HOLY FACE OF TOURS
Our main devotion is to the Holy Face of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the devotion of Tours. To contemplate the face of Christ is to find again the face of the Father — it is to let Jesus himself look upon us, heal us, console us and strengthen us.
Like Saint Thérèse, we want to spend our lives loving this adorable Face and making it loved. The Holy Face is a promise of blessings for the families who honor it in their homes, and that is why it is at the center of our mission.
“Whoever contemplates the Face of Jesus never walks alone again.”
The 4 who began the call of the Holy Face
Sister Mary of Saint Peter
The Origin
Discalced Carmelite of the Carmel of Tours, France (1816–1848). Around 1844, Our Lord revealed to her the devotion to the Holy Face and entrusted to her the Golden Arrow prayer, which makes reparation for blasphemies against the Holy Name and against the Holy Face. From the beginning, the meaning of the devotion is clear: reparation — consoling the wounded Face of Christ.
“To contemplate, to make reparation to and to love the Face of Christ.”
Léon Papin-Dupont The Propagator
Layman and lawyer, known as “the Holy Man of Tours” (1797–1876). He brought from Rome the image of the Holy Face linked to the veil of Saint Veronica and, even in the face of prohibition, set up an oratory in his home, where the devotion stayed alive and spread. A model of lay apostolate and persevering prayer.
“Devotion is never put out; it only hides, like embers under the ashes.”
Blessed Maria Pierina De Micheli The Revival
Religious of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception, Italy (1890–1945). At the express request of Christ, she revived the devotion in the 20th century and promoted the Holy Face Medal, with the Face taken from the Holy Shroud. Beatified in 2010.
“No one gives Me a kiss of love on My Face to make reparation for the kiss of Judas.”
Servant of God Maria Concetta Pantusa
The Precious Coin
Mother, wife, Catholic lay mystic and faithful servant. Through her, Jesus revealed the truth of the “Precious Coin”: His Holy Face is like a coin minted by the King of the Universe himself — the surest pledge before Divine Justice, able to obtain everything from the Father. Not made of corruptible gold or silver, but minted with the most holy Humanity of Christ, marked with the seal of the Divinity and bathed in the Blood of the Redemption. She taught that this Coin must be offered with deep humility and in perfect harmony with the Divine Will — never as a talisman for selfish whims. And she left us the prayer of offering:
“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Holy Face of Thy Son, disfigured out of love for us, in reparation for our sins and for those of the whole world.”
Our spiritual family
We walk supported by a great family that intercedes for us and teaches us to live God’s love in practice.
Mother of the Mission
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Mother who leads us to the heart of her Son and covers us with her mantle.
Father of the Mission
Saint Joseph
Protector of the Holy Family, model of fathers, husbands and workers
Patroness
Saint Rita of Cascia
Patroness of impossible causes and of families.
Patron
Saint Jude Thaddeus
The friend of those who seek hope in difficult causes.
Mystic saints
Saint Padre Pio, Saint Faustina and Saint Thérèse Children of the fire of the Spirit, models of prayer, mercy and love for the Holy Face.
Saint Thérèse
Saint Faustina
Saint Padre Pio
