONS OF SAID RELIGIONS "EPISCOPALIAN AND JEWISH" ARE USED ONLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND PEOPLE CAN ONLY BE SAVED BY THE CONVERSION TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH, REMEMBER "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus" "outside the Church there is no salvation".)
Shroud of Turin Story - modern, comprehensive, well laid-out and convincing (Episcopalian)
Shroud of Turin Website... - site created by the Official Documenting Photographer for the Shroud of Turin Research Project, Inc (Jewish)
Turn Shroud Centre - (Catholic!)
Prayer of St Therese of the Infant Jesus and the Holy Face
It is said that this devotion brought St Therese of Lisieux, "the Little Flower", to her great sanctity. This is her prayer to the Holy Face:
O Jesus, who in Thy bitter Passion didst become "the most abject of men, a man of sorrows", I venerate Thy Sacred Face whereon there once did shine the beauty and sweetness of the Godhead; but now it has become for me as if it were the face of a leper! Nevertheless, under those disfigured features, I recognize Thy infinite Love and I am consumed with the desire to love Thee and make Thee loved by all men. The tears which well up abundantly in Thy sacred eyes appear to me as so many precious pearls that I love to gather up, in order to purchase the souls of poor sinners by means of their infinite value. O Jesus, whose adorable Face ravishes my heart, I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy divine image and to set me on fire with Thy Love, that I may be found worthy to come to the contemplation of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen.
Endorsement of the Holy Shroud by Popes
The Holy Shroud is Almighty God talking to modern humanity in a language they can understand. More than 30 Popes have expressed confidence in the authenticity of the Holy Shroud, and many have urged a devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus.
Bl. Pope Pius IX
Said “This salutary reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus is a divine work, destined to save modern society.”
Pope St. Pius X
Expressed the desire that it be venerated in the homes of all Christian families.
Pope Pius XI
Gave pictures of the Holy Face from the Shroud to youths saying: “They are the pictures of the Divine Son of Mary; they come, in fact, from that object known as the Shroud of Turin; still mysterious, but certainly not the work of any human hand.”
Ven. Pope Pius XII
Asked to spread knowledge and veneration of so great and sacred a Relic. Established the Feast of the Holy Face on Shrove Tuesday.
The Feast of the Holy Face - Shrove Tuesday
On April 17th, 1958, His Holiness Ven. Pope Pius XII approved the observance of a Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday). Contact us for the wording of the Holy Face Mass to be said upon the Feast.
“See how I suffer. Nevertheless, I am understood by so few. What gratitude on the part of those who say they love me. I have given My Heart as a sensible object of My great love for man and I give My Face as a sensible object of My Sorrow for the sins of man. I desire that it be honored by a special feast on Tuesday in Quinquagesima (Shrove Tuesday – the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday). The feast will be preceded by novena in which the faithful make reparation with Me uniting themselves with my sorrow.”
(Our Lord to Mother Pierina 1938).
The Holy Face Medal
Origin and Description
The medal of the Holy Face of Jesus was made by Sister Marie Pierina De Micheli, following the request of Jesus and The Blessed Mother. Sister Pierina, with the help of her spiritual Director received the permission of the Curia of Milan, Italy.
A Message She Received From Jesus
“I will that My Face, which reflects the intimate pains of My Spirit, the suffering and the love of My Heart, be more honoured. He who meditates upon Me, consoles Me. Every time that My Face is contemplated, I will pour My love into the hearts of men and through My Holy Face will be obtained the salvation of many souls.” (Our Lord to Mother Pierina 1936).
A Message She Received From The Blessed Mother
“This medal is a weapon of defense, a shield of courage, a guarantee of love and of mercy that Jesus wishes to give to the world in these times of sexuality and of hatred towards God and His Church. Diabolical snares are laid to tear the faith from the hearts of men, evil is spreading, the true apostles are few, a divine remedy is necessary and this remedy is the Holy Face of Jesus. All those who shall wear a medal and who make, if they can, a visit to the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday in reparation for the outrages received by the Holy Face of my Son, Jesus, during His Passion and those He receives daily in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, will be fortified in the Faith, ready to defend it and to overcome all difficulties, interior and exterior. Furthermore, they will have a happy death under the loving gaze of my divine Son.”
The Design of the Holy Face medal
On one side the medal bears a replica of the Holy Face image from Shroud of Turin and an inscription based on Psalm 66:2: "Illumina, Domine, vultum tuum super nos", i.e. "May, O Lord, the light of Thy countenance shine upon us" . On the other side of the medal, there is an image of a radiant Sacred Host, the monogram of the Holy Name ("IHS"), and the inscription "Mane nobiscum, Domine" i.e. "Stay with us, O Lord" .
Veneration of the Holy Face of Jesus - according to the Saints
St Ambrose states: “There is no doubt that Peter received the grace of conversion from the Sacred Face because those on whom Jesus gazes are always saved.”
St Jerome: “The Face of Jesus will continue to save each time we have recourse to It; invoking His aid. “Show us Thy Face and we shall be saved.””
Other saints who have venerated the Holy Face, to mention a few are: St. Gregory the Great, St Gertrude, St John Chrysostom, St Ambrose, St Bernard, St Charles Borromeo, St John Bosco, St Francis of Assisi, St Catherine of Siena, St Augustine and, of course St Therese of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face.
St Therese commented, “How much good the Holy Face has done me during my life.” The Holy Face was a continual call to her to suffer so that she might resemble Jesus. St Therese says, “The just will recognize Him not only by the cross - symbol of salvation, which will precede His coming, but more exactly, by His Face, which will shine on the last day.”
