Kathy Falls, a Secular Carmelite from the Michigan Upper Peninsula, is a multi-talented woman; a singer, musician, writer, artist, and photo-restoration expert. Thirty-five years ago a growing desire was planted in her heart to share the Face of Christ seen on the Shroud of Turin, and to use her talents to make the face more visible to others. Kathy received permission to enhance the original famous photograph, which was taken in 1978 from Barrie Schwartz, the official documenting photographer and leading expert for the Shroud of Turin Research Project. Using computer technology, as well as dyes and pencils, Kathy enhanced and re-touched the image, which has won a blue ribbon from the Professional Photographers of Michigan. The inspiring image entitled “Finding the Face of Jesus” will be recognized at the Professional Photographers of America’s International Print Competion, which will be held from January 14-16 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Studying the Face on the Shroud of Turin these many years has led Kathy Falls to a deep devotion to the Face of Jesus. The writings of the “Little Flower,” St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, also inspired Kathy in her work and increased her devotion. Kathy says, St. Therese “reeled me in.” Carmelite spirituality is contemplative and what could be a more perfect subject to contemplate than the Face of Jesus? Kathy says, “You can imagine sitting in front of him for years, looking at His Face. A lot of people don’t take time to do that, to really meditate and look at what He suffered for us.” Kathy has not signed the work, which is obviously a labor of love, wishing only that His Face be seen and hearts transformed by gazing upon His Face. She says simply, “Jesus wants to be seen!”
Click here for more about Kathy Falls story and her work by The Michigan Catholic.
Illumina Domine Blog - Devotion to The Holy Face 