A simple abridgment of the story of the “Veronica” of the Vatican is no longer sufficient to satisfy the pious curiosity of the reader. For now the friend of the Holy Face ardently desires to be made acquainted with everything that is connected with a devotion, the progress of which becomes every day more striking. Other analogous subjects, not less interesting, deserve to attract his attention; it is therefore our wish to give a sketch of some amongst them.

During long centuries, Flanders and Hainault, situated on the borders of France and Belgium, united in offering public worship to an ancient picture which was a copy of the one at Rome. It was styled the Holy Face of Montreuil-les-Dames, now transferred to Notre-Dame de Laon. Three towns in catholic Spain, Jaen, Osa de la Vega and Alicante, have possessed from time immemorial celebrated pictures of the Holy Face which have been the objects of public veneration. Three years ago, the archiepiscopal city of Lucca, in Tuscany, solemnized by a triduum of splendid feasts, which were at once religious and secular in character, the eleventh centenary of the Volto Santo, which the people look upon as their joy and their treasure.

It has seemed to us that the servants of the Holy Face, who earnestly desire to follow the example set them by M. Dupont in glorifying the divine Effigy of the crucified Christ, ought not to remain ignorant of what took place in former ages and of what still occurs at the present day in these memorable localities. Above all it is well they should thoroughly understand that the devotion which they practice with so much ardor is not a new idea to the Church; that it has existed at all times and everywhere; that it dates from the origin of Christianity; and that, in many places, respecting which we are far too ignorant, it has had its sanctuaries, its altars, its feasts, its confraternities, its pilgrimages, its processions, and its different institutions, according to the character of the people and in conformity with what was required in varying circumstances.

It is these incidents, therefore, with which this little book will make our readers acquainted, not by means of reasoning or discussion, but through the teaching of history and the recital of facts.

Our small volume is composed of eight different notices devoted to the Holy Face of the Vatican, — the Holy Face of Montreuil-sous-Laon, — the Holy Face of Jaen, — the Holy Face of Osa de la Vega, — the Holy Face of Alicante,— the Holy Face of Lucca, — the Holy Face of Tours, — and the Holy Face of Edessa.

In order that these modest pages might be compiled with a view to the utmost possible accuracy, we have had recourse to documents, printed or in manuscript, obtained from the localities themselves and which have been supplied to us by competent persons. Kindly hands have moreover helped us to draw them up. To avoid the too great multiplication of notes at the bottom of the pages, we have added to each recital a summary account of the principal sources, to which we have had recourse.

It will be easily perceived that we have not given to the subject the amplification suitable to it; in order to do so, volumes would have been necessary. Many other pictures of the Holy Face, and innumerable other portraits of Our Lord are equally worthy of respect and of study. But in order to keep within due limits, we have by preference chosen those which seemed to be the most closely connected with the works of reparation practiced in the Oratory at Tours. Our object will have been attained, if our pious readers, rejoicing in and encouraged by the great examples and the marvels of grace of which they have perhaps been hitherto ignorant, should feel themselves to be more than ever determined to invoke in their needs the sorrowful Face of our Lord, and to offer to it fervent acts of faith and of expiation in compensation for the outrages inflicted upon it at the present day.

P. JANVIER.