Guardian Angels and the Holy Face

Pope Benedict XVI in Manoppello on Sept. 1, 2006
together with Fr. Pfeiffer, S.J., Paul Badde and Sr. Blandina - may their guardian angels ever surround them.



The Holy Face in Procession - May 2005


October 2, the feast of the Guardian Angels. How much the angels have done for the protection of the Holy Face! St. Michael himself stands guard in Manoppello. And surrounding the cloth of the Holy Face how beautiful are the angels on the silver frame representing the myriads who lovingly watch and pray. And the angels who send inspiration to today's apostles of the Holy Face, seemingly in impeccable German!

St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face

As today is the feast of St. Therese I am happy to post this photo showing her devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus as it was known in the 19th century, taken from devoted blogger whitewater39.blogspot.com.

I can't help but think that St. Therese's intercession has something to do with the fact that knowledge of the Holy Face of Manoppello is growing, even if slowly, around the world. It seems that this knowledge is meant to be part of her "little way". In her mind and spirit, this devotion is evidently connected to the Child Jesus. What did this mean to her? Considering that she is a Doctor of the Church something most profound, but also mysterious and needful of much meditation and contemplation. Considering that she is "love in the heart of the Church", it must take us to the intersections of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

St. Therese, Little Flower, patron of missionaries, apostle of the Holy Face, help us to lovingly, as you, reveal the Holy Face to the world.