Relic donated by pilgrim: P7
APIECE of the veil reportedly worn by Christ’s mother Mary as she wept at the foot of the cross will go on display in a church in North Wales.
The relic was donated to St Peter’s Church in Pwllheli by a woman who regularly visited the church while suffering from terminal cancer.
Father Huw Bryant, associate priest in the Bro Enlli ministry area, is now looking at how to display the gift.
Fr Bryant said: “Not many people know that Pwllheli was once an important pilgrimage site. We tend to focus more on the ancient pilgrimage route to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey).
“Three years ago, we reopened the medieval shrine of Mair Morwyn Y Môr/ Our lady of Pen Llŷn, which is where we often see pilgrims coming to sit in the shrine on quiet occasions and seek solace, healing and peace.
“One such pilgrim came, suffering from terminal cancer.
“She did not ask for healing, but for the strength to accept her death and find peace.
“This she received and in thanksgiving organised a gift to the shrine upon her death - this piece of the veil worn by the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Christ’s cross.”
It is thought the whole veil had been transferred in the early years of Christianity from Jerusalem to Constantinople when it was presented by the Byzantine Empress Irene to the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.
In 876 his descendant, Charles the Bald, gave the relic to the cathedral at Chartres where it is kept to this day in a golden reliquary beside the high altar.
The veil itself is more than six metres long and made of silk.
Scientific studies have shown it is of Syrian design, fine quality and dates to the time of Christ.
Fr Bryant added: “The piece we have been given was removed from the full veil in 1829 and sealed with Spanish wax, bearing the imprint of the coat of arms of Fr Giuseppe Mancini, Archbishop of Sienna, into a beautiful silver baroque monstrance.
“The accompanying document of authenticity is also signed by Father Mancini.
“We are now looking at plans as to how we can house this important relic so that it can be on permanent display for pilgrims to come and seek Mary’s prayers.
“The display of the relic is going to form part of a larger investment in St Peter’s.
“In partnership with our Diocese, we are looking at a £600,000 to £700,000 investment to develop both the shrine and the church as a community space.”
A Mass of Celebration for the gift will be held at St Peter’s Church on Saturday, January 19 at 2pm.