Venerate the Shroud of Turin this Saturday on virtual display

Join the livestream just prior to the event for reflections on "Hope" from young Catholics of Turin.

On Holy Saturday, April 3, the Shroud of Turin will go on digital display for virtual veneration. This is the second time in as many years the Shroud of Turin is to be presented via online stream. The event will be preceded by reflections on the topic of “Hope” from Turin’s young adults.

Archbishop of Turin Cesare Nosiglia announced the display on March 3, noting that the 2021 display is “not a simple repetition” of last year. He noted that the 2020 display came during a “complete emergency situation,” but in 2021 we have learned that our “strength lies in continuing in courage.” He expressed his expectation that this year’s display will strengthen a sense of hope within the faithful.

Of the Shroud, Archbishop Nosiglia said:

“The Shroud is a reality that concerns everyone. [The] image that Turin has preserved for almost five centuries testifies to pain and death, but also to resurrection and eternal life.” He added, “In front of the Shroud we can exclaim with our hearts turned to the Lord: ‘Your love is forever.’”

The event will be livestreamed from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Also known as the Turin Cathedral, the building was outfitted with a shrine for the Holy Shroud in the 17th century. The reflections will be held at 4:30 p.m. local time, or 10:30 a.m. ET. The display will follow at 5 p.m. local, or 11 a.m. ET.

Hope in faith

The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth that features the negative image of a scourged and crucified man. It has been venerated as the death shroud of Christ since the 15th century, but the Church has not officially confirmed nor denied its authenticity. In 2015, Pope Francis venerated the relic during a trip to Italy, calling it an “icon of Christ’s love.”

Archbishop Nosiglia will celebrate the Holy Saturday liturgy before the Shroud. The event, set to take place in the evening, will be preceded by presentations from some of Turin’s young adults. They will offer reflections on the theme of hope in front of the Shroud.

According to CNA, this year’s display was supposed to occur in January, during the 43rd international meeting of the Taizé Community. The world pandemic, unfortunately, forced both events to be cancelled. This will be only the fourth time the Shroud has been displayed since the turn of the century.