Final Paper in the  Post-Graduate Certificate Sindonology

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum | More info

AI Summary of Paper

The paper, “The Holy Shroud Through the Lens of the Theology of the Body: Male & Female, He Redeemed Them,” explores the Shroud of Turin as a record of Christ’s Passion, viewed through St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (TOB). It emphasizes masculine-feminine complementarity, highlighting Mary’s role as the Second Eve in redemption.

Part I summarizes TOB’s anthropology: Original Man experiences solitude, unity, and nakedness before sin; Historical Man faces shame and lust post-Fall, redeemed by Christ; Eschatological Man anticipates eternal communion. Marriage images Christ’s union with the Church, with Mary’s mystical bond to Jesus restoring spousal meaning.

Part II applies TOB to Passion events, correlating Gospel narratives, Jewish wedding customs, and Shroud evidence. The anointing at Bethany prefigures burial; Jerusalem’s entry evokes a bridal procession; temple cleansing prepares the “Father’s house.” The Eucharist redeems desire; scourging and crowning reverse Eden’s curses; nakedness heals shame; Mary’s entrustment to John births the Church spiritually. Golgotha’s garden echoes Eden, with crucifixion fulfilling protoevangelium. Burial rites align with Jewish law, and resurrection manifests glorified humanity.

The conclusion portrays the Shroud as a divine romance: Christ’s sacrifice, amplified by Mary’s co-redemption, restores unity, inviting eternal nuptial joy amid modern distortions of gender and marriage.

Assessor's Comment

Dear Francine,

I thoroughly enjoyed spending the afternoon with your final paper. Congratulations on your excellent work, to which I am pleased to give full marks (10/10).

First, my sincere apologies for the incredibly long wait you’ve endured. I should have graded your paper many months ago. My extended travels compounded the delay, and I regret keeping you waiting.

Let me commend your fine paper, which has considerable strengths. You attempt something genuinely novel: viewing Shroud evidence through Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body framework. You demonstrate a solid grasp of TOB concepts (particularly in Part I). You integrate multiple disciplines—theology, forensic science, Jewish customs, biblical exegesis, and iconography. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the spirit of the Postgraduate Certificate in Shroud Studies. Your bibliography is substantive, including primary sources (JPII, scientific studies) and scholarly secondary sources. I commend you for your hard work and dedication.

Truth be told, as I began reading, I was initially concerned the Shroud would feature only as an afterthought. But this was hardly the case. By my estimation, 15-20 pages deal quite directly with the Shroud. You accurately present the scientific findings and acknowledge uncertainties and alternative theories where appropriate.

As you know, your paper was unconventional in its length. However, given your bold initiative to explore the interplay with TOB, I certainly understand why you felt the need to extend it. In truth, you went beyond the call of duty.

At the risk of majoring in the minors, please allow me a brief word about the aloe and myrrh. Baima Bollone was an Italian forensic pathologist who conducted his own independent research on the Shroud, but he was not part of the official STURP team. STURP itself found no evidence of aloe and myrrh in their 1978 examination, though it did perform extensive chemical analysis.  Baima Bollone used immunofluorscence techniques only on thread samples from the Shroud. He only found traces of aloe and myrrh—nothing close to substantiating that 100 Roman pounds of spices were actually used. That said, while I might have nuanced the discussion slightly here and there, I appreciate your balanced approach. You rightly mention the diversity of opinion on this matter.

Congratulations again on your thorough research. I do hope that you will incorporate some of these insights in your ongoing work as an apostle and catechist. God bless you.

Yours in Christ,

Fr Andrew Dalton, LC, STD
Professore Incaricato