The Shroud of Turin is once again on display for faithful Catholics and even the non-faithful to visit and contemplate the mystery of the shroud’s origins. In the traditions of Catholic belief, we believe that in some miraculous intervention of God’s power, the Shroud of Turin was infused with the image of the crucified Jesus while it was reposed in the tomb. For secular believers the shroud represents an anomaly of artistic techniques or is even suggested as an example of superlative trickery in the manipulation of the image that is present on the shroud.
Regardless of the inclination non-believers might have regarding the authenticity of the Shroud’s Divine Image, this author believes in the possibility of Divine revelation through a miracle of the Shroud of Turin. Our Catholic faith is established on the foundation of miracles. Namely, the most incomprehensible miracle of the Incarnation provides Christianity with the cornerstone of God’s miraculous intervention into the temporal sphere of man’s existence. As a faithful believer in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, God becoming a man, the Shroud of Turin is just another example of God’s intervention into history to reveal Himself in order for us to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of our Catholic faith. I don’t think I am alone in this belief either. According to the New York Times, the Shroud of Turin has already drawn over two million reservations for visitors to Turin during the period of the Shroud’s exposition.
Of the most prominent visitors already to visit the Shroud, Pope Benedict XVI, made his pilgrimage late last week. The Holy Father said the Shroud is an, “extraordinary icon†with a compelling message for the Church and the world. Such an exclamation by the head of the Catholic Church should not come as any shock or surprise. The Catholic faith is imbued with many signs and symbols that draw the believer to a deepening of religious faith as part of the journey that leads us more deeply to God. The Shroud of Turin, is indeed one of the most sublime but yet visible signs and symbols of the eschatological reality the Catholic faith offers to us as faithful followers.
While most visibly, the Shroud of Turin represents Christ Crucified through the infusion of the image of Jesus, wrapped in a burial cloth. However, the image of Christ’s suffering and death is only part of the miraculous message the Shroud of Turin proclaims by its entire existence. The Shroud also proclaims, the power of the Eternal Father, in raising Jesus from the dead. The Shroud is a sign and indeed a symbol of God’s never ending , paternal affection for the crucified Son and the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit wielded by the Father in raising Jesus to new life through the power of the Resurrection.
While there are those individuals and groups that maintain the Shroud of Turin is a tattered relic of Catholic antiquity in reality it is the visible sign of a transcendent faith that endures beyond physical death and calls everyone to eternal life with a loving Father.
Skeptics maintain the Shroud of Turin is an example of artistic manipulation and perhaps even underhanded trickery with the intent to deceive anyone that views the Shroud. On the contrary, the Shroud is a magnificent representation of God’s love, mercy and power manifested through the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Shroud of Turin is a conduit for miraculous transformations of faith in the Church, in Christ and ultimately the love of the Father.
While the Shroud of Turin is on public display for a limited amount of time, the large amount of pilgrims anticipated to visit the Shroud cannot be dismissed as a secular pilgrimage of artistic interest. Those pilgrims are coming to Turin, because they believe in the power of miracles, especially in the miracle of the Paschal Mystery which is the ultimate celebration of our Catholic faith.
The Shroud of Turin is not a tattered relic of Catholic antiquity. It is a sign and symbol of the transformational results of the Sacraments, especially death with Christ in baptism and resurrection in new life through the Sacraments and the life of the Church.
The Shroud of Turin loudly proclaims Christ’s victory over death and echoes our Easter salutation: The Lord is Risen, Alleluia! Alleluia! He is risen as He said, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hugh J.McNichol is a Catholic author and journalist writing on Catholic topics and issues. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he studied both philosophy and theology. He writes frequently at http://verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com & http://nothing-left-unsaid.blogspot.com . Hugh writes about his Irish Catholic upbringing and educational experiences at http://graysferrygrapevine.blogspot.com  He has contributed works to Catholic News Agency, Catholic Online, The Irish Catholic, Dublin, the British Broadcasting Company, London and the Philadelphia Bulletin, Catholic Exchange, Pewsitter.com, Blogger News Network & The Catholic Business Journal,CatholicMom.com. & Catholic.net Comments are always welcome at hjmn4566@gmail.com
22 users commented in " The Shroud of Turin…He is Risen as He Said! Alleluia! Alleluia! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackSome people will believe anything. Despite the scientific tests that revealed it was created in the middle ages, people will believe it was not only from 1200 to 1400 years EARLIER , that it was THE shroud of Jesus.
Thankyou Mr McNichol, certainly seems real to me too. There will always be doubters and sceptics hoping to disprove what they know in their heart is the truth.
[…] of Relics04 May 2010If the Pope says it’s real… Pope Benedict XVI has declared the Shroud of Turin real. Writes Chris Armstrong at Grateful to the Dead: This also seems a bold move by a pope–to […]
Oregon,
I’m with you on this – my first reaction was
wasn’t this disproved through scientic testing some years ago!!!
Yes, memory serves me it was believed to be made in the Middles Ages.
Ann
Just researched to clear this up,
no part of the shroud’s cloth is older than 600 years
Bishop d’Arces stated the shroud was a fake and it was acknowledged as a forgery by Pope Clement
imo
Ann
If the Pope is supposed to be ‘the vicar of Christ on earth, then why has it taken years to approve the shroud as real? Couldn’t he just get an answer from ‘The Boss’? Or could it be that he and all he stands for is a lie, and he has not followed the bible at all – thereby not ABLE to get an answer from Jesus?!
Food for thought~
In your Bible …read “John 20 verse 38″&39
Verse ‘ 40″ they took the body of Jesus and wound it in Linen cloths with the spices .as the manner of the Jews to bury.
read verse 41′
Read all of Chapter 20″especially…
” verse “5” and he Peter’ stooping down ,and looking in saw the {linen Clothes} lie,
And THE NAPKIN, that was about his head,
not lying with the linen clothes,but wrapped together in a place by it self ,
un-quote.
this was inside the ‘Sepulchre”
the face of Jesus is suppose to be on this Shroud? how can that be ?
I am an EX Catholic and I do not believe in this Shroud
in other Scriptures , Mark, Luke and Matthew but I am
not sure which one,”wrote,
On the day Jesus Died , he was wrapped In STRIPS of Linen . check your Bible’s if you want answers and Pope Benadick will pray to anything IN MY OPINON
Sorry,in my last post, I made a mistake . typo..
Chapter 20 verse 7 ,,, reads; “and the Napkin ….continue
Hi
I´ve found your post quite interesting actually it goes deep into the theological meaning of the Shroud nevertheless it is not an object of blind faith it is the most scientifically studied world relic.
It is impossible to summarize in a few words the historic and scientific knowledge achieved but I´ll try to do it as best as I can.
Gospels of Mark Luke and Matthew describe Jesus beeing wrapped in a linen cloth bought by Joseph of Arimathea.
There are lots of historical documents relative to a Shroud of Christ in Eastern Orthodox Church and it´s presence in Constantinople till 1204 is an established fact.
The fact that 1988 radiocarbon tests were flawed was a conclusion based on several scientific studies that explained the medieval date of the sample just because it was cut in an area of invisible rewoven repair.
Till now no one was able to reproduce an image on linen cloths with the same optical physical and chemical characteristics of the one in the Shroud.
Everyone who seriously studies the Shroud of Turin can only conclude that it is not a fake it is the cloth that wrapped Jesus body.
That´s why I consider absolutely ludicrous all the skeptical comments .
Maria da Glória
Centro Português de Sindonologia
Hi
I´ve found your post quite interesting actually it goes deep into the theological meaning of the Shroud nevertheless it is not an object of blind faith it is the most scientifically studied world relic.
It is impossible to summarize in a few words the historic and scientific knowledge achieved but I´ll try to do it as best as I can.
Gospels of Mark Luke and Matthew describe Jesus beeing wrapped in a linen cloth bought by Joseph of Arimathea.
There are lots of historical documents relative to a Shroud of Christ in Eastern Orthodox Church and it´s presence in Constantinople till 1204 is an established fact.
The fact that 1988 radiocarbon tests were flawed was a conclusion based on several scientific studies that explained the medieval date of the sample just because it was cut in an area of invisible rewoven repair.
Till now no one was able to reproduce an image on linen cloths with the same optical physical and chemical characteristics of the one in the Shroud.
Everyone who seriously studies the Shroud of Turin can only conclude that it is not a fake it is the cloth that wrapped Jesus body.
That´s why I consider absolutely ludicrous all the skeptical comments .
Maria da Glória
Centro Português de Sindonologia
Hi
I´ve found your post quite interesting actually it goes deep into the theological meaning of the Shroud nevertheless it is not an object of blind faith it is the most scientifically studied world relic.
It is impossible to summarize in a few words the historic and scientific knowledge achieved but I´ll try to do it as best as I can.
Gospels of Mark Luke and Matthew describe Jesus beeing wrapped in a linen cloth bought by Joseph of Arimathea.
There are lots of historical documents relative to a Shroud of Christ in Eastern Orthodox Church and it´s presence in Constantinople till 1204 is an established fact.
The fact that 1988 radiocarbon tests were flawed was a conclusion based on several scientific studies that explained the medieval date of the sample just because it was cut in an area of invisible rewoven repair.
Till now no one was able to reproduce an image on linen cloths with the same optical physical and chemical characteristics of the one in the Shroud.
Everyone who seriously studies the Shroud of Turin can only conclude that it is not a fake it is the cloth that wrapped Jesus body.
That´s why I consider absolutely ludicrous all the skeptical comments .
Maria da Glória
Centro Português de Sindonologia
Hi: I am not an expert but I do read the Bible.
In Matthew: 28 “59 “and when Joseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth .
and also in Matthew 28- 57 when the evening was come there came a rich man of Arimathae named Joseph who also himself was Jesus’disciple:
In Mark 16-46 he bought Fine Linen and took him down ,and wrapped him in the linen.
LUKE 24-12.
Then arose peter,and ran into the sepulchre;and stooping down, he beheld the LINEN clothes}and laid by themselves and departed.
John 20-6 ,Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre and seeth the linen cloths lie, AND the Napkin that was about his head NOT lying with the linen clothes BUT wrapped together in a place by itself.
ok I believe IMO he was wrapped in a Linen cloth ,Yes, we now call it a Shroud , But it was torn in shreds when Jesus Rose from the dead and the Napkin that was wrapped around his head, was found to be in another area in the sepulchre , anyway , thats how I see it , I really dont believe the (Shroud of Turin } is the same cloth and I’m sorry to say this .
Jesus was crucified More than two thousand , years ago; have they proven that this Shroud is made of Linen? was Jesus’ blood On it ? so many questions? I guess people believe what they want to believe ,
I haven’t done any research on this , sorry and thank you for responding to my post “I like that”
search National Geographic Daily news ,
The Shroud of Turin not Jesus; Tomb Discovery
We’re missing the big picture here…
Jesus, at John14:21 said that ‘he who exercises faith in me’…’will do the works that I do.’ Do we imagine that part of those “works” is debating over what he wore at his death, or rather, what his death has done for mankind?! (Matt.20:28)
It’s not about the relics in the bible, but about our faith! 2 Cor.4:6-7.
Even further, there is nothing in the bible that says that we REQUIRE this Shroud of Turin, nor any other biblical relic, for that matter. Case and point, go read for yourself –
The Ark of the Covenant (Jer. 3:16, 17)
The Copper (brass) serpent (2Kings 18:4-7)
King Solomon’s (Zerubbabel’s or Herod’s) temple Mark 13:1,2 & Luke 19:41-44
The Cross (or stake) as Jesus compared it to the copper serpent (John 3:15).
By revering this piece of cloth they are doing the same as God told Moses NOT to do at Ex.20:4 you must not make FOR YOURSELF any image for your worship – in other words, don’t go off and revere objects on your own – HE will tell us what is acceptable to God (Eph.5:10).
Remember what Jesus said at Matt. 15:9 – we don’t want to listen to ‘commands of MEN as doctrines,’ but rather use the bible to make sure of all this. (1 Thess. 5:21)
If such was the case, the bible would have made it crystal clear – 2Tim 3:16, 17
This Shroud is just that – a shroud for Satan to use to blind peoples minds away from the study of God’s word, the bible. 2Cor. 11:13-15.
Following this thing, this cadavers clothing, will only take you AWAY from God and NOT toward him. That’s why Paul wrote about Satan’s Machinations (crafty acts). Eph. 6:11. He said to put on the complete suit of armor from God!! Your shield of faith can protect you from Satan’s tricks, as long as your perceptive powers have been trained. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
…Or did we forget that Satan wanted the body of Moses in Jude v.9 – what did he have in mind? He wanted to mislead the nations as he has been doing for centuries. Rev.12:9
If you truly wish to follow Jesus – study the bible, not the Shroud, one tells you that someone died – the other tells someone lived and died for you, and how you can get everlasting life because of it! (John 3:16/17:3)
I hope this clears it up.
-ps please excuse any typos-
WELL I THINK ITS THE MOST AMAZING THING IN THE WORLD BECAUSE THE PROPHECIES ARE ALL FORFILLED THE RESSURECTION IN THREE DAYS THE CRUSIFICTION OF JESUS EVERY THING SO THIS MEANS IT WAS ACTUALLY THE REAL SHROUT OF JESUS IT DATES THE YEAR EVERY THING. SO I DO ENCOURENGE EVERY ONE TO BELIVE IN HIS POWER OF THE RESSURECTION. ITS A GREAT BLESSING THAT GOD GAVE US HIS SON TO DIE FOR ARE SINS.FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON TO WHO EVER BELIVED IN HIM WOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVER LASTING LIFE JOHN 3:16
I THINK THE LORD GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US NOW IS MY TURN TO GIVE MY LIFE TO HIM I LOVE THIS VERSE LOVE IS LONG SUFFERING LOVE IS KIND LOVE DOES NOT ENVY LOVE DOES NOT PERADE ITS SELF IT IS NOT POOFED UP IT DOES NOT BEHAVE RUDELY. CORINTHIANS 13:4-9 I LOVE JESUS SO MUCH.
I am a dedicated catholic, I feel impelled to give my testimony because one needs to witness to the truth where and when necessary. In 1981 I was very privileged to have had a vision of our lord Jesus Christ in a historic church that was dedicated to St.Peter and St.Paul, I saw our Lords face, so sad.And the crown of thorns on his head so clear was this vision i could see the string of thorns encircled many times and the thorns so clear as if one would be pricked by them, I was totally awestruck and as you can imagine this vision took me from being a christian with many question marks to a fervent believer, after the vision i went to my mothers home when i went in to her living room i told my mother of my wonderful vision and was overwhelmed to discover that my mother had a copy of the shroud of Turin on her wall.I immediately said to my mother, this is Jesus Christ, this is who i saw actually as he is. It is him. The holy shroud image is that Of Jesus Christ, I can’t prove it but i would lay my life on this because it is true. I have since 1981 had many other experiences which have also confirmed to me the authenticity of the holy shroud and that it is of our Lord Jesus Christ. One day it will be recognised as true and venerated as the wonderful relic that it is, and i look forward to that day. Yours in Christ … Fred
Scientists even proved that the peice of the shroud that dated back to 1260-1390 was very likely to be contaminated due to years of being held in the corner. FACT
Thank you very much for sharing this great article.
I think you Shroud of Turin has a lot to say, I think this hides a mystery which everyone should know.
I want to share with you a vision that I witnessed Friday, May 28th, 2010 at 0750. I
was driving from my house in Illinois on a very beautiful morning. The sun was shining brightly.From a distance I saw a white cloth framed rectangular along a tree. It was made of the finest,thin, white material. It looks from a distance it was the Shroud of Turin.
As I came closer to the tree the face of Jesus became clearer. It was a very big vision of his Jesus face.It was the saddest face of Jesus with his bushy eyebrow, eyes closed, and face drawn. The image was approximately 50 feet but I could not see His whole the body.
When I confirmed it was Jesus face,it was the saddest face of Jesus I saw. I know that the cloth was the Shroud of Turin. It must have been over 10 years that I’ve seen the picture of Shroud of Turin. I got scared and drove off and started praying The Lord’s Prayer.
I must have not finished the prayer and looked
at my rear view mirror of my car, but did not see it at the other side of the tree.
When I got back to my senses, I called my sister to come with me to validate the vision.
I went home to get the camera and was disappointed to just see a brown trunk of the tree and the vision no longer there.
I went around three times and could not see it anymore.
The tree is approximately 100 year old, branches are on the very top,the diameter,probably will take 2 1/2 people can wrap their arms around the tree.
I re-examined myself, may be it was a shadow of another tree. I could not find a tall tree that could create a shadow on that part of the trunk at that time of the morning.
I brought my children and friends to see the tree but we could not see the vision anymore.
I pulled a piece of the bark and some of friends did too. One called and informed me that the piece he took smelled so good.
I ate breakfast with a devout Catholic couple after going to the tree the following day. She showed me a prayer book that has the picture of Shroud of Turin. It was exactly the vision that appeared to me. The vision I saw was even bigger and clearer.
Maxi
If you look at a picture of the Shroud it does indeed look like the image of a man who has been crucified. And if you look closely at the area above the head it looks like an electrical current entering the head. This is evident even to the untrained eye. Maybe this is the shroud which was wrapped around Lazarus?
Many people speak in favor of the shroud of Turin. Some people are against the shroud. The Bible bears witness against the shroud and indicates it for false and a fake. This article points out in the light of the Bible that the shroud of Turin is a fake:
http://koti.phnet.fi/petripaavola/shroudofturin.html
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