The Veil of Veronica

The Veil of Veronica

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

          As all of us know from our Stations of the Cross attendance, the Sixth Station of the Cross is entitled “Veronica wipes the face of Jesus”. Who was Veronica? She was a woman who followed Jesus and took care of some of his personal needs. The name, Veronica, comes from one Latin phrase which is “Vera icona”. The meaning of the phrase is “true icon”. The woman who showed sympathy for the suffering of Jesus gave Jesus a cloth to wipe his face. Jesus returned the cloth with a picture not made with any human tools. The cloth showed a portrait of the face of Jesus.

          The cloth is considered to be a holy relic of Christ's crucifixion as is the wood of the true cross along with the nails used to fasten Jesus to the cross. Another relic of Christ's crucifixion is the Shroud of Turin which is considered to be the burial cloth of Jesus. The veil is located in a special chapel at Saint Peter's Basilica and is viewed by the public towards the end of Lent.

          There is another veil located in Manopello, Italy which some consider the true veil. The image of this veil actually matches the face on the Shroud of Turin. Which veil is the true veil is as usual up for discussion? The important matter is that a compassionate woman wiped the face of Jesus, and Jesus left his image on the veil miraculously. Veronica is venerated as the patron saint of photographers. We pray to Saint Veronica for the ability to see the face of God in everyone we meet, and to be compassionate to all who are suffering on our journey back to God in this life and in the life to come.

          Until next time, Deo Gratias. Laus Tibi Christe. Laus Deo. Gloria Tibi Domini. See you in paradise.