“Il Volto Santo,” or “the Holy Face,” is one of the most revered relics in Christianity, enshrined in the Basilica of the Volto Santo in Manoppello, Italy. This delicate veil, measuring approximately 17.5 cm by 24 cm, bears an image of the true face of Jesus Christ.
According to tradition, this veil absorbed the very first breath of the Risen Christ, imprinting upon itself a vivid and inexplicable image of His resurrected face. Modern scholars have confirmed that the image corresponds perfectly in all its measurements to the face of the dead Christ on the Shroud of Turin, reinforcing its authenticity and divine origin.
For centuries, the Holy Veil has inspired deep devotion, theological reflection, and scientific inquiry. Historical accounts trace its arrival in Manoppello around 1506, though its origins remain mysterious.
In 1618, Brother Remigio da Rapino, a Capuchin friar, carefully framed the veil between two panes of glass to preserve it. The Capuchin friars later enshrined the relic in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, in 1638, ensuring its veneration for generations.
The first recorded feast in its honor took place on Aug. 6, 1690, aligning with the Feast of the Transfiguration, and since then, processions and hymns dedicated to the Holy Face have become integral to its tradition.
Read more on AD Today.
ad-today.com
The Mystery and Devotion of ‘Il Volto Santo’ - AD Today
“Il Volto Santo,” or “the Holy Face,” is one of the most revered relics in Christianity, enshrined in the Basilica of the Volto Santo in Manoppello, Italy. This delicate veil, measuring approximately 17.5 cm by 24 cm, bears an image … Continue reading
