Veronica’s Veil

Basic Info

The legend tells of Veronica, who was standing along the path while Jesus made his way with the cross up to Calvary. Veronica’s heart went out to him, and she rushed forth to wipe his sweaty, bleeding face with her veil. An image of Jesus’ face remained on her veil. This has been a popular story in Catholic Tradition. By 1199 there was a veil with an image, commonly referred to as the Veronica, at the Vatican. Today the Vatican Veronica is on display in Saint Peter’s Basilica. 

Although this event is not mentioned in the Bible, it is one of the stations in the traditional Catholic Way of the Cross, a devotional practice that gained popularity in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Artists have made replicas of the veil itself and have depicted the story of the legend.

Historical Notes

The legend may have circulated earlier in the Middle Ages, but it was certainly known by the late 1100s. There is no mention of it in canonical or non-canonical early Christian writings. No scientific examinations of the Veronica in Saint Peter’s Basilica have been performed in about a century.

The name Veronica is probably a combination of the Latin word for true, vera, and the Greek word for image, ikon; thus, the name actually means “true image.”

What to Look For

• Whether the artwork is a replica of the veil or a depiction of the events of the legend
• The physical details of the face on the cloth
• The expression on the face on the cloth
• The interaction between Jesus and Veronica
• The characteristics of Veronica (face, gestures, posture, relationship with Jesus, etc.)
• Whether the image on the veil looks like Jesus portraits from the artist’s day
• Whether the image on the veil looks like something that could have been left by Jesus as he wiped his face on the veil or like something created in paint and gold leaf

Questions to Focus a General Interpretation

Does the artwork focus more on the authenticity of the image on the veil or on the devotion of Veronica to Jesus Christ?

Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation

Does the image remind you of the suffering of Christ as it may be present in today’s world? Are you called to imitate Veronica’s reaching out to soothe any of the least of Jesus’ brothers or sisters today?

Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation



The story of Veronica’s veil is interwoven with devotion and pilgrimage to the Via Dolorosa, or Way of the Cross. How might this have been significant in the artist’s time and place?

What matters more about this story today—that an authentic miraculous image exists or that a woman saw the suffering of Jesus and reached out to help him?