St. Veronica has been given a special place in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Though it is not recorded in the Gospels, her beautiful act of love is featured in the Sixth Station of the Cross, called “Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.” Christ, beaten and scourged, struggles to carry the cross up to Calvary. His face is covered with blood, sweat, and dirt. Veronica in her compassion pushes her way through the crowd and past the Roman guards and gently wipes Jesus’ face clean with her veil. It is a moment of tender mercy as he is in agony. As he moves on and Veronica remains behind, she finds that a miraculous image of Jesus’ face has been perfectly imprinted in blood on her cloth. This heavenly gift is known as Veronica’s Veil and has been venerated as a holy relic for centuries. Different traditions tell that it is probable that Veronica was the same woman in the gospels that was healed from her bleeding affliction after 12 years when she touched Jesus’ garment. She boldly pushes through the crowd to Jesus in both events, and though it would have been considered unclean, she is not afraid of Jesus’ blood since he had compassionately healed her bleeding.
Luke 23:27–31 The women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus. Though Veronica is not explicitly mentioned, tradition ties her into this moment during the Way of the Cross.
Patron of:
Photographers, Laundry Workers, Images
Feast Day:
July 12
Illustration by: Colton Rompala