On 21-29 December, 2025, the exhibition called “Ostentation of the Holy Tunic of Christ”, the garment Jesus was wearing during his Passion, will be visible in the entrance hall of the Montligeon shrine, at normal opening times.
The previous ostentation, which took place back in 2016 in Argenteuil, had drawn over 200 000 pilgrims. As a matter of fact, the Holy Tunic, which is laid in a reliquary in the Saint-Denys basilica, is rarely shown to the general public. Now, with the next Jubilee on Hope due to be initiated on December 24, Bp Stanislas Lalanne, former bishop of Pontoise, decided to host a new ostentation for the period April 18-May 11 2025 at the basilica of Argenteuil, near Paris. “The public will be encouraged to go through a genuine experience, discovering this piece of unique clothing which is a true relic of the way of the Cross and is the subject of a spiritual meditation on the suffering of Christ, as well as it is a priceless treasure in the French religious heritage. Whatever the visitors’ beliefs, it is an opportunity for them to journey towards the mystery of faith and be part of a universal gathering to express the unity of the Church with its savior.” In the meantime, a traveling exhibition has been touring the French basilicas and shrines since last October. It is presently taking place at the Montligeon shrine for a week.
A coveted object
The holy garment, which Jesus wore during his Passion about 2,000 years ago, has been much coveted throughout its history. As it turns out, this piece of seamless fabric worn by Christ during His crucifixion came close to being torn to pieces by his persecutors right from the start. “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’ ” (John 19 23-24) Finally, according to tradition, the tunic was brought back in Gaul at the beginning of Christianity and then given by Charlemagne to his daughter who was the abbess of the Argenteuil monastery. It has been laying there since, despite the many downs experienced throughout history. Comprised with twelve panels, or ‘kakemonos’, the exhibition goes through the stages of its history and invites the visitors to meditation and prayer.
A symbol for the Passion of Christ
More than a major relic in the history of Christianity, the garment has become the sacred symbol of the suffering Jesus endured for us at the end of his ministry, as well as an object of contemplation of his Passion. “We honor the relics of the martyrs to adore him for whom they shed their blood“. (Sermon 273) wrote Saint Augustine. Come and discover the sacred history of this priceless garment, which bears the stigmata of the sacrifice of a God made man for the salvation of humanity and the redemption of sins.
We are encouraged to meditate on Jesus’ holiness and royalty in the light of the Pope Francis’ words in his homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe: “His throne is the cross; his crown is of thorns; he has no scepter but a reed is put in his hand; he wears no sumptuous garments but is deprived of his tunic.” This much-disucsssed tunic has already been scientifically proven to belong.
The purpose of the traveling exhibition is to showcase this history and invite visitors to the basilicas and sanctuaries to take part in the ostentasion, which will take place from April 18 to May 11 at the Argenteuil basilica.
Exhibition until December 29, 2024:
Monday-Saturday:
9 am – 12.30 pm / 1.30 pm – 6 pm
Sundays and public holidays:
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
