Saint Veronica

The woman of Jerusalem who is said to have been so moved by the suffering of Jesus as He carried His cross to Calvary that she rushed to wipe His face was actually named Bernice. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the 'Veronica' is a colloquial of the Latin word 'Vera' meaning 'truth' and Greek word 'Icon' meaning 'image. The name 'Veronica' --which most refer to as 'Saint Veronica'--actually pertains to the 'Veil of Veronica'. It is the veil which Bernice is said to have removed from her person and used to wipe the face of the suffering Jesus.

Although the Legend of St. Veronica is one of the most popular in Christian lore and the veil is one of the most beloved relics of the Catholic Church there is no record when or where St. Veronica was born.

According to Tradition, when St. Veronica (Bernice) saw Jesus fall beneath the weight of the cross He carried to his pending crucifixion, she was so moved with pity she pushed through the crowd past the Roman Soldiers to reach Jesus. She used her veil to wipe the blood and sweat from His face. The soldiers forced her away from Jesus even as He peered at her with gratitude. She bundled her veil and did not look at it again until she returned home. When she finally unfolded the veil--history does not clarify exactly what kind of material the veil was made from--it was imprinted with an image of Christ's face.

The symbol of Saint Veronica is the veil bearing the face of Christ and the Crown of Thorns. Her feast day is July 12th.