Shroud of Turin Presentation at Holy Name of Mary Church in Ellicottville
Shroud of Turin Presentation at Holy Name of Mary Church in Ellicottville
Join Jeffrey Skurka on Saturday, Nov. 22 at Holy Name of Mary Church for a free presentation on the Shroud of Turin, exploring its history, science, and connection to Christ’s resurrection.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Shroud of Turin on display in 2010 at the Turin Cathedral (also called the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist) in Turin, Italy. Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Turin (2010 Shroud Exhibition)
The season of Advent is almost here! Beginning Sunday, November 30th, the season of Advent, which includes the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, is a time of preparation and anticipation for Christians all over the world. From the Latin word adventus, which means “coming,” Advent is a reminder of the hope and promise in Christ’s birth and resurrection. All are invited to prepare their hearts and minds for Christmas on Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00pm in a special presentation on the Shroud of Turin at Holy Name of Mary Church, 20 Jefferson St., Ellicottville.
Jeffrey Skurka, a professional engineer whose work has included several nuclear projects across the country, is looking forward to sharing his presentation on the fascinating scientific data from the Shroud and its connection to Christ’s resurrection. The Shroud of Turin, which is a length of linen measuring approximately 14 feet in length, is believed to be the burial garment of Jesus Christ. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the cloth has been preserved since 1578 in Turin, Italy in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista.
Over the centuries, many have debated the authenticity of the shroud, which is not merely a plain length of fabric. Rather, the cloth has “two faint brownish images, those of the back and front of a gaunt, sunken-eyed 5-foot 7-inch tall man - as if a body had been laid on its back lengthwise along one half of the shroud while the other half had been doubled over the head to cover the whole front of the body, from face to feet (Encyclopedia Britannica). Additionally, the images appear to have the markings of Christ’s crucifixion wounds, along with multiple stains believed to be blood.
The first historical account of the shroud is from 1354, and since then, multiple popes have arranged public displays, and it’s been the inspiration for pilgrimages for many Christians. In 1988, the Vatican provided small samples of the shroud for carbon dating. At that time, three labs concluded that the shroud had been made in the thirteenth or fourteenth century, but their methodology was questioned, and environmental carbon contamination was suggested. In 2022, Italian researchers published a study from the use of wide-angle x-ray scattering to analyze the shroud; it was found to be compatible with another linen sample dated 55 to 74 CE, thus supporting the idea that the Shroud is actually from the time of Christ.
Learn more about this incredible piece of history on Saturday evening at Holy Name of Mary Church in Ellicottville. The event is free to attend, and Skurka encourages even the staunchest critics to bring their curiosity and questions.