OUR LADY OF CLOS EVRARD, TRIER, GERMANY

WHERE THE SEAM OUR LORD WORE AT THE CRUCIFIXION IS KEPT

The shrine of Our Lady of Clos Evrard is in the city of Trier, 1449, which is called Treves in English language. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded before the time of Christ on the bank of the Moselle River.

An image of the Blessed Virgin was fastened to an oak tree by a wine-dresser, who wished to honour Our Lady; but Our Lady ordered him to build a small hut in her honour.

The miracles which where wrought there caused this hut first to be changed into a little chapel, and finally into a church which was dedicated to Our Lady of Clos Evrard in the year 1449 by James de Siruq, Archbishop of Treves, who strove to restore order to the confused finances of the diocese.

Trier boasted of having Christian citizens as early as the second century, and had a bishop in the third.

The city of Trier is also the location of the famous cathedral of Trier, which has the unique privilege of having among its precious relics the Robe of Christ, the Holy Coat as it is called. It is believed to be the seamless garment of Christ, and is of a plain brownish fabric that appears to be linen or cotton.

During an investigation that took place in 1890 and 1891, it was found that the relic had not even any trace of a seam.

According to tradition, it is the garment over which the soldiers cast lots during the Crucifixion of Christ. The relic was sent to Trier by the Empress Saint Helena, and there is an ancient document of Pope Sylvester written to the church of Trier which mentions the garment.

There were two expositions of the Holy Coat in the year 1844, with more than a million Catholic pilgrims flocking to Trier on the 18th of August and 6th of October to view the relic. It is recorded that there were a number of wonderful cures among the faithful. Another exposition took place from August 20, to October in the year 1891, with nearly two million pilgrims attending.

Again, there were many accounts of miracles that occurred during the exposition. After another exposition in 1959, the relic was placed inside an ornate reliquary in a chapel where it can be found even to this day.

Apart from the Holy Coat, there is also on display one of the nails which was used to crucify Our Lord Jesus Christ. I