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The Holy Shroud is a one-piece linen cloth 14ft. 3in. long by 3ft. 7in. wide,
having a surface of roughly 52 square feet. The color of the cloth is a faded
ivory with reddish outlines. This was not the original color, for it had to be a
pure linen. Time, and the smoke and heat of the fire have given it a yellowish
hue.
Dr. Hynek, a Czechoslovakian
doctor who has made a careful investigation of the Holy Shroud, tells us that on
this large linen cloth we clearly see the frontal and dorsal imprints of a tall
masculine corpse. The corpse had been placed on one half of the linen sheet upon
which the contour of the head, neck, back and musculature of the pelvis and
lower members are imprinted. The other half was drawn over the head and
completely covered the frontal part of the corpse upon which the face, breast,
crossed hands and lower members are imprinted.
The figure is that of a
majestic man who clearly bears the marks of the Passion of our Lord conformable
to the accounts of the Evangelists. A simple examination clearly discloses the
marks of the scourging and the bruises, the
wounds in the hands, feet and side.
That which is most striking is
the face. A serene face, bordered by long hair, energetic nose slightly
elongated; expressive eyebrows and high forehead; a short noble beard and
mustache, and the firm curved lips of a well designed mouth; the face of an
ascetic, a man of that determination with an expression of serene tranquility,
of noble perfection, wholly spiritual.
Dr. Hynek concludes: "We will
never be able to imagine anything more impressing, more fascinating, than the
profound spiritual fortitude that radiates from the impression of the mysterious
Face of the Holy Shroud."
There is no other face that can
be compared with it. This truly can only be the Holy Face of The God-Man.
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