Episode 359: The Holy Face of Jesus: A Forgotten Devotion for Our Time with Fr. Lawrence Carney

Devotions in the Church often rise and fall in popularity, but some are providentially renewed for a particular moment in history. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney and Fr. Lawrence Carney explore the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus—its origins, spiritual depth, and relevance today.

Fr. Edward shares how he was first introduced to the Holy Face devotion after leaving seminary in 2008 and how it quietly shaped his spiritual life. Fr. Carney traces the history of the devotion, explains why he believes it deserves renewed attention—especially among diocesan priests—and recounts how he personally encountered it.

Together, they discuss what the devotion looks like in daily life, from the simple prayer “Lord, show us Thy face and we shall be saved” to the importance of enrollment and consecration. The conversation also explores St. Martin of Tours’ surprising connection to the Holy Face, the sainthood cause of the religious sister instrumental in spreading the devotion, and why consecrating oneself to the Holy Face remains meaningful amid so many other consecrations.

Finally, they unpack the Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive stages of the spiritual life that shape the consecration, drawing on great 20th-century spiritual theologians, and clarify the relationship between the Veil of Manoppello, the Shroud of Turin, and the Veil of Veronica—what they share and how they differ.

A rich conversation for anyone seeking to deepen their prayer and gaze more intentionally upon the Face of Christ.

Buy the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/preparation-for-total-consecration-to-the-holy-face-of-jesus-how-god-draws-the-soul-into-the-purgative-illuminative-and-unitive-ways/?srsltid=AfmBOorPX-h-1605TDIsVzZM-UGbE23INOZMscfA-zwehgto-kno6AQ4