Veronica

***Saint Veronica***, also known as ***Berenike***, was a widow from Jerusalem who lived in the 1st century AD, according to extra-biblical Christian sacred tradition.

## History

One of the most enduring-and inspiring-stories of a saint is that of Veronica. Little is known about her life, but she lived as the same time as Jesus and was present during his trials on Good Friday.

While Jesus carried the cross, he was shouted at and spit upon by a furious, almost uncontrollable crowd; his face was covered in sweat, blood and mud, and he was having difficulty remaining on his feet. Watching Jesus fall was so painful for Veronica that she stepped out of the angry throng, despite the risk to her own life. With true compassion, she knelt in the front of Jesus and used her veil to gently wipe his face clean.

This simple act of kindness still resonates all over the world. In fact, the event is commemorated on the sixth station of the cross (a series of images depicting scenes in Christ's Passion)

Although Veronica and her veil are not referenced in the Bible, she is closely identified as the woman, with the issue of blood, who was healed by touching the hem of Jesus's garment:

> "*Just then **a woman** who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.' Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' he said, 'your faith has healed you.' And the woman was healed at that moment.*" -- ***Matthew 9:20-22***
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> "*And **a woman*** *was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?' 'You see the people crowding against you,' his disciples answered, 'and yet you can ask, "Who touched me?”' But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.*" -- ***Mark 5:25-34***
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> "*And **a woman** was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?' 'You see the people crowding against you,' his disciples answered, 'and yet you can ask, "Who touched me?"' But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering***.**” -- ***Luke 8:43-48***
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### The Image of Christ

After the soldiers pushed her away, Veronica went home and discovered that Christ's face was imprinted on her veil. It is believed Veronica later traveled to Rome, leaving the veil in the care of Pope Clement I and his successors. Her name and legend is said to have come from the words *vera icon* (true image), which is what the veil was called.

## Legends

Throughout history, Veronica herself as well as her veil have been part of various legends:

According to a popular Italian legend, the veil was used to sure the Roman emperor Tiberius of an illness.

French legend holds that Veronica came to the region of Bordeaux, shortly after the Ascension of Christ, and preached there for many years.

In all its many forms, Veronica's story is a lesson about selfless compassion and inspires us to show love for each other.

## Prayer

"*Jesus, may the contemplation of Your sufferings move me with the greatest compassion, make me hate my sins, and kindle in my heart a more fervent love for You. Imprint Your image in my mind so that I may never forget what my sins have done to You. Guide me, that I may one day be transformed into Your likeness. My beloved Jesus, grant that I may never cease to love You, and do with me as You will*."