‘Face of God’ Author Paul Badde, a Candle Burning Within My Heart Forever

Renowned, German Catholic journalist Paul Badde, whose friendship and epic book, ‘Face of God’, forever changed my life, passed away on Nov. 10.

I was grateful to Florida friend Kathie Mattson for emailing me Catholic author Alan Holdren’s (Catholic Vote, Nov. 28, 2025) tribute to Paul this morning.

“Paul called the Holy Face of Manoppello ‘the story of my life,’ by which he meant it was the biggest story he had ever come across: Christ’s face emblazoned on a transparent byssus silk veil which perfectly matches the visage in the Shroud of Turin, tucked behind the altar in a backwoods basilica,” Holdren wrote. “Totally accessible, as Christ should be. Transparent from some angles and in some lighting, but from others, there he is: ‘Jesus Christ!’”

My friendship with Paul started on May 6, 2011 when I wrote about his soul inspiring book. It was on Mother’s Day that year that he sent me an email greeting, reading “Happy Mother’s Day from Rome!”

We stayed in touch over the years, and a prized picture of the Holy Face of Manoppello he sent me from his portfolio, hangs to this day on the wall by my bed. It is the last thing I see before falling asleep, at night, and the first thing I see upon awakening each morning.

Paul later sent me a compelling video about the story of the Holy Face of Manoppello still posted on CFP’s website, gleaning some 54,000 views on Rumble and Youtube, which I consider our most cherished video.

The timing of Holdren’s tribute to Paul that came my way during Advent has special meaning for me. Paul and I always wrote to each other on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve, 2019:

“Dearest Paul,

“Sending wishes for a Blessed and Merry Christmas to my favourite writer!

“More than 15,000 people—and still counting--have viewed your wonderful video:'Paul Badde: The Holy Face of Jesus the Veil of Manoppello' on the Canada Free Press front page. I regard it as our news site’s most cherished item:

“Embraces my dear Judi right from St. Peter’s Midnight mass and Love Paul!”

December 21, 2021:

Dearest Paul,

I think of you often, pray for you every day—and especially at this most Blessed time of year!

For you are the one who brought me to the Holy Face of God in the most wonderful book ever written!!

Wishing a Blessed Merry Christmas to You and your Loved Ones!

Ever Yours,

Judi

“Agh, Judi, my dear! Thank you for every prayer and please keep praying for my health and high blood pressure, that I might finish another desired book of mine about the most beautiful Icon of Our Lady, the hidden Advocata in a remote monastery here in Rome.

“Hugs & pace e bene for all your beloved ones, also by my Ellen.

“Yours, Paul

Holdren’s tribute to Paul comes one day after the Canadian federal government, in a promise to the Quebec government is banning any and all references to Scripture in their dreaded imminent Bill C-9, Combatting Hate Act, intention of which is to drive all independent, conservative Christian websites like CFP offline.

in spite of the federal legislation, my belief in God Almighty’s Scripture will live on in my heart and soul forever.

“Holdren wrote, “The rosary was his (Paul’s) anchor. Even after multiple strokes, Holdren explained, Badde prayed it daily — often walking through St. Peter’s Basilica, weaving past altars and tombs as he recited each mystery aloud.(Catholic Vote)

“Without Paul’s mentorship and friendship, I wouldn’t have been so close to the sacraments and ultimately closer to Christ in this life,” Holdren said.

“He had been through hard times. He was incredibly shrewd as a journalist. Yet, he had a childlike trust in God and his hand in his story. He believed in God’s infinite mercy and trusted in his love and forgiveness, and he found a way to share that with me and countless others.

“Badde died in Manoppello and was buried in the cemetery beside the shrine that houses the Holy Face. At his request, Holdren said, earth from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was scattered over his coffin.

“Reflecting on his friend’s legacy, Holdren wrote that Badde’s impact on him and countless other souls “has been unquantifiable.”

“He brought us along for the ride, but toward the only destination that matters,” Holdren concluded. “My prayer is that he now has all the answers he searched for on earth as, God willing, he passes eternity face-to-face with Jesus Christ.”

Even in these darkest of times a Paul Badde candle burns brightly in my heart.

Instead of emailing him a Christmas Eve message this year, this year’s Christmas Eve message will be a fervent Heaven-sent prayer to him.