Today, we celebrate the life of Saint Veronica Giuliani, a woman who exemplified the desire to be like Christ crucified. She was born on December 27th, 1660 in Mercatello, a small village in Central Italy (Marche), into a middle class family. She was the last of seven children. It is said that when her mother Benedetta was dying she called her five daughters to her bedside and entrusted each of them to one of the five major wounds of Jesus’ crucifixion. Veronica was entrusted by her mother to the wound below Christ's heart, a sign of the deep love and devotion she would have for our Lord’s passion throughout her life.
As she grew up, Veronica's desire to serve God led her to join the Poor Clares, which is the second of three Orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi, with Saint Clare of Assisi being the pioneer contemplative for this female branch of the Order’s charism.
Despite her father's initial objections, Veronica convinced him to let her become a nun, and she spent many years serving in various roles within the monastery.
At the age of 34, Veronica received the stigmata, a physical manifestation of her deep devotion to Christ. This experience marked a significant turning point in her life, as she was no longer able to perform some of her duties and was even temporarily removed from her position as novice mistress.
But Veronica did not let this adversity break her spirit. She remained faithful and devoted to God, offering her sufferings
for the missions and praying for the conversion of sinners. Through her patience and perseverance, she was eventually restored to her position as novice mistress and later elected as abbess, a role she held for 11 years until her death in 1727. She was canonized not too long after, in 1839. Imagine having a stigmatic saint as your religious superior! What a glimpse into heavenly love and integrity!
Today's readings offer us a reminder of the importance of seeking integrity and reaping a harvest of kindness. We often take kindness for granted, but it is such a gift to us in that it helps balance out the cruelties and injustices we might simultaneously have to undergo for the sake of the Kingdom. The prophet Hosea reminds us that when we are divided in our hearts, we must pay the price for our disobedience. But when we seek to cultivate integrity, we can expect a bountiful harvest of kindness.
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus sends out his twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven is near. He instructs them to go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, not to the pagan territories or Samaritan towns. This mission is a reminder that our faith is meant to be shared with those who are searching for truth and salvation but that charity and holiness, even as we saw in the household of Saint Veronica Giuliani, begins at home. What we are taught by our parents plays such a major role in shaping our decision making later on in life, so Saint Veronica’s story is also a lesson to parents to be good examples to their children.
As we further reflect on Saint Veronica's life, we are reminded that following Jesus is not always easy. There will be challenges and trials along the way. But with faithfulness and perseverance, we can trust that God will guide us and provide us with the strength we need to continue on our journey.
May Saint Veronica's example inspire us to seek integrity and kindness in our own lives. May we also remember that our faith is meant to be shared with others, just as Jesus instructed his apostles to go out into the world and proclaim the kingdom of heaven is near. Through his spirit working in us, if we open ourselves to his grace in prayer, he will make of us instruments through which the Kingdom draws near to others.
As Saint Veronica now enjoys bliss with our Heavenly Mother and all the angels and saints, she prays for us and remains a shining model and example, as we make our own pilgrimage towards an eternity with God, knowing that whatever we offer to God, however little we think it may be, he uses towards our sanctification and the building up of his kingdom on earth, the Church. Our Lady, Queen of All Saints, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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