PRAYER AT THE HOLY SHROUD
Lord Jesus Christ, through your passion, death and resurrection you redeem us and raise us to new life in the Spirit. As we venerate the Holy Shroud, wonderful icon of your suffering, we are moved by your love revealed here in all its lowly majesty.
By meditating on your sacrifice, teach us the way of salvation so that we may embrace the fullness of life you offer us. Help us to take up our cross each day and to follow you joyfully along the path of discipleship.
Take us into your pierced Heart, opened on the cross for us. There, transformed by your grace, may we be renewed, made holy and consecrated to your service.
Accept us, Lord, as an offering, an oblation, to serve you faithfully, so we too may become icons of your mercy, a living Gospel, to proclaim your boundless love to the men and women of our time. Hear our prayer, Lord Jesus, for we trust in you. Amen.
Child’s Prayer before the Holy Burial Shroud of Our Lord (Plashchanytsia)
Those who want to venerate the shroud should approach it on their knees and make a profound bow (head to floor) twice. Then they can say the following prayer or pray in their own words.
Lord Jesus, I am sad that you had to suffer so much. You were blamed unfairly, you were made fun of, you were beaten, then you were nailed to a cross. Your friends ran away instead of standing up for you. I don’t really understand all of what happened.
But I do know that you did all this because you wanted to show all people what true love is. It means loving even if it hurts, even giving up your life for those you love. Thank you for loving us so much. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me when I do wrong and hurt other people. Thank you for choosing me to be your follower. Help me to be faithful to you all my life. I love you.
After the prayer, they kiss the hands and the feet of Our Lord. If possible, some may kiss the wound where the lance pierced his side. They make one more profound bow, move to the side and leave by making the Sign of the Cross bending from the waist towards the shroud.
Sing or pray as you sit in front of the Holy Shroud.
