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| The reliquary holding Mary's tunic which is carried on the 70-mile Chartres pilgrimage. |
The pilgrimage is led by participants carrying the "glory of Chartres," a relic believed to be the tunic Mary wore when she gave birth to the Christ child. Here's an article about its history:
The Veil of the Virgin, or Sancta camisia in Chartres
"This silk relic kept at Chartres is believed to have been worn by Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. Byzantine Empress Irene of Constantinople sent it as a gift to Charlemagne, whose grandson Charles the Bald donated it to Chartres Cathedral in 876.
"The presence of the Holy Cloak began the cult of the Virgin at that site, although Chartres was reportedly originally a site dedicated to a pregnant pagan virgin. The Veil of the Virgin is associated with many medieval miracles at Chartres. Through the sancta camisia, Mary is said to have spared Chartres from the invasion of Rollo army. The miracles affected by the holy tunic are often associated with protection of her believers.
