Salve sancta facies (Veronica)

Oratio ad sanctam Veronicam

The prayer to St.Veronica, venerating the holy face of Christ, was very popular in 15th century books of hours. It is often illustrated by either a historiated initial with the face of Christ, or a miniature with St. Veronica holding her veil showing the impression of the "Vera Icon", - the true face of Christ. Cf. the miniature by Willem Vrelant, pasted into Ms. GkS 1612.

See also the transcript from Ms. GkS 1612 fol.5 in the CHD Guide Salve sancta facies with corresponding miniature.

Salve sancta facies
Nostri redemptoris,
In qua nitet species
Divini splendoris.
Impressa panniculo
Nivea candoris,
Dataque Veronice
Signum ob amoris.
Salve, decus seculi,
Speculum sanctorum,
Quod videre cupiunt
Spiritus celorum.
Nos ab omni macula
Purga vitiorum,
Atque nos consortio
Iunge beatorum.
Salve nostra gratia
In hac vita dura,
Labili ac fragili
Cito transitura.
Nos provehat superis
Felix hec figura,
Ad videndum faciem
Que est Christi pura.
Esto nobis quesumus
Verum adiuvandum,
Dulce refrigerium
Atque consolamen.
Sic fruamur requie,
Omnes dicant. Amen.

Followed by
Versicle: Adoramus te christe et benedicamus tibi.
Responsory: Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

Then follows the concluding prayer:
Ora. Deus qui nobis famulis tuis lumine vultus tui signatis ad instanciam Veronice imaginem sudario impressam relinquere voluisti, per passionem et crucem tuam tribue, quesumus, ut ita nunc in terris per speculum in enigmate venerari et adorare te ipsum valeamus ut tunc facie ad faciem super nos iudicem securi videamus te christum dominum nostrum. Amen.

(Paris BN ms.lat. 1363 fol.109. After V. Leroquais: Les Livres d'Heures manuscrits, II, 349-350).

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