Your Faith Journey with EWTN
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
First century
Patron Saint of photographers, laundry workers, washerwomen, bleeding, hemorrhaging
St. Veronica is a beloved figure in Christian tradition. She is remembered for her act of compassion toward Jesus on His way to Calvary. Although her story is not recorded in the Gospels, it has been preserved through longstanding devotion and forms part of the Stations of the Cross.
When Jesus carried His Cross in a weakened and suffering state, blood streamed down His face, and Veronica stepped out from the crowd to offer Him comfort. With courage and tenderness, she gave Him a cloth to wipe His face. In return, according to tradition, the image of Christ’s face was miraculously imprinted upon the cloth, which came to be known as the Veil of Veronica.
Some believe the name Veronica does not refer to a person, but rather to the Latin phrase vera icon, meaning “true image,” reflecting the miraculous imprint of Christ’s face. Over time, devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus grew, and the story of Veronica became a powerful symbol of loving compassion amid pain and suffering.
Although the historical details of her life remain uncertain, St. Veronica’s witness has endured for centuries of Christian devotion. She is honored in the Sixth Station of the Cross, where her gesture reminds us of the call to serve Christ in those who suffer through small acts of love that can have eternal significance.
The Veil of Veronica is the cloth believed to bear the miraculous image of Christ’s face, imprinted when He wiped His face on the journey to Calvary. Over the centuries, several relics have been associated with this tradition. One of the most well-known is kept at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where it has been venerated by the faithful. While the relic’s historical authenticity has been debated, its spiritual significance remains strong as a symbol of devotion to the suffering face of Christ.
Veronica’s story comes from Christian tradition rather than Holy Scripture. Her account developed over time through oral tradition, devotional practices, and later writings that sought to reflect more deeply on Christ’s Passion. The Stations of the Cross, which include her encounter with Jesus, became a devotional form of prayer in the Church, especially during the Middle Ages. Although not recorded in Scripture, her story has been embraced for its spiritual meaning and message of compassion.
While we have no information about St. Veronica’s life, she is sometimes identified with the unnamed woman healed of a hemorrhage (see Matthew 9:20-22). The Gospels describe the hemorrhaging woman touching Jesus’ garment, but her name is not mentioned. Some non-scriptural early writings name her Berenike or Veronica and link her to the story of the veil. Both stories represent a personal, intimate encounter with Jesus—one seeking physical healing, the other offering compassionate care during the Passion. Some believe her act of love was in gratitude for having been healed of her hemorrhage. The story of Veronica’s Veil has a long Catholic tradition and is particularly associated with the Sixth Station of the Cross.
Jesus revealed Twelve Promises for those who honor His Sacred Heart. Learn what these promises mean for you as you grow in your faith and devotion to Our Lord. Get the free eBook The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus using the form below.
Join Fr. Chris as he connects the Holy Face Devotion to St. Veronica and the Holy Face of Jesus in a deep dive into its depiction on the Shroud of Turin.
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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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