Illumina Domine Blog – Devotion to The Holy Face

Paul Badde, beloved friend of so many around the world, passed away last night in his home. He died just a short distance from his beloved Holy Face held in the Basilica Shrine of Il Volto Santo, in Manoppello, Italy. Paul passionately believed in, studied, and sacrificed to spread the word of the “re-discovery” of the miraculous Veil of the Holy Face. May he rest in peace, and may God reward Paul for all he has done for love of Christ Jesus and His Blessed Mother.

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his wife, Ellen and their family.

A statement from the Basilica Volto Santo di Manoppello:

” Paul Badde has returned to the Father’s House.

Born in Germany, near Aachen, in 1948, a former teacher of political history, Badde worked as a journalist at the prestigious German newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” and from 2000 to 2013 was the Jerusalem and Rome correspondent for “Die Welt,”

Since discovering the existence of the Holy Face, Paul has never had any doubts that it was the authentic image of the human and divine Face of Christ, and as a scholar, he has authored numerous pioneering volumes of historic and theological studies on the important relic preserved in the Abruzzo town. Among others, we recall “The Second Shroud”[his first book about the Sudarium] in 2006, which, translated into several languages, was a veritable springboard for knowledge of the Holy Face throughout the world and consequently for the spread of devotion to it; as well as the Manoppello treasure of 2017 and the important booklet, “Jesus in His Burial Cloths.”

Paul Badde, along with his wife Ellen, his great supporter and ever-present companion in his travels and research, had spent many years in Manoppello, right near the Basilica of the Holy Face, thus becoming not only part of the community but a true point of reference for all.

The Capuchin Friars of the Sanctuary and all the faithful, grateful for his kind and discreet presence, will always remember Paul with great affection and gratitude and extend their deepest sympathies to his wife Ellen and his entire family.

Dear Paul, after having venerated Him so much on this earth, you are now finally contemplating the Face of God in Heaven. Lord, we pray with all our hearts that the light of Your endless glory may shine upon Paul eternally and console the family in this moment of grief following the earthly separation from their beloved relative.”

–Seraphic Province of the Immaculate Conception OFM Cap., Municipality of Manoppello.

+A little more… Links to some of Pauls books:Maria of Guadalupe, The Face of God: The Rediscovery of the True Face of Jesus, The Holy Veil of Manoppello: The Human Face of God, The True Icon: From the Shroud of Turin to the Veil of Manoppello, and Benedict Up Close: The Inside Story of Eight Dramatic Years, and also information about Paul’s last book, “The Luke Icon — Rome’s Hidden Wonder of the World;” which is, in part, Paul’s German autobiography–beginning and ending with his great love for the Blessed Mother and his search for the earliest, and most hauntingly beautiful “Luke Icon.” It was Mary who led Paul to seek the Face of Jesus on the Holy Veil of Manoppello. A summary of this wonderful book may be read about in this post “Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us.”