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Beautiful Photos from “Omnis Terra” Celebration in Manoppello

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His Excellency Mons. Bruno Forte opens the Holy Door and enters the Holy Face Sanctuary. (Photo: Alexandra Prandell)

“All the Earth” shared in the joy of the Omnis Terra Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday, January 19th, at The Basilica Shrine of the Holy Face in Manoppello, Italy. The event was live-streamed around the world from the Sanctuary. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by His Excellency Mons. Bruno Forte, Metropolitan Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto. Concelebrants were Fr. Simone Calvarese, Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Friars Minor of Central Italy, and Fr. Antonio Gentili, Rector of the Sanctuary of the Holy Face. The Mass was followed by a procession and blessing with the relic of the Holy Face Veil.

Many thanks to Alexandra Prandell, who has generously sent these beautiful photos for all devotees of the Holy Face to enjoy!

Fr. Antonio Gentili before the Holy Face Veil. (Photo: Alexandra Prandell)

The Holy Face of Manoppello is not painted. It is a sheer veil, and at times, barely visible at all. At other times, according to the light or perspective of the viewer, it may be seen as a living, changing ‘Face of Jesus.’ Recent non-invasive testing testing has concluded that the Relic of the Holy Veil radiates enough light energy(Beta Rays) to fill the Basilica! (Photo: Alexandra Prandell)
Archbishop Forte carries the Holy Face Relic in procession (Photo: Alexandra Prandell
Archbishop Forte Face to Face with Il Volto Santo
(Photo: Alexandra Prandell)
The Holy Face begins to disappear in the light as Archbishop Forte brings the relic out of the Basilica into the light of day. (Photo: Alexandra Prandell)
The Countenance of the Holy Face momentarily darkens. (Photo: Alexandra Prandell)
Archbishop Forte in prayer before His Face.
(Photo: Alexandra Prandell)
Padre Antonio Gentili, Rector of the Sanctuary Basilica, before the relic of the Holy Veil (Photo: Alexandra Prandell) One never tires of gazing upon His Holy Face!

“Those who gaze on it are never satisfied with contemplating it, and wish to  always have it before their eyes.  And when they eventually leave it, with heavy sighs full of love, they are forced to leave Him their hearts, bathed in tears.” –Capuchin Donato da Bomba 1646, (Speaking of the Holy Veil of Manoppello)

“Previously, God, Who has not a body or a face, absolutely could not be represented by an image.  But now, that He has made Himself visible in the flesh, and has lived with people, I can make an image of what we have seen of God…and contemplate the glory of the Lord, His Face unveiled.”–St. John Damascene