Crusade Magazine, Vol. 184, July/August, 2023 - Bruised for Our Sins: The Holy Face Devotion and the Call to be Modern-Day Veronicas
As Our Lord made His way up Calvary, a touching scene occurred with an unknown woman. She was powerless to stop the injustice but simply offered her veil as a sign of compassion. Our Lord gratefully accepted it to wipe His bruised and bloody face. The face of the Savior was miraculously stamped on her veil and she came to be known simply as Veronica from vera icon or true image. Her gesture inspired veneration for the Holy Face of Our Redeemer, which continued throughout the history of the Church.
Devotion to the Holy Face flourished during the turbulent nineteenth century with the efforts of Leo Dupont. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux increased it yet more by adding this devotion to her religious name. It is more than fitting that we recall this important devotion in this 150th year anniversary of the birth of the “Little Flower.”
Leo Dupont was born into an aristocratic French fa…
