Overview

A Journey with the Shroud of Turin

“A Journey with the Shroud,” the 1-hour Speaker and PowerPoint presentation based on the Who is the Man of the Shroud? Exhibition, was offered this past week at Pilgrim Center of Hope.

Dozens of people participated in this event, which included both the presentation and a visit to the permanent exhibition housed at Pilgrim Center of Hope. Eight Shroud Ambassadors also assisted and observed as part of their volunteer training.

“A Journey with the Shroud” takes participants on an audio and visual journey in two parts.

Part one travels through the history, art, and science known about the Shroud of Turin, the ancient linen burial cloth which mysteriously bears the image of a man tortured and crucified.

The second part of the presentation journeys through the Gospel narratives of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, highlighting the striking similarities with what the image of the man of the shroud shows he endured.

Participants heard how nothing about the mysterious image of the Man on the Shroud contradicts the Gospel narratives of what happened to Jesus Christ. This experience is designed to ask the question, “Who is the Man of the Shroud?” leaving the answer for each participant to decide.

Due to its unique ability to address many disciplines such as history, art, science and faith, “A Journey with the Shroud” presentation is available for all types of organizations including churches, schools, and businesses. To learn more, contact Pilgrim Center of Hope or visit our Shroud exhibit page at DiscoverWho.org. 

Castroville Event Summary

At the invitation of St. Louis Catholic Church and School in Castroville, Texas, “A Journey with the Shroud” presentations based on the Who is the Man of the Shroud? museum exhibition were offered by Pilgrim Center of Hope on May 8 & 9, 2023.

St. Louis parishioners Jerry and Sarah Hoog (who were also Pilgrim Center of Hope pilgrims to the Holy Land and Oberammergau) coordinated this event to bring attention to the permanent Who is the Man of the Shroud? museum exhibition and efforts to build the Stella Maris Center on the property of Pilgrim Center of Hope in San Antonio, Texas.

In addition to promoting the Shroud of Turin event at the Catholic parish, the Hoogs visited several area Christian churches inviting their members to attend. Approximately 150 people attended one of the three presentations offered by Pilgrim Center of Hope’s Co-Director, Mary Jane Fox (two on Sunday and one on Monday) at the city’s Braden Keller Community Center.

On Monday morning, Mary Jane presented a shorter (20 minute) presentation to 100 St. Louis Catholic School students (Kindergarten through 5th Grade) and their teachers. One teacher expressed how interested the students were in the presentation, and hopes to pursue a classroom project with the students about the Shroud of Turin.

The public presentations included a PowerPoint, small replicas of the Shroud of Turin, and two of the torture instrument replicas (crucifixion nails and flagrum) from the permanent exhibition. The presentations touch on the history, art, and science of the Shroud of Turin, as well as the striking similarities between the image of the man on the shroud and the Gospel accounts of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Following the presentations, many who attended commented on their interest to visit Pilgrim Center of Hope and view the complete Who is the Man of the Shroud? museum exhibition.

Adults and youth alike showed great interest in the Shroud of Turin, the most studied archeological object in history, and the mysterious image of the Man of the Shroud. Science has yet to discover how the image of the man appears on the Shroud, and is unable to either prove or disprove if the Shroud of Turin is the linen burial cloth which wrapped the body of Jesus Christ.

Any church or organization interested in hosting a Who is the Man of the Shroud? speaker presentation is invited to contact Pilgrim Center of Hope at 210-521-3377 or by using the contact form above.

Boerne Event Summary

I thought it was very detailed, extremely informative. And you couldn’t find anyone to read it. It was presented so that the the overall opinion and observation was left up to you… It’s all in to make your own decision.
Visitor from Spring Branch, Texas

It was very professional. Really done, full of information… I loved hearing about the research. I have been schooled in research myself.
Visitor from Boerne, Texas

It was very touching and it went through like, a lot of details. Very thorough… I want to share this with people.
Youth Visitor

It was very intriguing, and I feel inspired to learn more about it. I’m anxious to see the next episodes…
Visitor Who Watched the Video Series

I just got to see the exhibits and they were fantastic.
Visitor from Boerne, Texas

From Sunday, February 5 through Wednesday, February 8, 2023, over 1100 adults and youth of various walks of life attended A Journey with the Shroud of Turin, viewing selected displays from the Who is the Man of the Shroud? museum exhibition.

Though speaker presentations focused on the Shroud of Turin are available for organizations and churches, A Journey with the Shroud of Turin was a one-time event to promote the permanent museum exhibition set to open in Spring 2023 at Pilgrim Center of Hope.

The multi-day event was held in the Cana Ballroom at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Boerne, Texas, and was open to the public from morning through evening.

Included were:

• the life-size replica of the Shroud of Turin (thanks to the generous donation of the Catholic Daughters Court #2690 & St. Peter parishioners who covered the cost to frame the over fourteen-foot replica and have it transported from Pilgrim Center of Hope to the venue and back again)
• replicas of crucifixion nails, cap of thorns, Roman flagellum
• informative museum panels
• speaker presentations were offered each morning and evening
• the first two episodes of the Who is the Man of the Shroud? video series playing throughout the day

Monday night of the four-day event included a panel discussion with the video series host, narrator, executive producer, director, and head writer.

St. Peter opened its doors to the public, and to all of their parish youth ministries and parents; including elementary catechesis students, Middle School Edge students, LifeTeen students and confirmation classes.

Adults and youth alike showed great interest in the Shroud of Turin, the most studied archeological object in history, and the mysterious image of the Man of the Shroud. Science has yet to discover how the image of the man appears on the Shroud, and is unable to either prove or disprove if the Shroud of Turin is the linen burial cloth which wrapped the body of Jesus Christ.

Any church or organization interested in hosting a Who is the Man of the Shroud? speaker presentation is invited to contact Pilgrim Center of Hope at 210-521-3377 or by using the contact form above.