ARTIST: Brenda Nippert
ARTWORK NARRATIVE:
Saint Veronica's story is not recorded in the Bible, but it has been passed along since the beginning of Christianity. It is even one of the Stations of the Cross. The story is of a young woman who stood at the edge of the path as Jesus carried His cross. She was overcome with pity when she saw Jesus suffering, struggling to carry the heavy weight with His tortured and broken body. When she saw Him, dripping with sweat and blood, she couldn't help herself – she ran out into the path and offered Him the veil from her own head to wipe His face. Such a simple thing, yet so profound.
It is through small acts of kindness like this that we go past being human and become holy. Jesus wiped His face and left a miraculous imprint on the cloth. We don't even know her real name, but her small act will never be forgotten. Veronica means “true image” and capturing this image of Jesus is what makes her the patron saint of photographers.
Her feast day is July 12.