St. Veronica’s Mystical, Obedient and Sacrificial Life – Jul 10 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 10, 2024, on how St. Veronica Giuliani lived a life of profound faith, mystical experiences, and sacrificial love, embodying Christ's sufferings and ultimate obedience.

St. Veronica Giuliani, born on December 27, 1660, in Mercatello, Italy, lived a life of profound faith and sacrifice. Her birthdate coincides with the Feast of St. John, who wrote, "By this we know love, that he, Christ, laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers" (1 John 3:16). Baptized Ursula on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, she was named after St. Ursula, a virgin martyr. Veronica desired to imitate Christ's sacrificial love, aspiring to live a life of mystical suffering rather than physical martyrdom.

Veronica, the youngest of seven children, was greatly loved. She experienced visions of Jesus from a young age and was deeply influenced by stories of saints. Just before her mother's death, she was entrusted to the wound in Jesus' side, which symbolized her future mystical marriage to Christ. Veronica's devotion led her to join the Capuchin nuns, despite her family's wealth and comforts.

At 16, Veronica entered a monastery in Città di Castello, where she was tested by the bishop and miraculously read Latin. She was given the name Veronica, meaning "true image," symbolizing her likeness to Christ. Despite initial struggles, she embraced the monastic life, guided by her superiors and divine voices. At 27, she became the novice mistress, and at 32, she was ordered to keep a diary, documenting her mystical experiences.

Her diary recorded her mystical marriage to Christ in 1694 and receiving the stigmata in 1697. She endured physical and spiritual sufferings, often facing demonic attacks. Despite skepticism and investigations by the Holy Office, she remained steadfast. Her sufferings intensified, moving from physical to profound interior pain.

In 1716, she became the abbess, guided by Our Lady, and continued her holy leadership until her death. Veronica's stigmata bled for the last time on September 17, 1726. She endured a 33-day agony before her death on June 6, 1727. Her last words were, "I have found love. Love has let himself be seen." She entered eternal glory with permission from her superior, embodying the ultimate obedience and love for Christ.

00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Birth and Baptism
01:37 - Early Religious Experiences
02:15 - Entering the Monastery
03:04 - Becoming Sister Veronica
04:25 - Mystical Diary
05:50 - Demonic Oppositions
07:02 - Receiving the Stigmata
08:02 - Holy Office Investigation
09:02 - Final Years and Death

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Veronica Giuliani - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1954
Readings: Wednesday 14th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/071024.cfm
1st: hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Resp: psa 105:2-7
Gsp: mat 10:1-7

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=673&r=1645

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