Father Lorenzo had served the same dusty hilltop parish for forty years. But he had never, until tonight, celebrated the Messa Volto Santo .

“He asked why we only call upon His face when we are afraid. And why we never come just to say good morning.”

The townsfolk whispered. Wells ran bitter. A stillborn lamb had three eyes.

Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff to visit the shrine, elevating its global profile.

Marta said nothing. She only crossed herself and began locking the church doors, one by one.

In modern times, the "Messa del Volto Santo" has gained renewed interest due to the rediscovery of the , another image of the Holy Face located in the Abruzzo region. Pope Benedict XVI elevated the status of this sanctuary, and Masses celebrated there focus on the transparency of the veil as a symbol of the Resurrection—the face of the living Christ appearing through the shroud of death.

The parallel between the "True Face" on the veil and the "True Presence" in the bread and wine.

Homilies often focus on Psalm 27:8—"Your face, Lord, do I seek."

He began the prayers in a low voice. Introibo ad altare Dei . As he recited, the air grew thick, as if the crypt were filling with invisible water. The candle flame stretched sideways, then stood straight again.

Lorenzo touched his own cheek. It was wet. He hadn’t realized he’d been crying.

Durante la Messa del Volto Santo, vengono svolte varie cerimonie religiose e riti speciali, tra cui la lettura di brani sacri, il canto di inni e l'esposizione della reliquia. La messa è un momento importante per la comunità locale e per i fedeli che giungono da tutta Italia per onorare il Volto Santo.