Father Brian Lynch, associate pastor of Transfiguration in Oakdale, has had a keen interest in the Shroud of Turin for more than 20 years. He also worked as a scientist for 3M, which is based in Maplewood, in the 1990s. So, when a friend of the parish who had worked for 3M in Europe offered Transfiguration an image of the original shroud about a year ago, it appeared a heavenly coincidence.
Father Lynch said 3M was involved in Shroud of Turin research in the late 1970s and developed a tape used to remove material from the surface of the shroud. He believes the adhesive’s special formulation prevented contamination from the tape onto the shroud.
The parish recently placed the approximately half-size image of the shroud on display in its Elijah Gallery between the main church and chapel. People are invited to view the image after Mass or during weekday office hours, Father Lynch said.
