St Veronica Giuliani
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Veronica Giuliani, who was able to receive the stigmata during her life.
St. Veronica was born on December 27, 1660 in Mercatelli, Italy. It is believed that when St. Veronica’s mother (Benedetta) was dying she decided to call her five daughters to her bedside and she had entrusted each of her daughter to one of the five wounds of Jesus. St. Veronica was entrusted to the wound below Christ’s heart.
When St. Veronica was 17, St. Veronica made the decision to join the Poor Clares who were directed by the Capuchins. St. Veronica’s father wanted her to get married, but she was able to convince him to allow her to become a nun. Within her first years in the monastery, she was able to work in the kitchen, infirmary, sacristy, and also she was able to serve as portress. Around the age of 34, St. Veronica was made novice mistress, a position that she had held for 22 years. When she was around the age of 37, Veronica received the stigmata. Life was not the same after that.
After she had received the stigmata many authorities in Rome wanted to test St. Veronica’s authenticity and so they had conducted an investigation. St. Veronica during this time had lost the office of novice mistress temporarily and she was not allowed to attend Mass except on Sundays or holy days. Through all of this trouble St. Veronica did not become bitter, and the investigation eventually restored her as novice mistress.
Eventually St. Veronica was elected abbess around the age of 56 and she had protested against it because she was very humble. St. Veronica was able to be in this position for 11 years until her death. St. Veronica was very devoted to the Eucharist and to the Sacred Heart. St. Veronica had offered her sufferings for the missions. St. Veronica passed away on July 9, 1727, and St. Veronica was canonized during the year 1839. St. Veronica’s Feast Day is celebrated on July 9.
Prayer to St. Veronica
St. Veronica intercede that we may be able to strengthen our devotion and thirst for the Eucharist. Help us to want to receive the Eucharist daily and help us to spread the joy, the love and the mercy that we receive from when we receive the Eucharist with others.
Amen
St. Veronica pray for us
St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works cited:
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan media. “Saint Veronica Giuliani. ”Saint Veronica Giuliani | Franciscan Media. Accessed July 10, 2021.
Images:
Saint Veronica Giuliani. July 10, 2021. Saint Veronica Giuliani - Google Search.