The little-known devotion to the Holy Face for Shrove Tuesday

In the midst of today’s busy lives, there remains a hidden treasure in the rich heritage of the Catholic faith — a devotion that calls the faithful to pause, reflect, and repair the wounds inflicted by our shortcomings.

On Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), as Catholics prepare their hearts for the penitential season of Lent, families are invited to rediscover the timeless practice of honoring the Holy Face of Christ. This little-known devotion offers not only spiritual consolation but also a gentle reminder of Christ’s enduring love, a love that embraces us even in our frailties.

Centuries ago, the story of St. Veronica, who is said to have wiped the face of Christ on his Way of the Cross, and captured the divine imprint of his face, set in motion a tradition that would echo throughout Christian history. Later, in the late 1830s, a Carmelite nun in Tours — Sr. Marie of St. Peter and the Holy Family — heard an extraordinary call: a call to honor the visage of Jesus, the very image of divine love and sorrow.

This call was renewed in 1936 when the Italian nun, Bl. Maria Pierina De Micheli, received a profound message from Christ Himself:

“I firmly wish that My face reflecting the intimate pains of my soul, the suffering and love of my heart, be more honored! Whoever gazes upon me already consoles me.”

These words resonate as both a plea and a promise — a promise that in looking upon His wounded face, we partake in a sacred communion that heals and consoles.

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The Holy Face devotion is essentially one of reparation — a heartfelt response to the offenses committed against the sacred dignity of Christ. It is an invitation to heal not only His deep wounds but also the fractures within our own hearts.

By contemplating His face, marked by the trials of the Passion, we are called to repair the insults of sin and blasphemy, and to renew our commitment to His loving mercy. As revealed to Maria Pierina De Micheli, the message continues:

“Each time my Face is contemplated I will pour my love into hearts and through my Holy Face the salvation of many souls will be obtained.”

This is a call to a deeper, more personal encounter with Jesus — a call that gently beckons us to draw closer to Him, to comfort Him with our prayers, and to join in His suffering with a hopeful heart.

In an era when the pace of life often leaves little room for quiet reflection, the Holy Face devotion offers a serene counterpoint — a moment of stillness amid the rush of our daily routines. Shrove Tuesday, traditionally a day of both feasting and reflection, becomes an ideal occasion to introduce this beautiful practice into our family lives.

You could gather together in a warm, inviting space; light a candle before an image of the Holy Face, and allow the gentle glow to set the tone for prayer and contemplation.

Families can find comfort in knowing that this devotion has been a source of spiritual strength for generations. Figures like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who embraced the Holy Face devotion, even adding it to her religious name, remind us that even the smallest acts of love and reparation can lead to profound transformation.

Following her example, we are invited to open our hearts to His love, letting our prayers rise gently in honor of His sacrifice.

The striking image of the Holy Face — reproduced on medals and cherished in oratories, like the one in Tours — reminds us that Jesus’ face, marked by love and suffering, is not a symbol of defeat but a beacon of hope — particularly perfect considering the theme of this year’s Jubilee.

Therefore, as we enter Lent, let us carry with us the gentle reminder of His words:

“I firmly wish that My face reflecting the intimate pains of my soul, the suffering and love of my heart, be more honored! Whoever gazes upon me already consoles me.”

By embracing this devotion, we not only repair the offenses of the past but also open our hearts to a future filled with hope and grace. In our everyday lives, amid moments of joy and sorrow alike, may we always find the courage to look upon His Holy Face, allowing His tender consolation to guide us on our journey of faith.

This Shrove Tuesday, let the hidden beauty of the Holy Face inspire your family to a renewed commitment of love, reparation, and shared prayer — you could even get inspiration from St. Thérèse de Lisieux in her prayer below:

O Jesus, who in Thy bitter Passion didst become “the most abject of men, a man of sorrows,” I venerate Thy Sacred Face whereon there once did shine the beauty and sweetness of the Godhead; but now it has become for me as if it were the face of a leper! Nevertheless, under those disfigured features, I recognize Thy infinite Love and I am consumed with the desire to love Thee and make Thee loved by all men. The tears which well up abundantly in Thy sacred eyes appear to me as so many precious pearls that I love to gather up, in order to purchase the souls of poor sinners by means of their infinite value. O Jesus, whose adorable Face ravishes my heart, I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy divine image and to set me on fire with Thy Love, that I may be found worthy to come to the contemplation of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen”

If you’d like to look at the remarkable 3D carbon copy of Jesus created thanks to the Shroud of Turin, have a look at the slideshow below:

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