Kelly Kearse writes:
Back home from holiday traveling and wrote this up, which I’d like to submit for consideration to be posted on the blog-thought some might find it useful/interesting. . . .
Merry Post-Christmas & Happy New Year,
So here it is. I had no idea:
The Shroud in the Northeast Megalopolis
For those who might be traveling or live in the Northeast United States, especially in the northern NJ/NY and Philadelphia areas, there are several Shroud-related stops that may be of interest. The first two are located in northern NJ and are within approximately 30 minutes of each other. The third is in Philadelphia, a few blocks adjacent to the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann.
Holy Face Monastery, located at 1697 State Route 3, Clifton, NJ.
The monastery sits atop a hill at the end of a cul-de-sac within a residential neighborhood that is adjacent to Route 3 in NJ, and offers an impressive view of the New York skyline in the distance. Inside the chapel, on both sides of the altar are large displays of the front and back images of the Shroud. Above the altar there is a gold-leaf mosaic that is based on the Shroud’s facial image. Additional Shroud photographs and images are found in an adjacent side room. Services and lectures pertaining to the devotional aspects of the Shroud are given regularly throughout the year.
Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, located at 543 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ.
At the back of the chapel is the True Copy painting, a full-size replica of the Shroud painted onto linen, which is displayed vertically in a glass case that allows viewing of both sides of the cloth. The copy was made in 1624 and features numerous details including bloodstains, water stains, scorch-marks, and patches. It is the only (painted) copy of the Shroud that is known to be in existence in this country. What makes this replica especially treasured within the religious community is the fact that it came into physical contact with the Shroud. Accordingly, it is stated that “when it was removed it was found that the side wound, as seen on the Shroud, had become damp as though with blood, and this effusion had stained the copy”. Also mentioned is that “in 1987, scientists from the STURP team affirmed the stain was indeed that of human blood and of the same blood type as the Holy Shroud”. [I searched fairly extensively on the internet and made several contacts a few months before visiting, but was unable to determine the details of these studies-KK]
Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 830 N. Franklin Street, Philadelphia, PA.
Inside the church, visitors have the opportunity to see one of only nine authentic full-length replicas of the Shroud that have been officially sanctioned by the Vatican. The replica is on exhibit at the front of the church on the right, and when not displayed for viewing, is covered with a white cloth. Next door to the church is the Treasury of Faith Museum, which contains a special exhibit of Shrouds and Shroud-related paintings that were used throughout the history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
