The image of the Face of Christ speaks with eloquence

Message of the Archbishop, Card. Michele Pellegrino, read during the first exposition of the Holy Shroud, Friday 23 of November, 1973.

Brothers,

The image of the Face and Body of Christ, as we can see it on the Shroud, speaks with such an eloquence that it can discourage the man who, in this solemn moment, is called to be somehow the spokesman of the Church of Turin, which has the privilege of being the pious and prompt guardian city of the relic.

My words would like to echo the words of the greatest Archbishop of Turin: S. Maximus. They are an invitation to contemplate this unique image of Christ, to stare at the blood that flows from the wounded body of the Redeemer. Faith urges us to repentance, to adore Him, and love Him gratefully.

Jesus was crucified for our sins, His blood was shed for our salvation. The Lord Jesus set us free through His Passion. S. Massimo tells us to look at Him constantly, to find comfort and help in the Cross. Let’s confess our sins when we meet Him, because we too are responsible of the sufferings that are portrayed on the Shroud in such an extraordinary lively and moving way.

Let’s tell Him what the repented thief said: "Jesus, remember me." Let’s meet Christ, dead and alive for ever, with all our heavy sufferings, with the sufferings of the poor, the oppressed, the sick, the outcasts, who vividly reflect the image of Jesus. However, if we could doubt -as somebody does- that the image that we piously venerate is really the imprint left by the body of Christ on the sheet used by Joseph of Arimathea to wrap His body, one thing is still sure: the face of Christ is impressed on the faces of His and our brothers, on those who do not have face nor voice because of many indifferent and selfish men.

May this intense and moving hour not pass in vain, I wish it will leave an everlasting imprint of faith in our spirits, a generous acceptation of the Cross, an active sympathy toward our brothers.

Archbishop Michele Card. Pellegrino.

From " Rivista Diocesana Torinese".
N. 12. ; 1973. Page 467.