The Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus

The Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus is a profound and sacred celebration rooted in the revelations and desires of Christ Himself. The devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus has a rich history spanning centuries, rooted in acts of compassion, divine revelations, and miraculous occurrences. It traces back to the momentous meeting between Jesus and St. Veronica during His journey to Calvary. Moved by compassion, St. Veronica offered her veil to wipe the blood and sweat from Jesus' face as He carried His cross. In return for her charity, Jesus left an impression of His Holy Face upon the veil, a tangible sign of His suffering and love. Immortalized in the Stations of the Cross, this event became a symbol of compassion and devotion for generations of believers.

St. Veronica entrusted the veil to St. Clement, who safeguarded it during the early persecutions of the Church in the Roman catacombs. Over the centuries, the Holy Veil found its place of reverence in the Basilica of St. Peter, where it remains, to this day, a sacred relic cherished by the faithful. In the 19th century, Sister Marie of St. Peter received visions from Our Lord, urging the establishment of a devotion to His Holy Face, known as the "Golden Arrow." This devotion aimed to make reparation for the world's sins and seek special intentions through prayers and promises revealed by Jesus Himself.

The devotion gained renewed significance during turbulent times, such as the revolution in the Papal States in 1849. Pope Pius IX ordered public prayers, and the Holy Veil of Veronica was displayed for veneration. During this time, a miraculous event occurred when the features of Our Lord on the veil became distinctly visible, surrounded by a soft halo of light, providing a profound testimony to the power of devotion and prayer.

The spread of the devotion continued through individuals like Leo Dupont, who displayed copies of the Holy Face in his home. Miraculous healings were attributed to the devotion, sparking widespread interest and faith among believers.

Recognizing the significance of the devotion, Pope Leo XIII established it as an Archconfraternity for the entire world in 1885. Among its devoted members was St. Therese of Lisieux, who embraced the devotion wholeheartedly, taking the name "St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face." Finally, in 1958, Pope Pius XII approved the observance of the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday, fulfilling the desire of Christ Himself for a special day of honor and reparation. Throughout history, devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus has been a source of solace, healing, and spiritual renewal for countless souls, inviting believers to contemplate the profound mystery of Christ's love and sacrifice.

The Golden Arrow Prayer

May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored, and glorified in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.