Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus: The Devotion for our Times

By a Carmelite Nun of the Holy Face

Our recently published book entitled, “Beyond the Veil: The Holy Face Devotion in the Light of
Sacred Scripture,” is the result of several years of prayerful study of the references to the Holy
Face scattered throughout the Bible, combined with patient and painstaking research into
Catholic doctrine and the lives and writings of the Saints.

The Holy Face Devotion is not a new devotion. In a sense it is the oldest devotion in the world,
for all mankind has been created in God’s Image, and is called to develop a likeness to that
Divine Image as well. However, the Holy Face Devotion has assumed a new relevance and
importance in recent times because it has been designated as the divine remedy for
Communism which has now spread its subtle influence to every country. Though Atheistic
Communism adopts many different disguises and goes by many different names, it is the
underlying force which has already brought tremendous suffering and bloodshed to many
nations and which is responsible for the catastrophe and chaos now threatening to assume
global proportions. The errors of Communism, though they have often resulted in physical wars
and revolutions, are primarily spiritual errors. Spiritual weapons are therefore needed to
effectively defeat them; and in the Holy Face Devotion, rightly understood and practiced, we
shall find all we need to obtain the victory.

This Devotion, so inseparably connected with the Work of Reparation, was providentially
chosen to be the special charism of our little Carmelite Community at a time when but few had
recognised it as the solution to the serious problems which are confronting us both in Church
and in society. Naturally we have read most of the literature available on the subject. In doing
so, we became aware of the need for an in-depth spiritual study of the Holy Face Devotion since
almost every other author has limited themselves to a historical or philosophical approach.
History is important, and philosophy likewise has its place; but knowledge must be translated
into practice if it is to be of profit to the soul. As the title suggests, “Beyond the Veil” guides the
reader to penetrate deeper into the mystery of the Holy Face of Jesus, passing beyond the
external elements of the Devotion into a more perfect understanding and practice of it.
Some of the earlier chapters are devoted to explaining the origins of the Holy Face Devotion
and its intimate connection with the life of sanctifying grace. The Catholic doctrine concerning
Purgatory and Hell is likewise explored from this perspective. For some, it may seem an
unnecessary statement of the obvious; but for the sake of the many who suffer from the
widespread lack of sound catechetical instruction, it was necessary to include at least a brief
recapitulation of these most important truths of our faith insofar as they relate to our study of
the Holy Face Devotion.

Chapter 6 provides a basic description of Communist philosophy as opposed to Christianity;

The Face of Christ disfigured in the Passion and comforted by the Work of Reparation are the
next topics considered which take on a new meaning and relevance when seen in connection
with the present crisis in the Church. A few chapters are devoted to considering the Holy Face
Devotion in relation to the Sacred Heart, to blasphemy, to Our Lady, and to the spirituality of
the Carmelite Order. The remaining chapters focus more on the Holy Face in our interior life
and in the Holy Eucharist. Drawing upon the teaching of ascetical and mystical theology, they
invite the reader to persevere in the spiritual battle with renewed courage and a confident hope
of victory. The ultimate goal is to contemplate the Holy Face unveiled in the Beatific Vision
which is the subject of Chapter 18. The concluding chapter is an appeal to all Christians to
become Veronicas – true images of Christ – and to strive earnestly for that sanctity to which we
are all called. Finally, an appendix contains a brief description of our way of life as Carmelites of
the Holy Face.

Ignorance of Catholic doctrine and shallow sentimentality in devotion go hand in hand. It is this,
perhaps more than anything else, which has contributed to the spread of Communism and
allowed it to gain so great an influence in our modern world. That is one reason why we believe
this book will be useful to all those who are searching for a means of combatting Communism,
as well as to those who are yearning for a deeper relationship with God. By focussing on the
Holy Face of Jesus as the centre of all our spiritual endeavours, it presents the spiritual combat
under its truest and most appealing aspect.

The Holy Face is not merely the countenance of someone far off in Heaven, but of One who is
intimately present to us. It is the Face of our God; a God who lives in our hearts by grace, who
loves us with an intimate love, and who yearns for our love in return. Too often the keeping of
the Commandments and the fulfilment of our religious duties are seen as an inconvenient
burden because we lack this affective approach to the spiritual life. In other cases,
sentimentality gets the upper hand, resulting in an obvious inconsistency between the
devotional practices we adopt and the way in which we live.

The Holy Face Devotion is firmly based upon doctrine. Catholic doctrine is nothing other than
divine revelation which is contained in two distinct, though harmonious sources: Sacred
Scripture and Holy Tradition. In addition to numerous scriptural quotations, the writings of the
Fathers of the Church, the Papal Encyclicals (prior to Vatican II), and the infallible teachings of
the Catholic Church are therefore often referenced throughout this book, providing excellent
matter for meditation and further reflection. This prayerful and practical application of what we
read to our own particular circumstances is essential, for as Fr. Samuel M. Waters so rightly says
in the preface which he contributed to our book, “If we do not relate what we believe (Faith) to
our daily living (Moral life), our spiritual life and our pursuit of Eternal Salvation will die.”

True love for the Holy Face of Jesus and a practical understanding of this most necessary
Devotion will be of immense benefit to everyone in creating a right approach to the spiritual life
and in safely navigating the evils of these times. But in order for that to happen, we must be
willing to put in the effort. “Beyond the Veil” explains the nature, the means, the motives and
the end of the spiritual combat. By prayerfully pondering on the thoughts it suggests and
putting them into action, we shall gradually be transformed into the saints which God intends
us to be. We shall thus become Communism’s greatest opponents and will benefit to the full
from the magnificent promises attached to the Holy Face Devotion, which is truly the Devotion
for our times.

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‘Beyond the Veil’ is available worldwide on Amazon. Paperback copies can also be obtained
directly from the Carmelites of the Holy Face for €15.00 Euro each plus postage. For US and
most other international customers, it will be more economical to order directly from Amazon
because of the cost of postage from Ireland. For bulk orders of 5 copies or more, write to
carmelitesholyface.com/contact and the Sisters will arrange to have "author copies" sent to
you for $15.00 USD each (paperback) or $20.00 USD each (hardcover), including postage.