Message of Pope Paul IV for the Exposition of the Shroud 1978

To our venerate brother
Anastasio Alberto Ballestrero,
archbishop of Torino

The event that from the 27 of August to the 8 of October of this year will attract the interest of many and the special devotion of the faithful on this dignified City of Torino, is universally known and awaited.

This event is indeed the public exposition of the Holy Shroud, that, with jealous affection and vivid piety, is kept in the Cathedral and also in the heart of Torino’s Chrisatians, as an honorable Relic of the blessed Passion of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Joining such a lively joy is reason of special delight for us, especially since the occasion for our joy is the sixth centenary of the anniversary of the transportation of the Sacred Linen from Chambery, ancient capital of the reign of Savoia, to Torino, noble capital of Piedmont, to favor the veneration of the relic by the Saint Archbishop of Milano, Carlo Borromeo.

Leaving historical research to science, Christians will certainly be able to find new occasions of meditations and adoration of the inexhaustible spring of life hidden in Jesus Christ sufferings in this happy circumstance. Both the Apostolic writings and the Gospels give us the clear description of those sufferings but especially their deep dimension of salvation, which is considered the most original and precious content of the new message for the world.

The image of "the man of grief" (Is. 53; 3.) comes back to Christians’ attention: although He resurrected from death on the third day, He did not erase but glorified His wounds, and He showed the signs to those who, as Thomas (John, 20; 24:29) were tempted by defying visions of total death or dehumanizing transfiguration.

"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Jews, 4; 15). It is for this reason that even facing the mysterious Image of the Shroud, we’d love to repeat the invitation of the apostle: "let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace to help in time of need" (Jews 4; 16).

I hope the exposition of the Shroud will really help everybody to rediscover the great fecundity

within the "scandal of the cross" of Christ (Gal. 5, 11; I Cor. 1,1; 17:32), and may the People of God renew their vigor for their earthly pilgrimage, so that they will be part of the holy resurrection. (Rom. 6,5; Phil. 3, 10:11).

May my Apostolic Blessing be echo and pledge of this pastoral vows, for you, Archbishop, and for the Priests and Laymen of the dioceses, especially for the promoters of the event and for all those who, with faithful spirit and heartfelt deference, will visit that particular Document.

From the Vatican, 29 June !978; XVI of Our Pontificate.

Paulus P.P. VI.

From the "Rivista Diocesana Torinese".
N. 6; 1978. Pages 223-224.