PRESS RELEASE

Saint Peter’s Basilica: On 22 March, the rite of the Holy Face will be repeated

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, 22 March, the Major Relic of the “Holy Face” (the Veil of Veronica) will once again be displayed.

VATICAN, 18 MAR – On Sunday 22 March, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Saint Peter’s Basilica will serve as the station church. This is a rite of ancient tradition in the Roman Church during Lent, in which the faithful and pilgrims – every day for forty days – gather and make a stop at one of the city’s churches where relics of martyrs and saints are venerated.

At 18.00, during the singing of the litanies, the faithful will walk through the aisles of the Basilica. From the Loggia della Veronica, the relic of the Holy Face (Veil of Veronica) will be displayed.

This will be followed, at the Altar of the Cathedra, by the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, in the presence of the canons of the Basilica, priests wishing to concelebrate, and the holy people of God.

ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate must apply, no later than 48 hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at: press@vatican.va/accreditamenti