St. Peter's Basilica will exhibit the Veronica's Veil on April 6, the fifth Sunday of Lent. This display is a rare event, as the relic is not often shown to the public. The Veil, also known as the Holy Face, is believed to bear the true image of Jesus Christ. The exhibition will include an extraordinary liturgy at 6 p.m. local time. The relic is referenced in the sixth station of the Way of the Cross, where Veronica wipes Jesus’ face.
2 months ago
St. Peter’s Basilica will display the "Veronica’s Veil" on April 6, 2025, renewing an ancient Catholic tradition 1. The event, scheduled for the fifth Sunday of Lent, will commence at 6 p.m. local time 1. The liturgy includes a procession through the Holy Door and the display of the relic from the Veronica loggia 1. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, will celebrate Mass with participating canons following the display 1.
The Veronica's Veil is believed to be the cloth used by St. Veronica to wipe Jesus' face as he carried the cross to Calvary 1. Tradition holds that the cloth bears the true image of Christ’s face 1. The name Veronica is derived from the Latin "vera icona," meaning "true icon" 1. The relic is referenced in the sixth station of the Way of the Cross 1.
The Veil of Veronica is normally kept in a chapel behind a balcony above a statue of St. Veronica by Francesco Mochi 1. This chapel is situated within one of the piers supporting the dome of St. Peter's Basilica 1. The veil, along with relics of the cross and the lance of St. Longinus, holds a place of great importance within the basilica 1.
The Church clarifies the role of relics in faith.
Relics have always held a place of particular veneration and attention in the Church . The term "relics of the Saints" principally refers to the bodies, or notable parts of the bodies, of Saints who lived on earth as temples of the Holy Spirit . Objects that belonged to the Saints, such as personal items, clothing, and manuscripts, are also considered relics, as are objects that have touched their bodies or tombs, like oils, cloths, and images .
The Second Vatican Council affirms the tradition of honoring Saints and venerating their authentic relics and images . The Church permits a veneration to relics similar to that given to images; they are not venerated for their own sake but for the sake of the persons they represent . The Council of Trent teaches that God bestows many benefits on mankind through the holy bodies of martyrs and others living with Christ, and thus they are to be venerated by the faithful . Veneration of relics is not a new practice; it can be traced back to the earliest ages of Christianity .
It is important to approach relics with a religious spirit, avoiding every type of superstition and illicit trade . The Church emphasizes that relics should be honored with due ecclesiastical sanctions and reasonable probability of authenticity . The veneration given is not that of latria (divine worship) but dulia relativae, a veneration directed toward the saints the relics commemorate .
The exhibition of Veronica’s Veil at St. Peter’s Basilica is in line with the Church's tradition of venerating relics . The Veil, believed to have been used by St. Veronica to wipe Jesus’ face, is considered a relic because of its direct connection to Christ . Displaying the relic allows the faithful to honor the memory of Christ's Passion and St. Veronica's act of compassion . The event underscores the importance of relics in the Catholic faith as tangible links to the lives of holy individuals and events .
Relics in the Catholic Church are venerated as tangible connections to saints and Christ, serving as reminders of their holy lives and sacrifices. The exhibition of Veronica's Veil exemplifies this tradition, inviting the faithful to reflect on Christ's Passion. It is crucial to approach relics with faith and reverence, avoiding superstition and maintaining a focus on the spiritual significance they hold.