SAINTS FOR ALL SEASONS
SAINT VERONICA

By Brother Patrick

In the Sixth Station of the Way of the Cross, Veronica moves through an angry crowd, approaches the Poor Christ, and wipes his bloodied face with her veil. Upon this cloth then appears the first and truest icon of the face of Jesus. Indeed, the name Veronica comes from the Latin word for true (vera) and the Greek word for icon (eikon). Veronica literally means true icon.

Two thousand years after the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are still confronted with the question of truth. Truth is something that exists in accordance with fact and reality. Truth is correct, genuine, and verifiable. Truth is sensible, measurable, and observable. Truth is constant, steadfast, and conformable to standards. A true friend. The true and rightful owner of a parcel of land. The true winner of a free and fair election. Some things are literally true: It is raining. Some things are not literally true, but contain an element of truth: It is raining cats and dogs.

Saint Thomas Aquinas writes: “Every existing thing is true, in that it is the expression of an idea which exists in the mind of God (Summa 1:16:1).” Pope Benedict XVI says: “Truth draws strength from itself and not from the number of votes in its favor (3-18-06).” And Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), the great abolitionist and civil rights activist, says simply and profoundly: “The truth is all powerful and will prevail.” Sometimes what is true is what we believe in our hearts. In this spirit, it is in our hearts that we find the truth about Saint Veronica. It is in our hearts that the truth of Saint Veronica lives and breathes and inspires. It is a truth that prevails.

Veronica does not appear in the canonical gospels. It is not until the fourth or fifth century that an apocryphal book introduces us to a woman called Veronica. In this name, we find both truth and miracle.

Consider the scene. Jesus of Nazareth is arrested and condemned to death. He is beaten and tortured. He is mocked, ridiculed, and spat upon. He is forced to carry a heavy cross through the streets of Jerusalem. It is to be the instrument of his execution. Jesus then sees his Blessed Mother in the crowd. For a brief moment, he is consoled. Jesus sees in Mary’s face the boundless love and compassion of the one who gives him life, raises him, supports his ministry with perfect devotion, and stands with him until the bitter end.

Jesus is then approached by Simon of Cyrene, who helps him carry the cross. But is Simon compelled by pity or charity? Or is Simon simply forced by the authorities to help a criminal reach the hill upon which he will be crucified? The Gospels do not reveal this truth.

Jesus is then approached by Veronica. Moved by love, moved by compassion, moved by the sight of another’s suffering, Veronica risks her own safety and reputation. She pushes through the mob. She proceeds toward the Poor Christ. She removes her veil. With this veil, she wipes his face, a small but powerful act of kindness. To prove this moment of compassion, the face of the Poor Christ, the true icon of salvation, appears miraculously on the veil.

In his book Wanted: Friends & Footwashers, Cardinal Sean O’Malley writes: “Veronica overcomes all human expectations and regard for her personal safety or her reputation. She forces her way through the crowd that is always pushing us away from Christ. She only wants to provide the slightest service to comfort Christ, to be present to him, and to wipe his bloodied face. It is courage, generosity that puts the needs of others first. This legendary woman represents all those disciples who boldly overcome the fear of the cross in order to be a sign of God’s mercy to those who are suffering and those who seem to be beyond help (87).”

Saint Veronica forever teaches us that love, courage, kindness, mercy, empathy, and compassion are core principles of discipleship. She teaches us that we are called not to count the cost of doing good, but to do good no matter the cost. She teaches us that we, who call ourselves believers, are beckoned to give witness to one of the great truths of all time: “Truly, I tell you, just as you did to one of the least of these, who are members of my family, you did to me (Matthew 25:40).” Please God, may this truth prevail upon our sad and suffering world!

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Saint Veronica, pray for us!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

Art Credit: Zatletic – 262509380 – Dreamstime

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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