May Our Dear Friend Paul Badde Rest in Peace Contemplating the Face of God in Heaven

 

The world has lost a great Catholic man of letters and of images.  

Announcement and photo taken from the Facebook page of the Basilica of the Holy Face of Manoppello

Basilica of the Holy Face of Manoppello

"Paul Badde has returned to the Father's house.

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

Since he discovered the existence of the Holy Face, Paul never had any doubt that it was the authentic image of the human and divine Face of Christ and, as a scholar, he was the author of numerous and pioneering volumes of historical and theological studies on the important relic preserved in the Abruzzo town. We recall, among others, “La Secunda Sindone” (The Second Shroud) published in 2006, which, translated into several languages, was a real springboard for the knowledge of the Holy Face all over the world and consequently for the promotion of devotion to it, and then again “It Tesoro di Manoppello” (The Treasure of Manoppello) of 2017 and the important booklet “Gesù nei suoi sudari” (Jesus in his Shrouds).


Paul Badde, together with his wife Ellen, his great supporter and companion always present in his travels and research, for many years had decided to spend most of their time in Manoppello, right near the Basilica of the Holy Face, thus becoming not only part of the community, but a real point of reference for everyone.


The Capuchin Friars of the Shrine and all the faithful, grateful for his kind and discreet presence, will always remember Paul with great affection and gratitude and embrace his wife Ellen and the whole 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 will illuminate Paul eternally and console the family in this moment of sorrow for the earthly separation from the beloved relative.


The funeral will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Holy Face by our Archbishop Bruno Forte on Saturday, November 15 at 10:30 a.m."

Vatican Magazine 2018 Issue Commemorating Paul's 70th Birthday

 

His dear friend and close collaborator in promoting the Holy Face of Manoppello Antonio Bini sent me this heartfelt note about Paul's passing.  

"The Death of PAUL BADDE

The writer and journalist Paul Badde passed away overnight in Manoppello, near his beloved Holy Face. He was born in Aachen, Germany, on March 10, 1948. A former history professor, he was a correspondent for the Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung, Die Ziet, and Die Welt newspapers. For the latter newspaper, he was a correspondent from Jerusalem. In his later years, he collaborated with the EWTN television network. As a director, he produced several documentaries on the Holy Face as well as an extraordinary presentation of the life of Padre Domenico da Cese. He was an extraordinary popularizer of the Holy Face, continuing the studies of Father Heinrich Pfeiffer and Sister Blandina Paschalis Schloemer. One of his works was a bestseller, published in a number of countries. In the USA, it was published under the title "The Face of God." He was a dear friend, and it was a pleasure for me to share studies, insights, and initiatives for over twenty years. The restoration of the ancient rite of Omnis Terra, with which Pope Innocent III began the public cult of the Veronica, was due to his insight as a historian. May he rest in peace."

My wife Liany and I together with Paul during the Feast of the Holy Face in May 2011 (Photo by Antonio Bini)

                         
On a personal note I will always be grateful to Paul for helping me to begin publishing my blog on the Holy Face of Manoppello in 2008 by sending me his books in German and Italian on the Holy Face, without my even asking, and even more for sharing with me so many of the groundbreaking and breathtaking photos which he took of the Holy Face, as well as for allowing me to assist him in a small way with three books which he had published in English on the Holy Face -- "The Face of God", "The True Icon" and "The Holy Veil of Manoppello".

I believe that the tremendous number of photos which Paul took of the Holy Face were as great a contribution as were his books to the development of the worldwide recognition of the Holy Face of Manoppello.

His visits to the United States, Canada and the Philippines together with Fr. Carmine Cucinelli on the missions organized by dear Daisy Neves to promote the Holy Face were truly historic.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Paul O Lord and May the Perpetual Light of Your Face Shine Upon Him, May His Soul and the Souls of All the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God Rest in Peace. Amen.