On Sunday, April 6, the fifth Sunday of Lent, St. Peter’s Basilica will display the revered Veronica’s Veil,” a cloth that, according to tradition, was used to wipe the face of Jesus on his way to Calvary. This ancient relic will be showcased in an extraordinary liturgy, renewing a long-standing tradition of the Catholic Church. At 6 p.m. local time, while the litanies are being intoned, the faithful will walk through the naves of the basilica, entering through the Holy Door.
From the Veronica loggia, the relic, also known as the Holy Face, will be displayed, allowing the faithful to venerate the relic. Afterward, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, is scheduled to celebrate a Mass with the canons participating. This event is a significant moment for the Catholic Church, as it provides an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on the significance of the relic and its connection to the life of Jesus Christ.
The Veronica’s Veil is a cloth that, according to tradition, bears the true image of Christ’s face. The woman who wiped Jesus’ face is commonly known as Veronica, derived from the Latin “vera icona,” meaning “true icon.” It is believed that Christ’s image was imprinted on the veil on his way to the cross. The cloth itself is also named Veronica and occupies a place of great importance within St. Peter’s Basilica, alongside other relics such as a piece of the cross and the lance of St. Longinus.
The history of Veronica’s Veil is deeply rooted in tradition, although the account of Veronica does not appear in the Gospels. She was later associated with the woman with a hemorrhage who was cured by Jesus. The apocryphal book of the Acts of Pilate (sixth century) also speaks of a woman, known as Veronica, who wiped Christ’s face with a veil as he made his way to Calvary. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the origins of the relic, its significance in the Catholic Church is undeniable, and its display on April 6 is a testament to its enduring importance.