See Shroud of Turin Replica at Pa. Church

A replica of the iconic Shroud of Turin—believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus—is on display in a Pennsylvania church until March 8 as the faithful observe the sacred season of Lent.

The replica—one of nine such reproductions authorized by the Vatican—is displayed at St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County. Shenandoah is about 60 miles northwest of Allentown.

The church, which is the oldest Greek Catholic or Eastern Rite church in America, is located at 114 S. Chestnut Street.

The exhibit is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Friday.

The following services are scheduled:

• Rosary: 3 p.m. daily
• Wednesday: Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts at 4 p.m. followed by healing service at 5 p.m.
• Thursday: Prayer service at noon

The Shroud of Turin is a centuries-old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man.

Is it really the cloth that wrapped his crucified body, or is it simply a medieval forgery, a hoax perpetrated by some clever artist? Modern science has completed hundreds of thousands of hours of detailed study and intense research on the Shroud. It is, in fact, the single most studied artifact in human history, according to the Shroud of Turin website.

Pope Benedict, in one of his last official acts before stepping down last week, has authorized a television showing of the actual Shroud on March 30 for about one hour.

Do you believe the Shroud of Turn is the actual burial cloth of Jesus? Tell us in the comments section below.