A devotion is born
St Veronica is famous among Catholics because she is known as the pious woman of Jerusalem who offered a cloth to Christ so that he could wipe his face as he carried his Cross.
Veronica is not mentioned in any of the biblical accounts of the Crucifixion but is remembered by Catholics around the world at the Sixth Station of the Cross: “Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus”.
According to tradition, the veil is kept at the Vatican. It was recorded that it was in the possession of Pope John VII in the early 8th century. In the Middle Ages, the veil became particularly popular and indulgences were granted for people who performed devotions before it.
After the Sack of Rome in 1527, the veil’s fate is unclear and it may have been destroyed. As so many versions were produced, it is unclear if the Vatican possesses the original veil.
In 1616, Pope Paul V prohibited the creation of any more copies. In 1629, Pope Urban VII went as far as ordering the destruction of all reproductions of the veil. Anyone who disobeyed would be excommunicated.
Patron of photographers
There are now at least six known copies of Veronica’s veil in the world. There is one kept at St Peter’s Basilica which may be the original. This veil is displayed on the Fifth Sunday of Lent each year and St Veronica is honoured annually on her feast day.
Images of Veronica usually show a woman holding a cloth on which Christ’s face is imprinted. She is the patron saint of photographers and laundry workers.
