Veil of Veronica

 

Veronica's Veil at Saint Peter's Basilica on Passion Sunday

About the Veil of Veronica

The Veil of Veronica, also called the Sudarium or simply the Veronica, is a sacred cloth some believe bears the miraculous image of Jesus Christ’s face, our Savior. Tradition says Saint Veronica, moved by compassion, wiped His blood and sweat as He carried His cross to Golgotha, and His face was imprinted on her veil. Though not in the Bible’s Gospels, this story links to the sixth Station of the Cross, where Veronica’s act is honored in many churches. Known as an acheiropoieton—“made without hands”—it’s a holy relic tied to Jesus’ Passion, cherished for its promise of healing and closeness to Him. Kept in places like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, it draws the faithful to reflect on His love.

Its Appearance

The Veil of Veronica in St. Peter’s Basilica is a small, faded cloth, about 6.5 by 9.5 inches (17 x 24 cm), framed behind glass in a chapel. Its image is faint—some see long hair, a beard, and open eyes, though time has blurred it, leaving only rust-brown stains to some viewers. The Manoppello Veil, another candidate, is a sheer, transparent fabric of similar size, showing a clearer face with blood marks and open eyes, visible from both sides, a marvel some call divine. Made of linen or sea silk (byssus), these cloths are fragile, their worn texture a testament to Jesus’ suffering, holding His holy image in quiet beauty.

Its Journey

The Veil’s story begins around 33 AD on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, where Veronica wiped Jesus’ face. Some say she took it to Rome, curing Emperor Tiberius with it, leaving it with Pope Clement. By 705, a chapel in Old St. Peter’s Basilica hints at its presence. In 1207, Pope Innocent III paraded it, and in 1300, it starred in the first Jubilee, inspiring Dante’s “Paradiso” (Canto XXXI). Kept in St. Peter’s, it vanished in 1527 during the Sack of Rome—some say stolen, others lost. In 1608, it reappeared in records, but Pope Urban VIII hid it in 1629, banning copies. Meanwhile, the Manoppello Veil surfaced in 1506, gifted to a doctor, reaching the Capuchins by 1660. Today, St. Peter’s shows its relic yearly on Passion Sunday, while Manoppello’s is venerated openly.

Its Meaning

This cloth, whether in Rome or Manoppello, has been treasured for centuries as a sign of Jesus’ great love—His face captured in a moment of pain, showing mercy to a kind woman. It reminds us of His sacrifice, turning Veronica’s pity into a gift for all. Called “true image” (vera icona), it’s shaped Christian art, from medieval badges to the Stations of the Cross, offering peace and hope. Though its history is unclear, it stirs faith, a holy link to Jesus’ Passion. Displayed briefly or studied quietly, it lifts our hearts to His enduring grace, a treasure of compassion and redemption.

Timeline of the Veil of Veronica

• Around 33 AD: Veronica wipes Jesus’ face on the Via Dolorosa.
• 1st Century: Taken to Rome, heals Tiberius (legend).
• 705: Chapel built in Old St. Peter’s Basilica for it.
• 1207: Pope Innocent III parades it in Rome.
• 1300: Displayed during first Jubilee; Dante sees it.
• 1527: Lost during Sack of Rome.
• 1608: Reappears in St. Peter’s records.
• 1629: Pope Urban VIII hides it, bans copies.
• 1506: Manoppello Veil gifted to Giacomo Leonelli.
• 1660: Manoppello Veil reaches Capuchin monastery.
• 1907: Joseph Wilpert inspects St. Peter’s Veil.
• 1999: Heinrich Pfeiffer claims Manoppello’s as true Veil.
• 2006: Pope Benedict XVI visits Manoppello Veil.
• Present Day: St. Peter’s Veil shown on Passion Sunday.

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