Read

Watch

Do You Believe? Exploring the Shroud of Turin

Creator:
Published:
December 12, 2023
April 11, 2022
Do you believe? We explore the Shroud of Turin here.|Do you believe? We explore the Shroud of Turin here.

Editor’s note: Keep an eye out next week for our full-length piece about the Shroud of Turin.

The Shroud of Turin is believed to be the cloth that wrapped Jesus’ body when he was taken down from the cross. The most stunning fact about the shroud is that scientists can’t explain how the image of a man’s face and body are imprinted on the cloth — but our faith might hold an answer: the image could have been burned on at the moment of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. So, if it is genuine, the shroud just might be the most important artifact in Christianity.

Over the years, scientists have taken a close look at the shroud to see how the physical evidence lines up with the history of this object. We put one of our best writers on the case — Tara Hunt McMullen is digging into the studies to see what kinds of answers she can find about this mysterious piece of cloth. 

But the questions that cloud around this object are even more interesting than the answers that so many are searching for. What role does physical evidence play in faith? Even if we had 100 percent certainty that the shroud is real, would it compel belief? How certain do we need to be in order to have faith? Or is doubt and uncertainty inherent elements of faith? And how can faith and science work together in pursuing truth?

Our senior editor, Josh Noem, dives into these questions — as well as the most compelling pieces of evidence from shroud studies — with Tara. Watch their conversation here:

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 12, 2023
April 11, 2022
On a related note...
The Feast of the Annunciation Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

The Feast of the Annunciation Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Bible Characters Party Game

Bible Characters Party Game

Grotto

Easter Joy Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Easter Joy Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

This Ethical Trade Coffee Supports Small Farmers

This Ethical Trade Coffee Supports Small Farmers

Grotto Shares

What's 'Inside' Bo Burnham — an Angel or Demon?

What's 'Inside' Bo Burnham — an Angel or Demon?

Becky Rogers, "Father Greg Haake, CSC"

Need a Dose of Joy? Try This Cookie Recipe From a Medieval Saint

Need a Dose of Joy? Try This Cookie Recipe From a Medieval Saint

Maureen O'Brien

How a Year of Service Broke Me Open

How a Year of Service Broke Me Open

Janelle Peregoy

How I Found Community As a Queer Catholic

How I Found Community As a Queer Catholic

Michael Tarui

The History of Lent and Why It Matters

The History of Lent and Why It Matters

Sarah Coffey

3 Things to Know Before Going to a Catholic Wedding This Summer

3 Things to Know Before Going to a Catholic Wedding This Summer

Josh Noem

The “Media Nun” Brings Joy to the Internet

The “Media Nun” Brings Joy to the Internet

Grotto

St. John the Apostle Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. John the Apostle Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

‘Real+True’ — A New Platform Bringing Depth to Your Feed

‘Real+True’ — A New Platform Bringing Depth to Your Feed

Grotto Shares

3 Things to Consider Before Entering Grad School

3 Things to Consider Before Entering Grad School

Molly Gettinger

Prayers from Your Childhood To Get You Through Your Day

Prayers from Your Childhood To Get You Through Your Day

Grotto

My Hollywood Dreams Were Coming True, But I Still Felt Empty

My Hollywood Dreams Were Coming True, But I Still Felt Empty

Tanner Kalina

"God ate"

"God ate"

Bond Warner Strong

Lenten Bundle: What You Need for the Next 40 Days

Lenten Bundle: What You Need for the Next 40 Days

Grotto

The Promise of My Faith

The Promise of My Faith

Javi Zubizarreta

The Commencement Address We Can’t Stop Thinking About

The Commencement Address We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Mike Jordan Laskey

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.