By Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – Malawi)
INTRODUCTION
“Fr. Petros, where in the Bible is Veronica mentioned? In our Stations of the Cross (No. 6) it says that Veronica wiped the face of Jesus.” – Ikeh Victor (NIGERIA).
RESPONSE
Dear Ikeh Victor, the Veronica story is not Biblical. Luke 23:27-31 tells us that certain women lamented as Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha, although at this stage there was no suggestion of anyone wiping his face.
Remember to subscribe to my blog https://catholicdoctrines.law.blog/ and like my Facebook page to get latest Catholic Doctrines click here
https://m.facebook.com/CatholicDoctrinesWithRevFrPetrosMwale/
Join us on Telegram and Interact and share your faith with more than 150,000 Catholics https://t.me/joinchat/IsvVPewPFmdIxm04
VERONICA’S CHARACTER
An early medieval story says that Veronica was from Jerusalem and was one of the pious women who encountered Jesus Christ on the Via Dolorosa to Mount Calvary. she offered a cloth to wipe the face of Jesus, which then resulted in a portrait of His face on the cloth (now kept as a relic in Saint Peter’s basilica in Rome).
VALIDATION OF THE VERONICA STORY
It may or may not be genuine. The fact that the story is not in the Sacred Scriptures does not necessarily mean it never happened. The assassination of Julius Caesar is not in the Sacred Scriptures either, but it certainly occurred. As John says, there are many things Jesus did that were not written (John 21:25).
CONCLUSION
What is written in Sacred Scriptures is recorded for the sake of our salvation and nourishment of our faith. The Veronica story is a lovely one and an aid to prayer for some. It may even have happened. But it is not necessarily essential to our Faith.
Receive my priestly blessings from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish (Mpherembe)
Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – MALAWI: Feedback WhatsApp only +265 884 150 185 )
SOURCES
Herbermann, Charles, ed. St.Veronica, Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company,1913.
Catholic Doctrines 