Lately there has been new interest in the Shroud of Turin as scientists have reported new findings as to the origin of the cloth and the origin of the image on the cloth. These reports call to mind my experience in venerating the Shroud of Turin during the Jubilee celebration in 2000.
The Holy Shroud is purported to be the burial cloth of Christ. A life-size image of a victim of crucifixion in the manner prescribed in the Gospels is contained on the cloth. The origin of the Holy Shroud is controversial as some scientific evidence, most notably the Carbon-14 dating results of 1988, have “disproved” the ancient origin of this cloth. Recent news stories create new doubts about the accuracy of those test results. There is other scientific evidence which supports a first-century origin of this cloth. Because of the conflicting evidence and many new theories, some suggest more tests should be performed.
Investigations conducted on the Holy Shroud with state-of-the-art technology have failed to show definitively how the image on the cloth was formed. The image of the crucified man is not painted and resides only on the topmost layer of fibers in the cloth; while stains of the blood of a human male at the side, hands, feet and head of the image penetrate the cloth. Remarkably, the photographic negatives of the image are actually a positive image, which reveal a more detailed view of the crucified man and his torture.
Exposition of the Holy Shroud normally occurs only during Jubilee years. However there was also an exposition in 1998 to commemorate the anniversary of the Holy Shroud’s arrival in Turin. Our Holy Father, John Paul II, venerated the Shroud during the 1998 exposition.
Fortunately I was in Italy on business during the Jubilee Exposition and made reservations to venerate the Holy Shroud for the morning of September 6th in San Giovanni de Baptiste Cathedral. I have been an avid follower of the scientific and historical studies concerning the Holy Shroud since graduate school and have read numerous books and scientific papers studying the historical and scientific issues concerning this cloth.
The pilgrimage began with a walk through palace gardens, which called the pilgrims to silence and prayer. A short video presentation in 5 languages ensued which detailed the major features of the Holy Shroud. The pilgrims then proceeded past a raised image of the Shroud especially prepared for the blind. As we approached the Cathedral, numerous prints commemorating past expositions were displayed. Finally we entered the Cathedral and were led to the Holy Shroud. I knelt 6-10 feet from the Holy Shroud and prayed for the wisdom to understand more fully the sacrifice and suffering of God for man.
Each group of pilgrims was to venerate the Shroud from this vantage-point for approximately 5 minutes before the guides moved us along. However as my group and the following several groups were very small, I managed to remain for some time after the allotted 5 minutes elapsed.
Exiting the Cathedral we were allowed to re-enter the Church in the rear and venerate the Shroud at some distance for as long as we wanted. There I prayed for the soul of my father who had passed away in the previous year and all of my departed loved ones.
At the end of the pilgrimage, two temporary chapels had been set up — one for Eucharistic Adoration and another for the Sacrament of Penance, available in any of 12 languages. I availed myself the opportunity for both.
I then proceeded to the Holy Shroud museum several blocks away, where I was able to see some of the original photographic plates and the camera from the first photograph of the Shroud — when the remarkable “negative” discovery was made. Also, replicas of the scourging instruments used by Romans in the first century and matched to the wounds on the Shroud were displayed. Many other items relating to the known and speculative history and the scientific studies concerning the Holy Shroud were exhibited.
I was drawn back to the Cathedral to pray in front of the Holy Shroud again. Making my way back to my hotel, I made visits at some seven Jubilee Churches, including St. Therese, St. Lawrence, and the Church of the Holy Martyrs. These churches, though small, were more magnificent in décor than any Church I have found in America.
The true origin of the Holy Shroud may never be definitively proven or known. However, regardless of what science proves, the message of the Holy Shroud remains spiritual. I knelt in awe of this portrayal of the sacrificial love of God for man. What love has been given us; what love do we return?
Copyright 2005 Jim Curley
Jim Curley is the founder and publisher of Requiem Press, which publishes books focusing on Catholic history. He writes frequently about Catholic life, culture, and other topics on his blog at http://bethunecatholic.blogspot.com. He and his wife Lorelei are parents of 7 children and live in Bethune, SC. He can be reached at [email protected].
