FIDES - Federação Internacional de Estudos Sindonologicos

Created in 2013 on the 30th Anniversary of the Donation by H.M. King Umberto II of Italy of the Holy Shroud of Turin to the H.H. the Pope in the person of Saint John Paul II

I. HISTORICAL AND MEMORIAL JUSTIFICATION

CONSIDERING:
1. The many centuries of ardent devotion to the Holy Relics of Our Lord Jesus Christ and particularly to the Major Relic of the Most Holy Shroud, as was and still is, lived, fostered and promoted by the Ducal and Royal Houses of Savoy (Italy) and Bragança (Portugal);
2. The many centuries of dedicated protection, conservation and exposition of the Holy Relic of the Most Holy Shroud, whilst in the possession of the Ducal and Royal Family of Savoy (Italy), both at Chambery and at Turin Royal Lipsanotecae Sainte Chapelle - (Relic Chapels) and also the various Relic Replicas brought to Oporto, Portugal in exile by H.M. King Carlo Alberto of Savoy (Sardinia), and the Replicas brought to Portugal by Princesses of the Royal House of Savoy (Italy) who became Queens of Portugal and Venerated such Relics in the Royal Palaces of Sintra and Ajuda;
3. The many Saints of the Royal and Ducal Families of Savoy (Italy) and Bragança (Portugal), who were spiritually enriched in their Personal Sanctification by the ancestral Family devotion to the Holy Relics of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and most especially the Major Relic of the Most Holy Shroud;
4. The many centuries of Dynastic and Family ties existing between the Ducal and Royal Houses of Savoy (Italy) and Bragança (Portugal) and the devotion to the Most Holy Shroud as was fostered in the Savoy States of Italy and in the Italian Kingdom by such Portuguese Princess as H.R.H. D. Beatriz de Portugal (1504 - 1538), Duchess of Savoy, (who instituted the tradition of the Solemn Ostentation of the Holy Relic on occasion of Royal Weddings) and in Portugal and throughout the Portuguese Empire by the Savoian Princesses who became Queens of Portugal and particularly, H.M. D. Maria Francesca di Savoia and H.M. D. Maria Pia di Savoia (each of whom brought with them as a Dowry, Copies EXTRACTUM EX ORIGINALIS of the Holy Shroud of Turin, made by Blessed Savoian Princesses and still venerated in Portugal);
5. The great personal devotion of His Majesty King Umberto II di Savoia, (King of Italy) to the Holy Relics of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and most especially the Major Relic of the Most Holy Shroud and his dedication during the years of exile, at Vila Itália, Cascais and at Fatima, Portugal, to the Study of the History of the Cult of the Holy Shroud, his Collection of Holy Relics and Holy Shroud related Books, Manuscripts and Artifacts;
6. That His Majesty King Umberto II di Savoia, (King of Italy), in order to better safeguard, conserve and study the Holy Relic of the Most Holy Shroud at Turin and in a gesture of filial submission to the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church, did Will and Bequeath, in perpetuity, through his Last Will and Testament, said Major Relic to His Holiness the living Pope in the person of Saint Pope John Paul II the Great;
7. The important Scientific, Cultural and Devotional contributions to the Cult (Devotion) and Knowledge of the Most Holy Shroud of Turin by person or persons in the field of Religious, Scientific and Academic Study or Research in the field known as Sindonology
8. The need for the creation of a prestigious religious and secular international body with an award to be conferred under the direct Royal Patronage of the Ducal and Royal Houses of Savoy (Italy) and Bragança (Portugal), to person or persons, (male or female, living or deceased), of any nationality or creed, foreign or national, over the age of 18 years; or collectively to members of any collective body or institution, religious or secular, so as to honor and perpetuate the Historical and Memorial Justifications detailed in this Charter as well as to recognize and distinguish the outstanding contributions to Sindonology and to the Cult of the Most Holy Shroud;

IT IS HEREBY INSTITUTED, HENCE FORWARD AND IN PERPETUITY
F.I.D.E.S – FEDERAÇÃO INTERNACIONAL DE ESTUDOS SINDONOLÓGICOS
(REGALIS SOCIETAS INTERNATIONALIS STUDIORUM SINDONOLOGICORUM)
For the attribution of the
H.M. KING UMBERTO II OF SAVOY HOLY SHROUD MEDAL
FOR DEVOTION, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
(NUMISMA PRO DEVOTIONE ET SCIENTIA S.M. REGIS HUMBERTI II SABAUDIAE)
Instituted at Fatima, Portugal,
On the Feast of the Holy Shroud, May 4th of the Year of Our Lord, MMXIII
30th Anniversary of the Death of His Majesty King Umberto II di Savoia, King of Italy


The Charter to this effect was signed by
H.R.H. Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, Prince of Venice
on belhalf of Crown Prince H.R.H. Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia
and
H.R.H. Prince D. Duarte Pio de Bragança, Duke of Bragança

Ratified on May 2nd of the Year of the Mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ, MMXVI