3m

@reteriam 311 m of the g enius .

S E COND S ERI E S .

1 IT
. is p ro p o s e d t o p ublish a S e con d S erie s of th e Live s
o f t h e M o d e rn S ai n t s tra n sl ate d from fore i g n l an gua ge s
, ,

a n d t o b ri n g o u t t w o o r mor e v olum e s i n th e y ea r .

2 Th e w orks tran sl at e d f rom w ill be i n most c a s e s th e

.

L ives d rawn u p f or o r f r om th e processes of c anonizat ion

o r b e at i c at i o n, a s b e in g mor e full m ore auth e ntic an d
, ,

m o re rep l et e with an e cdo t e thus e n abling th e rea d er t o

,

b e come b e tt e r a c qu ain t e d with th e S ai nt s disp osit ion an d

s pirit ; whi l e th e simp le m att e r o f fa c t s tyl e o f th e n arr a

- -

tive is from it s u n ob tr usiv e chara ct e r more a dapte d for

, ,

spiritu a l r e a di n g than t h e v i e ws an d genera li zat io n s a nd

, ,

ap ol o g e t ic e xt e n u at i on s o f more r e c en t biogra p h e rs .

3 Th e o bj e ct s are th os e stat e d at th e comm e n c e m e n t

.

o f th e F ir s t S e ri e s vi z : 1
,
. . To su pp ly E n g lish Catho lics
with a c abi n e t library o f i n t e re sti n g a s we ll as e difyi ng
-

re adin g e sp e ci ally fo r famili e s scho ols an d re li gi o us

, , ,

r efe ct ori e s whi ch w o u ld fo r m an y r e ason s b e p arti c u

,
~

l arl y a dap t e d f o r th e s e t im e s an d wo ul d with G o d s

, ,

bl e ssin g a c t as a c o u n t e r i n ue n c e t o th e n e c e ss arily
,

d e ad e n i n g an d c hil l in g e ff e c t s whi ch th e n e i ghb o ur

ho od of he re sy an d th e con s e qu e n t pre val e n c e o f
e arthl y
p rin c ip l e s an d l o w v i e ws o f gra c e m ay h av e o n
t h e t emp e r an d habit s o f mi n d e v e n o f t h e fai thful
;
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2 .To p re s e n t t o the r c o un trym e n a n umb e r of sam

o ur o

p l e s of th e fruit which th e syst e m d o ctri n e and moral , ,

d i scipli n e e stablish e d b y th e h oly an d bl e ss e d C ouncil o f

Tre n t hav e p roduc ed an d which will b e t o i n quirers re ally
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i n e arn e s t abou t th e ir soul s an ar g um en t more coge nt

,

t han any th at m ere co ntrov e rsy c an a ll e g e ; and 3 To .

s pre a d th e h o nour an d love o f th e e v e r bl e ss e d ! u e e n of -

S aint s by sh owin g h o w gre atly an int ens e d e votion t o

,

her a ide din fo rmi n g thos e pro di g i e s of h e roic virtu e with

w hich th e H o ly Ghos t ha s b e e n p l e as e d t o a dorn t h e
Church sin c e th e schism o f Luthe r m ore th an i n a lmost ,

a n y p revi ous ti m es ; whil e th e s am e mot iv e will p re ve n t

t h e S eri e s b e i n g co n n e d t o m o d ern s aint s excl u si ve ly .

4 Th e work is p ublish e d with t h e p ermissio n an d ap

.

p rov al of su p e ri o rs E v
.e r y v o lum e c o n tainin g t h e Lif e
o f a p erson n ot ye t c an o n i z e d o r b e at i e d b y th e Ch urc h

w ill b e p r efa c e d b y a pr o t e s t i n co nfo rmi ty with th e d e

cre e of Urban VIII an d i n a ll Live s which intr o duc e
.
,

qu e st ion s o f mys tic al th e olo g y gre at c ar e will b e tak e n t o

p ublis h n o thi n g wh ic h ha s n o t ha d a d e qu at e s an cti o n o r ,

wi tho ut th e r e ad e r b e ing i nform e d o f t h e n atu re a n d

amo unt o f t h e s an c t i o n .

P os t c e 5 3 e ach
wi th Por tr a i t, p r i . .

1 . Th e L i fe o f S B e rn ard i n e o f S i e n a
.
,

M I N O R O B S E RVAN T I NE Now r e ady . .

2 Th e L if e
. of s Phi li p B en izi ,
.

FI F T H GE NE R AL on TH E S ERVI T ES . No w re ady .

3 . Th e L i fe of S Ve ron i ca G i uli an i , C apu chin

.

Nun , an d o f t h e B l e ss e d Bat t i st a Varani ,

of
le Ord er of S Cl are
. . Now readg .
 l h e ai n ts s ub Su b mi t s f @5 0 13

o .

sec o wo S E RIES .

TH E LI V ES
'

OF

s VERONICA
. GIU LIANI ,

CAPU C H IN N U N

A ND O F T H E

'

BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI ,

OF TH E O RD ER OF S C LARE . .

G aude M ariaVirgo c u et, n as h ee re se s so l a in te re misti in

u ivers m u d
n o n o .
"

A n ti ph E c c l e si ce
. .

L O ND O N:
R WA SHB O U RNE
.
,
18 P A TERNO STER R O W .

1 874 .
 s he w .

T . F . ! N OX ,

li mpri matar .

H E NRI C U S E Wa tm on ast
'

. .
 TO

T H E NUNS O F ENGLAND ,

W H O SH IE LD TH EI R CO UNT RY B! TH EI R PRA! ERS,

AND B! TH EI R M EE ! AUS TE RITI ES MA! E

REP R A A TI O N :F OR I TS e s 3

AND TO
TH E S I STER S O F MER C Y,
W H OS E C H A R I TY Is TH EI R I NC L OS URE,
W HI L E F OR TH E L OV E OF TH EI R H EAVE N L Y SP O SE
U
IN H IS P OO R AND S UFFE RI N G ME MB ERS

THE Y DENY TH EM SELVE S :

PEA C E AND P R OTE C TI ON OF TH E CLOIS TER .

Daug ht ry ! i r tr t b u
e rs o f Ma n e ea s o sc re ,

L t t m th ught d y m id th tr
os o an s

o an e e, a e e es
t d ld d d
An d
gu n re
q b
u en k e e s, o n en e n ee s

S i gf
ue n E gl ord p d li n pu
an

s ar on , ve s so re

M i gl i h d G d ppr l h r
n e n ea v e n an o s a o va s a e

With th t u l i t d l wh W illi g f t
a n c o s e re ove , o se n ee

A b r
re th ugh j i g c w d d g i g tree t
o ne ro e er n ro an az n s

T fl
o sce n e s o l y w t d pi i g on e an an n n ca re .

F or
y t h h ly p t i
ou e w u fu l d
o as s no n r e ,

Th t with i t b right
a m pl y s m y f d e xa es ou a ee

Th pirit f d ti
e s oWhil th w rl d
e vo on . e e o

H u yu g d
on o rs with i t h tr d y
o r oo n e ss s a e ,
ou,

Still t y u hi gh
o od lm
r ti tru an ca v o ca on e,

M y wi fr h li ght
a n d t e gth fr m w h t y
es ad
an s r n o a ou re .

F W FA . . BE R .

S . W I L FR I D
S ,

F eas t of o ur L ad y o f Red emp tio n ,

 PRE F A C E .

TH E fo ll o w i n g L i fe of S . Ve r o n i c a G i u li an i w as

w r itte n b y th e A b at e Fili ppo M a r ia S al v a to r i ,

an d
b l i sh e d i n Ro m e i n th e a r 1 8 3 9 I t w as
p u y e .

c o m pile d fr o m t h r e e li v e s o f t h e S ai n t o f e a r li e r

d at e , an d fr o m t h e p r o c e ss e s of h er c a n o n iz a ti o n .

Th e t r a n s la ti o n of th e Spi r i tu al L i fe of th e

B l e ss e d B attis t a Va r a n i h as b ee n m a d e fr o m th e

F r e n ch v e rs i o n pu bli sh e d at C le r m o n t Fe rr a n d -

i n 1 840 . It i s fo u n d e d u po n th e c o l le c ti o n o f h e r
r e v elati o n s ,
i n Italia n by F ath e r M atth e w
w r itte n
Pasc u c c i an d r e n d e r e d i n t o L ati n b y t h e B o lla n d
,

i sts, in th e A cta S a n cto ru m fo r t h e 3 l st of May .

TH E O RA T O R! , L O N DO N,
M a y 3 1 8 t, 1 874 .
 C O NT E NT S

S VERO N I C A GIU L IAN I

. .

B O O! I .

C ON TAI NI N G AN A CC OU N T OF H E R L I FE IN TH E W OR LD AND ,

O F T H E M O S T I M PO R T A N T E VE N T S I N T H E F I R S T FI FT E E N
! E AR S O F H E R R E LI GI O US CA R E E R T OG E T HE R WI T H A ,

BRI EF S ! E T C H O F T H E OFFI CE S WHI C H S H E F I LLED e T H E

C ON VE N T .

C HAPT ER A P GE

I .Th e b irth o f Ve ro n i c a T o k e n s o f h e r s ubse que n t

san ctity an d h i g h pr ivil e g e s appare n t e ve n i n

isfa c
x g 3
II . h e b e gm s a t th e age o f th r e e ye ar t o e nj o y

s m
.

fam l ar n t erc o ur e w t Je u a n d M ary m

ii i s ih s s
7
II I . s s
Th e r t p ro o f o f e xtrao r i n ary virtu e w i c d h h
d id
m a e h e r ch l h o o re m ar a e d k bl 12
IV . s
H e r fath e r r e m o ve with r u a an d h e r Us l
te r t o si s s
h
P iac e n za, w e re at th e age o f t e n sh e m a e h e r k s
s
F ir t C o m m un o n i W en twe ve ye ar o l d sh e
h . l

s
b e g i s t o p ractise m e tal praye r
n n 20
V . Th e r i ch fru it wh i ch Sh e gath e re d fro m th e e xe r
c ise o f m e d itatio T h e rst i n sta c e s o f o pp o
n .

n

s itio u t o h e r re li g io us v o cation whi ch sh e h ad to

e c o un te r at P iac e n za
n 28
VI . Ursul a i s se t b ac k t o M e rcate llo wh ere sh e re
n ,

s id e s i n th h o use o f h e un c l e Ne w trials o f
e r

h e r vo cati o A t l e n gth h e r fath e r yi e l d s to

n. -

h e r i n u e c e an d r e p e ts e di g hi s li fe w ith
n n ,
n n

ce rtain m ark s o f e ter al salvatio n n

i 35
VI I . Havin g re c e ive d th e d e s ire d c o n se n t o f h e r fath e r ,

U rsula pro cure s i n an e xtrao rdin ary w ay h e r

a dm ission am o n g th e Cap uchi n n un s Of C ittadi
C aste ll o
xii C ON TE N TS .

C HAPT E R PA G E

VII I . H c l oth in g De c e its o f th e d e vi l d uri n g h e r

er .

n o vi c iate 46
IX . H e so l e m n pro fe ssi
r H virtu e i s stre gth
on
er n

e e d n o tw i th sta di g t h e assau lts o f t h e d v il

n ,
n n e ,

b y sp e c i al grac e s wh i ch sh e r c e i ve s fro m G o d e

d uri g th arly y ars o f h e r li g i o us l ife

n e e e r e 56
X . Th e O f c e s w h i c h sh e i call e d t o ll i n th e c o n s

ve t Th e m
n er i

wh i c h h e d is ch rg e d h e
an n n s a r

d utie s 64

B OO! II .

C ON T AI N I N G A CC OUN T O F T H E E X T RAORDI NAR! GR ACE S

AN
B ! M E A NS OF W H I C H S H E W A S R A I S E D D UR I N G T H E L AS T
TH I RT! F I VE ! E AR S O F H E R L I FE T O T H E HI G H E S T DE G REE
-

O F S A N C T I T! AND RE N DE RE D T H E L I VI N G I M A G E O F JE SUS
,

CR U C I F I E D .

I M yste rio u s visi o o f a chali c e wh i c h pre p are d h e r

. n ,

t o r e pro d uc e i n h e r o wn p e rs o n t h e P as s i o n O f
o u r Re d e e m e r 85
II Ve ro n i ca i s m ad e t o p arti c ipate i n o u r Bl e sse d
.

Sav i o ur s cro wn i n g w ith th o rn s Th e s e ve re

p ai s w h i ch th
n i s cau s e d h er an d h e r su ffe rin g s ,

f ro m t h e r e m e di e s t o wh i ch h e r su p e r i o rs r e
u i r e d h e r t o sub m i t 92
q
III Sh e i s pro m o te d t o h e ave ly e sp o usal s
. Th e m an n .

er i w h i ch o u L o r d p re pare d an d c o n d ucte d
n n r

th e m 99
IV Th e g i fts an d favo urs whi ch Je sus lavi sh e d o n H i s
.

spo use d uri g t h e t wo fo llo win g days H e r

n

c orre sp o n d e c e t o th e m n 1 10
V I n O b e di e n c e to a di vi n e c o m m a d sh e b e g i n s t o
. n

fast ri go ro u sly o n b re a d an d wate r a d c o n tin , n

u e s t o d o s o fo r s e ve ral ye ars Th e o ppo siti o n

whi ch sh e h a d t o e n c o u te r fro m h e r sup e ri o rs n

,

as w e ll a s fro m h e rs e l f an d fro m th e o we rs o f
p ,

darkn e ss 1 15
VI 1 F urth e r i n stan c e s o f Ve ro n i ca s d e l ity to h e r

.

divin e S p o use Sh e re c e ive s fro m H im a wo un d

i n th e h e art F o ur d o cum e n ts wr i tten by h e r

.

w ith h e r o wn b l o o d 127
VI I Je su s pro d uc e s i n h e r a still gre ate r r e se m blan c e
.

t o Hi m s e l f by i m pri n ti g u po n h e r H i s sacre d n

sti gm ata 1 39
V II I Th e sti g m ata are r e p e ate d o n vari o u s o ccasi on s
.
,

an d atte ste d by n e w an d sati s facto ry pro o fs 152

 CO N TE N TS . xi i i

C
. HA PTER A
P GE

IX . Ve ro n i ca parti c ip ate s i n al l th e r Do l o urs

th e o

w hi c h c o n stitute d th e d ivin e Pas si o n W o n de r

.

f ul m ark s i m prin te d o n h e r h e art 1 63

X . Th e e xtrao rdin ary grac e s an d f vo urs wh i c h ao
a

c o m pani e d h e r last i lln e ss an d h o ly d eath 1 78

B OO! I I I .

~
OF HE R OI C VI R TU E S AND OF TH E GIF TS W H I C H SH E
PO SS E S SE D I N C OM M O N WI T H O T H E R SAI N T S .

I . Je su s C hri st H i m se l f b e c o m e s h e r v is i bl e I n struo
t o r i h Chr i stian an d p e rfe ct l i fe H e r c o n stan t

d e sire o f gre ate r p e rfe cti o n 1 95

Ve ro n i c a s h e ro i c p e rfe cti o n i n th e th e o l o gi cal

II .

virtu e s 202
I II . H e r re m arkab l e z e al an d charity t o ward s h e r
n e i g h b o ur 21 1
IV . H e r sp irit o f p o ve rty an d m o rt i c atio n an d h e r ,

g e lio p urity 2 25
V . H e r p ati e n c e an d i m p e rturb ab l e g e n tlen e ss 2 36
VI . H e r wo n d e rf ul h um i l i ty 25 0
VI I . H e r m iracul o u s O b e di e n c e 25 9
VI I I . H e r te n d e r d e v o ti o n t o t h e Bl e ss e d Vi rgi n t o h e r ,

guard ian an ge l an d t h e o th e sai n ts

,
r 2 67
IX . H e r g ifts o f pro p h e c y an d m irac l e s d urin g l ife 2 75
N O TE 2 85

B L ESS ED BATTI STA VARAN I .

HI ST ORI CA L NOTI C E 289

P R OL O G UE 295
I . H e r v o w m ad e i n c hi l dh o o d re lative to th e Passio n
o f Je s u s C hr i s t H

pro gr e ss in thi s d e vo ti o
er n,

an d th e p i o u s e x e rc is e s w h i c h i t s ugg e ste d t o
h er 29 8
II . Sh e r e sists th e grac e o f a r li g io u s v o catio n f
e or a

l o g tim e b u t e d by fo ll o wi g it w ith g e
n ,
n s n ne

r o si t
y
I II . Sp irit ual favo urs w h i c h f o ll o we d h e r en ti re c on
ri
ve s o n 3 12
x iv C O N TE N TS .

C HAPT ER PA C 1!

IV . W hat sh e h ad to ffe nsu r d uri g

h e r n ov i ciate H e r .

re tur n a ri
t o C m e n o , w e e sh e hr e r c e i ve d great
favo urs r f om Ha
e ve n , an d , m on o a g th e rs a vi sit ,

fro m S C lar e . 326

V . O th e r div in e favo ur s acc o rd e d t o B atti sta : th e y
are fo ll o w e d b y e w tri b ulati o s n 3 37 n

VI . Battista addre sse s t o h e sp iritual fath r p rticu r e a

lars supple m n tary t o th h isto ry o f h e l ife

e e349 r

VI I . F irst pain S o rro w fo r th e s u ff r in g s o f th e l o st

.

e

an d th e e l e ct 3 64
S e co d pai n
n T h e so rro ws o f C hri st fo r th e su f
.

f r in g o f H i M o th e r S M ary M ag dal e
e e s a d
,
. n, n

H i s di s c i pl e s 3 70
Third p in Th e s o rro ws o f C hri st fo th e in gra
a
r

t i t d e O f th e Je wi s h p e o pl
u d o f ll cre a e, an a

ture s H i s e p e c ial s orro w i th e Gard e n

s 3 75n

SU PPLE M E NT .

I. H er h um ility 3 83
II H e r chari t t o war d s h e r e i gh b o ur m a i fe ste d i n
.
y , n n

th e w r in g s h e g i e s h e di s c ip l e
a n s v r 3 94
I II . H e r v irtu e i tri e d b y th e go o d a d e v il fo rtu e o f
s n n

he r fam i ly Sh e stab l i sh e s a m o aste ry

e t n a

F e rm o a d r tur s t o Cam e ri o w h e re Sh e i
, n e n n ,
s

rais e d t o th e di gn ity o f abb e ss

IV . F ri e n d sh i p o f B ttista w ith Jo hn o f Fa o a B n .

e

inn i g o f th c o gr gati o f Capuch i s

geath of Battista an d ve eratio n o f h e r b o dy
n e n e on n .

n
 TH E L IF E OF

S VERONI CA
. G I U LI A NI .

C H APT ER I .

TH E B I R TH OF VE R O N I CA T O ! EN S OF H E R S U B S E
.
~

! U E N T S ANC T I T Y AND H I G H P R I V I L E G E S APPARENT

E VE N I N H E R I N FANCY .

TH E dist ric t of M e rc at e l l o wh ic h is on e of cons id e r

,

abl e impor tan c e in t h e Po n t ic a l S tat e s b e i n g i n t h e

,

di o c e s e of Urb an i a p a rt of the Duchy of Urbin o

, ,

wa s th e fav o ur e d birth pl a c e of S Ve ro n ic a wh os e
-
.
,

w o n d e rful life w e are ab o u t t o r e l at e H e r fath e r

.

wa s F r an c e sco Giuli an i an d h e r m o th e r B e n e d e tt a
,

M an cini of S An ge l o in Va d o a dioc e s e u n it e d
.
,

t o U rb an i a , bo th w e r e of h o n o ur abl e an d we al thy
f amili e s. T h e ir u n ion in h o l y m atr imo n y wa s bl e ss e d
w i th n o m al e i ssu e bu t th e y ha d no l e ss tha n s e v e n
,

d aught e rs t h e y o u n g e s t of wh o m wa s our S a in t Ev e n
, .

b e fo r e th e bi th of th is h e r l a s t c h ild the m o th e r ha d
r
,

r e a son t o for e s e e that h e r I n fa n t w ould prove an e x t ra

ordin ary o n e ; for wh e re a s o n al l pr evious o cc asio n s
s h e ha d b e e n afi c t e d w i th s e v e r e su ff e ri n gs a n d ex

l
4 s . V E R ON I CA G I UL I AN I .

t r e m e in t e rn al we ak n e ss so that sh e ha d b e e n comp e ll e d
,

t o abstain in c o n s e qu e n c e fr om h o ly C o mmu n i o n n o w ,

o n th e co n t r a ry Sh e e nj o y e d suc h g o o d h e a l th an d

e x e mp t ion from th e t ri als usu all y e xp e ri e n c e d in h e r

condit i o n that sh e wa s abl e t o p e rform al l h e r
,

d e vo t io n s an d dom e st ic du t i e s wi th e a s e an d al a cri ty ,

an d Sh e d e cl a r e d with a s t o n is h m e n t that sh e ha d n e v e r

b e for e sp e n t suc h c alm an d j o y ful d ay s .

At l e n g th th e d ay arrive d whic h was t o b e m ark e d

b y th e n at ivi ty of h e r fa vour e d o ff spri n g It was th e .

2 7 th of D e c e mb e r wh ic h i s d e dic at e d t o t h e m e mory
,

of S Jo hn th e b e l o v e d discipl e o f J e s u s Chr ist 3 an d

.
,

p e rhaps i t wa s t h e Sp e ci a l pr o vid e n c e o f God wh ic h

appoin t e d th i s fe a s t fo r th e bir th d ay o f S Ve r o n ic a .
,

w h o e v e n i n h e r e a rli e s t i n fan c y cl e arl y pr o v e d h e rs e l f

t o b e o n e o f th os e happ y souls o n w h o m G o d ha s b e
s t o we d th e ch o ic e s t pr e rog at iv e s o f His l o v e On t h e .

follo win g d ay b e i n g t h e F e a s t of th e H o l y In n o c e n t s
, ,

1 6 60 sh e wa s r e g e n e r at e d at t h e b ap t ism a l fo n t i n t h e
, ,

coll e gi at e ch urc h o f S P e t e r an d S P aul D G i o van

. .
,
.

An t on io B o rgh e s e o f ci at in g as p a ris h pri e st S h e re .

c e i v e d t h e n a m e of Ursul a a pr e s a g e that sh e w oul d

,

n o t o n l y b e a vi rgi n S a i n t bu t lik e w is e t h e guid e an d

,

mis tr e s s o f o th e r h o l y virgin s .

Th e an t icip at i o n s fo rm e d r e sp e c t i n g h er w e r e
quickl y r e alis e d Two o f h e r sis t e rs have d e pos e d
.

up o n o ath that Sh e n e v e r u tt e r e d a cry n o r Sh e d a

t e ar bu t wa s al way s qui e t s e r e n e an d ch e e rful w i th
, , , ,

o u t m a n ife s t i n g t h e l e a s t a n t ip athy t o wa rds an o

y ne ,

p e rmitt ing h e rs e lf t o b e han dl e d w i th o u t c o mpl ai n t ,

an d t o b e n u r s e d at what e v e r t im e h er m o th e r
pl ea s e d On th r e e d ay s i n th e w e e k We d n e sd ay , ,

Fri d ay a nd S at urd ay Sh e displ ay e d an a v e rsio n fr o m

, ,

he r food so much so that sh e w oul d o n l y tak e a few

,
 S . VE R O N I CA G I UL IAN I . 5

d rops morn i n g an d e v e n i n g ; and n o th in g could i n

duc e h e r t o tak e more o n the s e d ay s T hus lik e .
,

S Nich ol a s of B a ri a nd o th e r s ain t s th is c hild

.
,

e a rl y c o mm e n c e d h e r fas t s b y way of p r e lud e t o th os e

s tric t o n e s wh ic h sh e obs e r ve d a fte r wa rds M an y .

th i n gs c o n cur t o S h o w that this abs t in e n c e was pro

d u c e d b y a h igh e r than n at u ra l i n u e n c e i n t he r s t
pl a c e Sh e g a ve n o S ign of su ff e ri n g or discomfor t bu t
, ,

wa s bright an d c alm a s usu a l : s e co n dl y b y h e r ,

mo th e r b e in g c o mp e ll e d o n th e s e d ay s t o tak e t o h e r
br e a s t s o m e c h ildr e n o f t h e poor W h om sh e a ccord
,

i n gl y nu r s e d i n t h e pr e s e n c e of h e r litt l e d a ug ht e r ,

wh o n e v e r Sh o w e d an y s y mp t om of e n vy or j e alous y ,

a s y o u n g c h ildr e n so S i t u at e d are a t t o d o o n t h e
p
co n t rary i t wa s o bs e rv e d that sh e s e e m e d t o b e p ar
,

t i c u l arl y g rat i fi e d b y th e sight of t h e poor li tt l e

o n e s p a r taki n g of h e r o w n n o uris h m e n t L a s tl y .
,

i t is e vid e n t fro m t h e abov e m e n t io n e d d ay s b e in g

,
-

d e dic at e d i n t h e Ch ris ti an w orld t o th e h o n our of t h e

P a ssio n o f J e sus Chris t an d t o t h e m e mory of His
m o s t h ol y M o th e r that sh e wa s att r a c t e d t o wards
,

bo th e v e n fr om h e r cr a dl e b y a p e cul i a r an d w on
d e rful d e v o t i o n . T h is W e S hall se e con rm e d h e r e
afte r b y th o s e t ouch in g c o mmun ic at i o n s wh ic h w e r e
e xch a n g e d b e tw e e n J e sus a n d M a ry o n t h e o n e han d ,

a n d o u r vi rgi n S ain t o n t h e o th e r th rough ou t t h e

,

e n t ir e cou r s e of h e r life .

Bu t som e th i n g s t ill mor e a s t onishing r e m a i n s t o b e

r e l at e d
: Th e li tt l e Ursul a wa s ha rdl y ve mo n th s
.

O ld ,
wh e n o n t h e F e a s t of th e Mos t H o l y Trin i ty ,

wh ic h i n t h e y e a r 1 66 1 fe ll o n t h e 1 2th of Ju n e ,

sh e wa s i n t h e a rms of h e r mo th e r
~
Wh o ha d re ,

l ea s e d he r fr om h e r s wa ddlin g clo th e s an d p e rc e ivin g

,

a pic t ur e wh e r e on that a ugus t m y s t e r y wa s r e pro

6 s . V ERON I CA G IUL IAN I .

sen e t d she d e sc e n d e d o f h e r o wn a cc o rd t o th e oor

, ,

an d a lo n e wi th ou t an a ssis ta n c e a dv a n c e d w i th a
y
rm s t e p t o wa rds th e s a cr e d tabl e t b e fo r e wh ic h sh e
,

m a d e m an y sig n s o f r e v e r e n c e an d th e n p aus e d a s
,

th o ugh e n chan t e d W e c an e a sil y con c e ive th e a m az e

.

m e n t o f h e r m o th e r an d o f e ve ry o n e pr e s e n t H e r .

prude nt p ar e n t comp r e h e n di n g that i t wa s t h e w o rk of

,

t h e Almighty att e mp t e d n o i n t e r fe r e n c e bu t l e ft t h e
, ,

c hild t o h e r s e lf ; an d h e n c e fo rwa rd sh e was wrapp e d

i n n o s wath in g b an ds bu t wa s abl e t o wa lk a l o n e
,

w i th o u t m e e tin g wi th an y a ccid e n t An o th e r mir a cl e

.

wh ic h occurre d wh e n sh e wa s a y e ar an d a half Ol d
'

is r e l at e d i n th e p r o c e ss o f h e r c an o n izat io n A se r .

v an t of th e famil y c all e d Al e x an dr a c arri e d h e r in

, ,

h e r a rms wh e n Sh e w e n t t o pu r c ha s e s o m e o il at a S h o p 3
t h e m an wh o s o ld i t e n d e a v o u r e d t o pu t h er Off w i th
s h o rt m e a sure wh e n th e litt l e Ursul a a s t ou n d e d th e m
,

all b y sp e aki n g fo r t h e r s t t im e an d p r o n o u n ci n g
,

i n a dis t i n c t voic e th e s e w ords DO jus t ic e fo r ,

G o d s e e s yo u l A succ e ssi o n of th e s e e xtra o rdin ary
o ccu r r e n c e s i n duc e d h er pi o us p ar e n t s t o r e g a rd h e r
,

n o t o n l y w i th p a r ti a li ty bu t e v e n w i th d e v o t i o n f o r
, ,

th e y ha d go o d r e a so n t o lo o k fo r war d t o t h e sup e r
n at ur a l p r ivil e g e s that w e r e d e s t i n e d fo r th e ir c h ild .

Th e y gu ard e d h e r a s th e appl e of th e ir e ye and h e r ,

e ld e r sis t e rs t o o k p a i n s n o t t o an n o y h e r bu t o n ,

t h e o th e r han d t o fo s t e r h e r n at ur a l disposi t io n Th e .

s e rvan t s fo ll o w e d th e ir e x ampl e t r e at in g h e r a s th oug h

,

S h e ha d b e e n t h e mis t r e ss o f t h e h ous e a s sh e h e rs e lf
, ,

aft e r Sh e ha d g r o w n up an d b e com e a r e ligious de ,

e l are d w i th s e n t im e n t s of h umility and co n fusi o n ,

b e i n g h e rs e lf am az e d th e r e at for s h e h ad th e v e ry
,

po o re s t opin io n o f h e rs e lf .
 s . VE R ONI CA G IULIAN I . 7

C H AP TER II .

SH E B EGIN S A T TH E A G E OF TH R E E YE A R S TO E N JOY
FAM I L I A R I N TE R C OU R S E W I TH JE S US AND M A RY .

WH E N Ursul a ha d co m pl e t e d he r th ird y e a r th o s e ,

s e e ds of d e v o t ion wh ic h ha d b e e n impl an t e d i n he r b y
h e a v e n b e ga n t o d e v e lop th e ms e lv e s d ay b y d ay .

E ve n at that t e n d e r age t h e sport s of ch ildh ood ha d no

,

charms fo r h e r In s t e a d of c h ildis h t o y s sh e ch o s e t o
.

e n t e rta in h e rs e lf w i th a b e a u t iful pic t ur e of th e Bl e ss e d

Virgi n i n t h e a c t o f n ursin g h e r Divi n e S o n wh ic h ,

h u n g o n a wall in t h e h ous e B e fo r e i t sh e r a is e d a
.

sort of li ttl e al ta r an d all h e r th o ugh t s an d c ar e s

,

w e r e conc e n t rat e d o n t h e adorn m e n t of th is h e r or a

t ory . S h e w ould O ft e n i n vi t e h e r sis t e rs t o a ssis t
i n he r pious w ork F rom what fo llo w s i t is e vid e n t
.

that th is wa s n o t w i th h e r a s is th e c a s e w i th s o m e
,

c hildr e n a m att e r of m e r e p a s t im e an d div e rsio n ;

,

Th e ribbo n s an d cor a ls w i th wh ic h h er mo th e r a nd
sis t e rs atte mp t e d t o d e cor at e the p e rson of Ursul a ,

t og e th e r w ith an y o the r or n a m e n t s sh e might re

c e iv e we r e o n e a nd a ll d e vo t e d t o t h e fur n is h i n g of
,

th is c he ris h e d spo t for in h e r h ol y S implicity Sh e wa s

w on t t o r eg ard that s a cr e d pic t ur e a s our Bl e ss e d L o r d
Hims e lf H e n c e Sh e w ould conv e rs e fa m ili a rl y w i th
.

t h e ! u e e n of S a i n t s an d with t h e I nfan t J e sus as ,

th ough th e y w e re r e all y pr e s e n t b e for e he r a nd jus t as

,

if sh e we r e a ddr e ssin g h er o wn mo th e r a nd sis t e rs .

Sh e w ou l d ofte n d e posi t h e r food o n t h is litt l e

al ta r in vi t i n g th e Divin e In fa n t t o p ar tak e th e r e o f ;
,

a nd th e n Sh e w ou l d co n c ea l h e rs elf b e h i n d th e t a
p e str
y a nd wat c h t o s e e if the obj e c t of he r d e vo ti on
,
8 s . V E R ON I CA G IULI AN I .

we r e d e sc e n di n g t o full he r r e qu e s t an d wh e n h e r
w is h wa s no t gr at i e d sh e w ould e xcl aim i n h e r dis
,

appoi n t m e n t : I f Y ou w ill n o t e at th e n n e ith e r ,

w ill I . At o th e r t im e s sh e w o uld e n t r e at M ary t o
giv e h e r t h e Divin e In fan t t o c ar e ss ; an d p e rc e ivi n g
that h e r pr ay e r wa s n o t h e ard sh e w o uld pla c e o n e ,

c ha ir upon a n o th e r in o rd e r t o m o u n t an d tak e h e r

tr e a sur e b y fo rc e m or e than o n c e sh e ha d in c o n se
q u e n ce a fa ll b y wh ic h h e r h e a d w a s s e v e r e l y b r uis e d .

O n risi n g Sh e w o uld r e pro a c h t h e Bl e ss e d V i rgi n fo r

havin g r e fus e d h e r p e t it io n an d cl aim t o ha v e h e r mis
,

hap r e m e di e d wh ic h Sh e ha d n o s o o n e r do n e than sh e
,

fo u n d h e rs e lf c ure d .

T h is simplici ty wa s so pl e a sin g t o M ary an d h e r

Divi n e S o n that o n s e v e ra l o cc a si o n s t h e pic t ur e t o o k
,

t h e fo rm of livi n g p e rs o n s an d Ursul a b e h e ld t h e ,

Hol y Vi rgin pl a c e wi th in h e r a rms t h e s a cr e d B ab e ,

p e r mi tt in g h e r t o l avis h c are ss e s o n Him At o th e r .

t im e s t h e In fan t Savi o ur c am e d o wn fr om His pl a c e

'
.

i n t h e pi c t ur e an d p a r t o o k o n t h e al ta r o f th e fo o d
,

Sh e o ffe r e d pr e s e n t i n g h e r w i t h a p o r t i o n O f t h e s a m e
, ,

that Sh e might shar e it w ith Him It mus t ha v e b e e n .

a w o n d e rful S ig ht t o b e h old t h e li tt l e gi r l s o i n n oc e n t l y

implori n g th e fav o u r o f M ary b e s t o wi n g h e r sm all ,

gift s o n J e sus b e s e e ch i n g Him t o d e sc e n d from th e

,

pic t ur e an d t o a ccomp a n y h e r wh e r e v e r sh e w e n t ;
an d th e n t o se e t h e c o n d e sc e n si o n of M a r y an d t h e
,

s a cr e d H an d o f h e r S o n s tr e t c h e d fo r th t o ward s
Ursul a i n t o k e n o f a cc e p tan c e an d aft e rwards rej o ic ,

i n g t h e h e a rt of His b e lov e d c h ild b y th e mos t

a ff e c t i n g e n d e a rm e n t s .

Such in t e rc han g e of l o ve incr e a s e d th e t e n d e r

h om age of our y ou n g S ai n t t o wards t h e tw o gre a t l

obj e c t s of h e r d evo t ion a nd sh e wa s e v e n p e r

,
10 S . VE R ON I CA GIULIAN I .

h er S is t e rs wh o w e r e c ar e ful n e v e r t o l os e sight o f
,

h e r as als o from th e t e s t im o n y of h e r rs t c o n fe ssor

, ,

t h e Can o n A m b ro n i o f M e r c at e ll o an d i n p ar t a ls o ,

from t h e a cc o u n t wh ic h sh e wro t e o f h e r s e lf aft e r

s h e b e c a m e a r e ligi o us i n O b e di e n c e t o h e r dir e c t o r s
,
.

h e r p e rfe c t s an c t i ty r e n d e ri n g a ll id e a o f d e c e p t io n
i n a dmissibl e Fr om th e s e s o urc e s we also l e arn that
.

at th e s am e age n am e ly i n h e r th i r d o r fou rth y e ar

, , ,,

o n t h e r e t u r n o f h e r m o th e r o r h e r a u n t from c h urc h ,

sh e w o uld k n o w b y t h e p e r c e p t io n of a c e r ta i n c e l e s

t i a l fragran c e wh e n th e y ha d b e e n t o h o l y C o m m u
n i o n an d w o uld e xcl a im
,
H O W s w e e t th e p e r fum e !
,

O h h o w s w e e t 1 n o r w o uld sh e l e a v e th e m for a con
,

si d e rab l e t im e Ve ry fre qu e n t l y wh e n tak e n i n t o a

.

ch u r ch alth o ugh so y o u n g Sh e b e h e ld t h e S a cr e d

, ,

H o s t all d azzlin g an d glori o us ; an d s o m e t im e s t h e

li vin g fo rm o f t h e H o l y Ch ild J e sus wa s visibl e t o
h e r e ye s W e mus t n o t o mi t a r e m ark abl e i n cid e n t
.

wh ich o ccur r e d wh e n sh e wa s ab o u t fo ur y e ar s Ol d .

H e r mo th e r was tak e n s o d an g e ro usl y ill that t h e

h ol y Vi at icum was c o n v e y e d t o h e r At t h e m o m e n t .

o f th e e n tran c e O f t h e Bl e ss e d S a cr am e n t Ursul a ,

b e h e ld It r e spl e n d e n t w i th suc h h e a v e n l y light that

sh e implor e d th e p ri e s t t o c o mmu n ic at e h e r a lso In .

o rd e r t o s atisfy h e r sh e wa s t old th at h e ha d bro ugh t

,

w i th h im o n l y o n e p articl e o f th e Bl e ss e d E ucharis t ,

t o whi c h t h e ch ild d o ub tl e ss e n light e n e d fro m ab o v e

, ,

promp tl y r e pli e d that h e might br e ak o ff for h e r a

fr agm e n t of that o n e fo r that as i n th e c a s e o f a
,
.

mi rr o r wh e n i t is br o k e n i n t o a mul t it ud e of pi e c e s
, ,

e a c h fr a gm e n t w ill s t ill r e e c t t h e e n t ir e O bj e c t wh ic h

t h e wh ol e origin all y r e p r e s e n t e d so e a c h p o r t i o n o f
,

that S a cr e d H o s t divid e d b e tw e e n h e r mo th e r an d
h e rs elf w ould con tain Je sus a s e n t ire l y a s th e wh ol e
 S . VE R ON I CA G IULIAN I . 11

h ad do n e b e fo r e It w as br o k e n All pr e s e n t w e r e
.

fi ll e d wi th a s t o n is h m e n t A s s o o n a s h er mo th e r ha d
.

r e c e ive d h oly C o mmu n i o n t h e litt l e Ursul a e xcl aim e d

,

Oh h o w lov e l y is that wh ich yo u hav e r e c e iv e d !

,

an d spri n gi n g o n t h e b e d an d dr aw i n g n e a r t o h e r

m o th e r s lips sh e w e n t o n

,
Oh h o w s w e e t h o w ,

v e ry s w e e t ! n o r could all t h e sc o ldin g a ddr e ss e d t o
h e r i n duc e h e r t o t e a r h e r s e lf away .

Th e pious l a d y ha d a l r e a d y los t t w o of h e r d au ght e rs .

B e in g n o w o n t h e v e rg e o f th e g rav e sh e c a ll e d arou n d ,

h e r t h e v e w h o s t ill surviv e d an d a ft e r b e s t o wi n g
,

o n th e m a ll t h e pr e ci o us l e g a c y o f a p a r e n t s dy i n g

c o u n s e l sh e c o n clud e d b y c o n sign i n g e a c h o f h e r c h il
,

d r e n t o o n e Of t h e s a cr e d w o u n ds o f J e sus C ru c i e d .

F o r Ursul a sh e s e l e c t e d t h e Sid e pi e rc e d w i th t h e sp e ar ,

wh ich wa s alr e a d y t h e obj e c t o f that cl e a r ch ild s t e n d e r
l o v e b e sid e s b e in g t h e p e r e n n i al fo u n ta in wh e n c e
,

th ro ugh o u t h e r wh o l e life s h e wa s a ccus t om e d t o draw

a bu n d an c e of gra c e s Aft e r th is our S ai n t s e xc e ll e n t
.
,

m o th e r br e ath e d h e r l a s t Th e y ou n g Ursul a ov e r
.
,

wh e lm e d w i th a fflic ti o n c o uld n o t b e p e rsu a d e d t o

,

qui t h e r bo d y night or d ay bu t th e r e Sh e r e m ai n e d ,

i n that c ha mb e r of d e ath gi vm g v e n t t o h e r d e e p
,

a ffe c t i o n Th e r e w e r e no m e a n s o f i n ducin g h e r t o
.

o t o b e d for h e r mo th e r wa s n o t th e r e At l a s t t h e
g , .

s e rva n t s h i t o n t h e e xp e di e n t o f pl a ci n g o n h e r b e d
an im a g e of th e Bl e ss e d Virgi n w i th h e r Divi n e I n

fan t ; t h e ch ild th e n g av e way an d c alml y compos e d

,

h e rs e lf t o sl e e p F r o m that t im e Sh e k e p t up th e
.

p ra c t ic e of m akin g that s a cr e d im ag e h e r comp a n io n

an d i t O ft e n s e e m e d t o h er that th e B a b e of B e th l e h e m

look e d gra ciou sl y o n h e r an d sm il e d .

 12 S . V E R ON I CA G IUL I AN I .

C HAPTER III .

TH E
'

F I R S T P R OOFS OF E XT R A O RD I NA RY VI RT UE W H IC H
M A D E H E R C H I L D H O OD R E M A R ! A B L E .

TH Ew o n d e r ful th i n gs wh ich w e hav e r e l at e d s e rve

rath e r a s illus t r ati o n s o f th e p e culi ar fa v o ur o f h e av e n
t o war d s t h e li ttl e U r sul a than a s p r o o fs o f that sup e r
n at u ra l Vi rt u e wh ic h wa s so c o n spicu o us e v e n i n h e r

e arli e s t y e ar s an d t o t h e c o n sid e r at i o n o f whi c h we

,

s ha ll d e v o t e t h e p r e s e n t c ha p t e r Ursul a b e g an at
.

a m o s t t e n d e r age t o m a n ife s t an e x t r a o r di n a ry c o m

p a ssi o n t o war ds t h e p o o r S h e w o uld a l way s re

'

s e rv e a p o r ti o n o f h e r br e akfa s t din n e r coll at i o n

, , ,

a n d supp e r t o b e s t o w o n th e m b y way of a lms ; a n d

th is sh e w ould pr e s e n t t o th e m w i th r e m arkabl e affe c

t i o n wh e n Sh e saw th e m p a ss al o n g th e s t r e e t I f
,
.

i t happ e n e d that sh e ha d n o th i n g t o giv e th e m sh e ,

w o uld b e tak e h e rs e lf t o h e r p are n t s w i th e n gagi n g

imp o r t u n i ty On m an y o cc a si o n s sh e imp o v e ris h e d
.

h e r s e lf t o r e li e v e t h e dis tr e ss e d O n c e sh e s aw
.

a li tt l e b o y a lm o s t d e s t i t u t e o f clo th i n g an d a c ,

c o rd i n l y t o o k o ff h e r a pr o n t o c o v e r h im w i th i t
g .

At an o th e r t im e sh e was s tan din g at the w in d o w

wh e n a pilg rim a sk e d h e r fo r a littl e c hari tabl e
a ssis tan c e ha vi n g n o thi n g e ls e that sh e c o uld th in k
.

o f t o giv e h im wi th h ol y simplici ty sh e t o o k off o n e o f

,

h e r n e w slipp e rs wh ic h sh e ha d pu t o n fo r th e rs t t im e
,

that d ay an d g ave i t h im Th e p o o r m an s aid a s h e

,
.
,

a cc e p t e d t h e gift that o n e w ould b e of no u se t o hi m

,

w i th ou t t h e o th e r wh ic h he imm e di at e ly r e c eiv e d
,

from t h e ha nd of the g e n e rous ch il d E ve ry o n e .

 s . VE R ON I CA GI ULIAN I . 13

k n o w s h o w v a in c hil dren are ap t t o b e of suc h a rt icl e s

of dr e ss an d h o w fo n d th e y are of displ ayin g th e m
,

i t m ay the r e for e b e e a sil y co n c e iv e d h o w s e lf d en yi n g

-

wa s th is a c t of chari ty on th e p ar t o f Ursul a Our .

L ord wa s pl e a s e d t o sign ify His approb at i o n b y a

tw ofold mi ra cl e In th rowi n g i t ov e r t o h im the
.

s e c o n d slipp e r c aught o n t h e arc h of t h e do o r bu t ,

t h e h e ig ht of t h e pilgrim in cr e a s e d t o suc h a d e gr e e
that h e wa s abl e t o r e a c h i t w i th h is ha nds pre
s e n tl y th e m o s t H o l y Virgin app e ar e d t o Ursul a ,

h o ldi n g i n h er han d th e gift s wh ic h ha d b e e n b e

s t o w e d o u t h e pilgrim n o w e n ric h e d wi th cos t ly
,

j e w e ls ; an d t h e M o th e r o f God e xpl ai n e d t o Ursul a

that sh e ha d jus t r e c e iv e d th e m from h e r in t h e
p e rs o n of that poor t r av e ll e r an d that i t wa s h e r
,

Divi n e S o n wh o ha d a dor n e d th e m w i th g e ms .

An o th e r t im e wh e n Ursul a h ad giv e n a pi e c e o f
r ath e r bl a ck br e a d t o a poor m an b e c aus e sh e ha d n o
,

b e tt e r t o b e s t o w sh e b e h e ld i t c han g e i n his hands

,

i n t o br e a d wh it e r than s n o w wh ic h th e b e gga r i n
,

h i s w o n d e r s h o w e d t o e v e ry o n e h e m e t in th e
s tre e t
.

T h is fa vour e d c hild no t onl y e xc e ll e d th us earl y

i n t h e gr a c e of c hari ty bu t wa s l ik e wis e r e m a rk
,

a bl e fo r an e xt r a ordin a r y d e sir e of su ff e ring wh ic h

,

wa s e n ki n dl e d in th e follo w in g way O n o n e occ a sion

.

wh il e p e rformi n g h er d e vou t e x e rcis e s b e for e t h e

pic tur e of whic h w e hav e spok e n in th e pre vi ou s
c hap t e r sh e h e ard th e s e w ords from h er In fa n t
,

S avi o ur M y Spous e th e C ro ss await s thee
, Th e
.

y ou n g S ain t in h er in e xp eri e n c e con c e iv e d that sh e

wa s thus warn e d t o pr e s e rve th e s a cr e d S ign of our re
d e mp t ion from e v e ry a c t of irr e v er e nc e ; a nd the r e for e
 14 S . VE RON I CA G I ULI AN I .
,

w hen e v e r Sh e p e rc e ive d in th e h ous e or g ard en pie c e s

O f s t r aw or th r e a d a ccid e n tall y l a id i n t h e form of a

c ross ,
sh e pick e d th e m up w i th r e v e r e nc e an d pu t ,

t he m a way i n a b o x l e s t an y o n e S h o u ld i n a dv e rte n t l y
,

t re a d on th e m B u t wh e n sh e h e ard t h e liv e s of t h e
.

s a in t s r e a d for h e r pious m o th e r w as a ccus t om e d

!
t o m ak e that h ol y s t ud y s e rve fo r o n e o f th e r e cr e a
t io n s o f h e r d aug ht e r s ) sh e v e ry q uickl y a ppr e h e n d e d
, ,

b y m e an s O f th e light v o uch s afe d h e r fr o m above ,

t h e t ru e m e a n i n g o f th o s e m y s t e ri ou s w ords an d ,

re s o lv e d t o o b e y t h e i nju n c t i o n th e y c o n v e y e d S he .

wa s n o t mor e than th r e e y e ars old wh e n move d b y ,

t h e suffe rin gs of t h e s a in t s an d e sp e ci a lly b y th os e

,

O f t h e m a r tyrs wh o ha d e n c o u n t e r e d a m e s fo r the

s a k e o f J e sus Ch ris t h e r h e art burn e d w i th suc h a n

,

a rd e n t l o n gi n g t o imi tat e th e m that sh e ran an d thr us t

h e r han ds i n t o a v e ss e l of liv e c o a ls n o r w o uld s h e,

w i th dr aw th e m t ill t h e sm e l l summo n e d t h e i h
m at e s o f t h e h o us e t o h e r sid e I n aft e r life sh e th us
.

,

w r o t e u n d e r o b e di e n c e of h e r s e n s at i o n s at t h e t im e :
I d o n o t p e r fe c t l y r e m e mb e r bu t i t s trik e s m e that
,

a t t h e m o m e n t I did n o t fe e l t h e p a in o f b urn i n g I
s t o o d th e r e i n a s tat e o f t e mpor a r y a bs tra c tio n w e ll
,

pl e a s e d t o b e a s I wa s ; aft e r wards I fe l t p ain

in m y n g e rs whic h w e r e S hr un k up E v e rybod y
,
.

w e p t bu t I a m n ot co n scious of havin g s h e d a
,

t e arf

I n h er fourth y e ar h e arin g that S R o s e of L im a

,
.

wa s i n th e co n stan t habi t of taki n g t h e di scipli n e an d ,

no t k n o win g e x a c tly h o w t o do th e s a m e sh e m a d e ,

a gr e at m a n y k n o t s in h e r apro n s t ri n gs h id he rs e lf
-
,

b e h in d a door u n t i e d h e r apron an d s tr uck h e rs elf

, ,

w i th the m . S he wa s on e d ay d e te c te d by her mo the r

 s . V E RO N I CA G IULIAN I . 15

when thus e mpl o y e d an d so r e l y wa s th e poor chil d

,

m o r t i e d b e c aus e sh e wa s awa r e that h e r s ain t ly

,

m o d e l wa s w on t t o h id e suc h pr a c t ic e s from th e obs or

v at io n of a ll H a vi n g als o h e ard that S R os e onc e
. .

b y way o f m o rti cati o n c rus h e d h e r n g e r b e n e ath t h e

lid o f a box an d th e n th oug h t h e p a i n wh ic h e n su e d
, ,

wa s s e v e re w ould n o t c o n s e n t t o hav e it m e dic ally

,

t r e ate d i n ord e r that sh e might su ffe r th e mor e

, ,

Ursul a w o uld fain hav e fo ll o we d h e r e x ampl e bu t ,

h e r h e a rt fa il e d h e r O ur L o rd h o w e v e r p e r
.
, ,

m i tt e d t h e occurr e n c e of t h e fo llo w i n g i n cid e n t .

H e r ha n d wa s a ccid e n tally s qu e e z e d b e tw e e n t h e
wall an d a door wh ic h h e r sis t e r was cl osin g .

Th e i n n oc e n t c a us e o f th e dis a s t e r no soon e r p e r
c e ive d th is than i n a p ar o xy sm of s e lf r e pro a c h -

sh e cri e d ou t that Sh e ha d kill e d Ursul a wh o , ,

on t h e c o n trary w i th ou t t h e slig ht e s t a gi tat io n

, ,

impl o r e d h e r t o c alm h e rs e l f for th at t h e h ur t ,

wa s n o th in g a l th ough i t wa s bl e e di n g copiousl y ;
,

bu t a s sh e a dd e d in h e r o w n a cc o u n t o f i t My sis te r ,

s e e in g suc h a qu an t ity of blo o d u tt e re d s t ill l oud e r

e x cl a m at io n s wh il e I b e li e v e that fo r m y p a r t I fe l t
,

a c e r ta i n d e light i n s hari n g t h e suffe ri n g o f S R os e . .

Bu t t o m y gri e f th e y in sis t e d o n dr e ssin g m y w ound ,

a l th oug h I w ould ha v e muc h r ath e r e n dur e d i t w i th

ou t ha vin g r e cours e t o an y r e m e di e s a cc o rdin g t o t h e ,

e x a mpl e of that bl e ss e d s a i n t On a n o th e r occ a sion
.
,

t h e scissors w i th wh ic h h e r mo th e r wa s cu tt i n g
a n a il of t h e poor c h ild s foo t b y s o m e a ccid e n t

i n ic t e d a s e v e r e cu t In s t e a d o f givi n g way t o
.

t e ars Ursul a in th e m o s t c h e e rful m an n e r c o n

,

s ol e d he r dis t r e ss e d p ar e n t b y m akin g lig ht o f

t h e injury r e c eiv e d ; an d i n th is c a s e sh e su c
16 s . VE R ON I CA G rU LI ANI .

ce ede d inimi tati n g S R o s e b y disp e n si n g w i th

.

all r e m e di e s Th e s am e go o d mo t iv e l e d h e r t o
.

commi t an o th e r a c t o f childlik e i n discr e tion n am e l y , ,

t o pil e u p a n umb e r o f s t o n e s o n t h e t op of a
littl e wall an d th e n giv e th e m a pus h w i th h e r
,

h e a d wh ich b r o ught th e m t umblin g d o w n o n h e r

,

han ds which Sh e h e ld s tret ch e d o u t o n t h e g r ou n d ,

th e re b y occ a si o n in g h e rs e lf c o n sid e rabl e p ai n At .

l e n gth havin g Obs e r ve d that h e r sis t e rs w e r e in

,

t h e habi t o f usin g c e rtai n i n s t rum e n t s o f p e n an c e ,

Sh e pl a c e d h e rs e lf o n t h e wat ch i n o rd e r t o ge t ,

h o ld of th e m ; b u t i t w as all i n v ai n fo r th e y ,

w e r e k e p t u n d e r l o ck an d k e y N o o n e c an fa il .

t o b e s t ru ck b y suc h i n s ta n c e s of h e r o ism at an ,

age wh e n t h e sm a ll e s t suffe r i n g g e n e r all y dr aw s

t e ar s
.

Th e v e ry d e fe c t s o f h e r c h ild h o o d w e r e s ig n s o f
h e r e x t r a o r di n ary Vi rt u e A n e vil i n t e n t i o n c an
.

chan g e an a c ti o n i n i t s e lf g o od o r at l e a s t i n d if
,

for e n t i n t o a si n wh il e e ith e r i n culp abl e i n ad ve r

, ,

t e n c e or invi n cibl e ign o r an c e e xcus e s fr om sin .

T h u s m an y a c t io n s r e p r e h e n sibl e i n th e ms e lv e s ,

if do n e from a good mo t iv e an d a cc o mp an i e d ,

b y th e ab o ve m e n t io n e d ignoran c e or i n a dve rt e nc e
-
,

m ay und e r c e r tain circums tan c e s b e c o m e e v e n Vir

t u o u s n o t from th e i r o wn n at ur e
,
bu t from th e ,

pri n cipl e wh ic h produc e s th e m Let th e re ad e r

.

b e ar in min d that t h e a c t i o n s r e l at e d of Ursul a

fro m h e r th ird t o h e r s e v e n th y e ar c a n n o t fail
t o b e m ark e d b y muc h imp e rfe c ti o n b e c aus e al , ,

th ough Sh e s e e m e d pr e m at u r e l y t o an t icip at e th e
u s e of r e a so n sh e could n o t p o ssibl y p o ss e ss at that
,

te nd e r age th e light an d ins t ruc t ion n e c e ss ary for

18 s . V E R ON I CA G IUL I AN I .

s acr e d p i c t ur e of J e sus an d M ary th at sh e s ee m e d t o

,

have a h o ly p a ssio n fo r p e rformin g d e vou t fe s t ivi

t ie s th e re an d fo r d e c o rat in g th e al ta r wh ic h sh e
h ad pl a c e d b e fo r e i t Sh e wa s an xi o us that h e r
.

s is t e rs s h ould d o t h e s am e an d if th e y occ a sio n all y

,

app e ar e d u n w illin g sh e w ould b e at t im e o n a b o x

,

u n t il th e y compli e d O n e d ay th e y w e r e so bus y
.

w i th th e ir bobbi n s fo r m aki n g l a c e that th e y p aid n o

a tt e n t io n what e v e r t o h e r summo n s Ursul a fe l t tha t
.

i t wa s an a ff ro n t t o A lmighty G o d t o pre fe r th e ir l a c e
w o rk t o a ssis t in g i n a pi o us a c t i o n ; so sh e w e n t an d
ups e t th e ir wh ol e app ar at us o n t h e oo r .

H avin g h e ard that a c e rtain po tt e r of the adj a c en t

c o u n t ry l e d a w ick e d life an d b e in g awar e that t ri als
,

w il l s o m e t im e s brin g b a ck t h e wan d e r e r i n t o t h e right

p ath p e rc e ivin g mo r e o v e r a s sh e wa s p a ssing b y h i
, , ,

S h Op a good m a n y o f h is n e w l y m a d e v e ss e ls e xp o s e d
,

t o t h e a ir t o ha rd e n sh e wi th h e r sm a ll n g e rs bor e d
,

h ol e s i n a g o o d m an y o f th e m It pl e a s e d God t o .

o v e rrul e th is w e ll m e a n t s e v e ri ty o n t h e p ar t o f t h e
-

c h ild an d t o m ak e i t in s trum e n tal t o t h e co n v e rsi o n

,

O f t h e wr e t c h e d m an .

I n h er s e v e n th y e a r sh e n o t ic e d that a y ou n g m an ,

h e r cousi n wa s muc h atta ch e d t o t h e th i n gs of t h e

,

w o rld so sh e i n vi t e d h im t o pl ay at fe n cin g w ith

,

h e r an d for th e pu rp o s e o f r e scuin g h im from t h e

,

p e rils t o wh ic h h e was e xpos e d abr o a d sh e g a v e ,

h i m a slight w ou n d in t h e S id e w hi c h fo rc e d h im t o
,

c o n n e hi ms e lf t o th e h o us e fo r s o m e litt l e t im e .

On e d ay b e i n g d i se d i e d b y a c e r ta in a c t ion of a
,

dom e s t ic o f th e family h e r i n dign at io n o n a ccoun t of

,

t h e o ff e n c e th us commi tt e d a g a ins t God c arri e d h e r s o

far a s t o giv e th e w om a n a box o n th e e ar Sh e mo re
o v e r r equ e s t e d he r father t o di sm iss the s e rv an t from
 s . V E R ON I CA G I ULI AN I . 19

h is s tabl i s h m e n t an d h e r p e t i t ion b e ing gran t e d i t

e ,

a pp e a r e d t o h e r that sh e ha d don e a v e ry ri g ht th i n g .

Suc h w e r e th e fa ul t s of o u r S ai n t s c h ild h o o d ,

w h ic h h o w e v e r obj e c t ion a bl e I n th e ms e lv e s d e mo n
, ,

s t r at e t h e e xis t e n c e i n h e r h e a r t o f a l arg e fu n d o f

c hari ty r e ligio n a nd z e al ; an d a l th o ug h wh e n we
, ,

b e ar in min d he r e x t re m e y ou th th e y m ay attr a c t ,

o ur a dmir at ion as taki n g th e ir ris e i n e x trao rd i

n ar y virt u e w e mus t no t att e mp t t o im itate th e m
, .

S h e h e rs e lf Vi e w e d th e m w i th fa r diffe r e n t ey e s wh e n
s h e ha d b e c o m e a r e ligi ous an d ha d att ai n e d t o
,

m at uri ty i n k n o wl e dge an d t o fa r gr e ate r p erfe c t i o n

,

i n Virt u e th e n sh e wa s w on t t o m e n t io n the m w i th
d e e p r e gre t an d co n fusio n th o ug h in sp e aki n g of th e m
,

t o h e r dire c t ors sh e co u ld n o t d e n y that t h e m o t iv e s

wh ic h ha d pr o mp t e d th e m w e r e good S t ill l at e r i n .

life o n t h e m o rn in g of t h e rs t Su n d ay in A dv e n t
, ,

wh ic h fe l l o n t h e 2u d of D e c e mb e r in the y e a r ,

1 7 02 our L o rd p e rmi tt e d for h er puric at io n tha t sh e

,

s h ould s e e t h e d e fe c t s of he r e a rl y c h ild h ood u n d e r

t h e s y mb o l o f a h e ar t o f s t e e l an d so p a in full y wa s

s h e the n m a d e co n scious of ha vi n g fa il e d t o corr e spond

w ith th e h ig h favours b e s t o w e d on h e r at that t e nd e r

age ,
that i n th e ago n y o f h e r s e lf r e pro a ch sh e -
,

w ould fain hav e h idd e n h e rs elf fro m that h arro w

i n g sp e c ta cl e i n th e lo w e s t d e p th s of h e ll We .

l e arn th is in cid e n t from an e n t r y i n th e d ia ry o f

Fathe r Ub ald o An t onio Capp e ll e tt i o n e of h e r pri n ci ,

a l dir c t ors A ft r h ha d r n d h h e a r t i n th e
p e . e s e e e e r

crucib l e o f in t e n s e co n t ri t i o n it wa s s h o w n t o h e r
,

a g a i n i n a s tate of S ilv e r wh i t e n e ss a nd at l e n gth a s

,

p oss e ssi n g the qu a l ity of pur e go l d a nd th is wa s ,

e mbl e m at ic of he r progr e ssiv e d e li ty t o gr a c e T he .

All Hol y s ee s th in gs far o the r wi s e tha n s h or ts ight e d

-

o
d
9
20 s . V E R ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

m an I S t ill i t is our du ty t o bl e ss that Divin e lib e r ali ty

whi c h so w e d suc h pl e n t e ous s e e d i n t h e s o ul o f H i s
s e rvan t duri n g th e sprin g t im e o f h e r life an d a ssis t e d
-
,

h er in r e a lisi n g suc h ric h ha rv e s t s of vir t u e a s th os e

we hav e b e e n co n t e mpl at i n g .

C HA PTER IV .

H ER FATH E R R EM OVE S W I TH U R SULA A ND H ER

SIS T E RS T O P I AC E N !A ,
W H E R E A T T H E A G E OF
TE N SH E M A! ES H E R FI R S T C OM M UN IO N W H E N .

T W E L V E Y E A R S O LD SH E B E GI N S TO P R AC TI S E
M E N TA L P R AYE R .

AFTE R th e d e ath of U r sul a s m o th e r whic h wa s re ,

l at e d i n our s e c o n d c hap t e r wh e n t h e subj e c t o f o u r

,

h is t ory wa s b e tw e e n fo u r an d ve ye ars o l d h e r fath e r ,

fo rm e d the i n t e n t io n of t r an sfe rr in g h is r e sid e n c e t o

Pi a c e n za Ursulin a a s Sh e wa s famili arl y c all e d re
.
, ,

m ain e d fo r a t im e i n h e r n at iv e pl a c e w ith h e r sis t e rs

u n d e r th e c are o f o n e o f h e r u n cl e s At t h e age o f .

s e v e n h e r soul wa s fo rt i e d b y r e c e ivi n g th e s a cr am e n t
of C o n rm at ion fro m t h e han ds o f M o n sign or O n or at i ,

Bish op o f th e di o c e s e w i th i n t h e walls o f th e s am e
,

c hurc h wh e r e sh e ha d b e e n b ap tis e d On thi s o cc a si o n .

,

a ccordin g t o t h e att e s tat ion of Sis t e r F lo r id a C e o l i i n ,

t h e proc e ss of S V e ro n ic a s c an o n i zat i o n t h e sis t e r s an d

.
,

di r e c t ors of t h e litt l e girl a ss e r t e d that h e r godm o th e r

saw h er gu a rdi an an g e l visibl y s ta n di n g at h e r sid e .

Abou t th is t im e Sh e ha d o th e r impor tan t Visio n s ,

as w e l e ar n from h e r o w n wri t i n gs

I r e m e mb e r sh e
.
,

s ay s that at th e age of s e v e n o r e ight y e ars J e su s

, ,

app ear e d t o m e on tw o diffe r en t occ a sio n s in Holy

 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL I AN I . 21
'

We e k all cov e r e d w i th w ou n ds an d t o ld m e that I ,

s h ould b e d e v o t e d t o His mos t s a cr e d P a ssi o n ha vi n g ,

s aid wh ich H e v a n is h e d fr o m m y S ig ht I w e p t e x
,
.

c e ssive l a d wh v r I h a rd any m e n t io n m a d e of
y n, e n e e e

th e suffe r i ng s of our L ord I fe l t in m y h e a rt s o m e ,

th in g wh ic h I c an n o t e xpr e ss ; an d what e v e r I did

I o ffe r e d up w i th t h e i n t e n t io n of h o n ouri n g His
P a ssio n I w as d e sirous o f a ski n g m y c o n fe ssor t o
.

give m e som e p e n an c e t o p e rfo r m bu t wh e n I fou n d

m y s e lf wi th him m y lips w e r e cl o s e d o n th e subj e c t
,
.

O u t o f m y o wn h e a d I m an ag e d h o w e v e r t o pr a c t is e , ,

m o rt i cati o n s w i th o u t p e r missi o n from an y o n e ! a

t h i n g n o t t o b e imi tat e d ) suc h a s t h e u se of t h e dis

c ipl i n e wa lki n g o n b ar e k n e e s
,
pricki n g m y s e lf w i th ,

pin s kissin g s o m e r e v o l ti n g obj e c t or cha s tisi n g m y

, ,

s e lf w i th n e tt l e s Wh e n I k n e w of o th e r p e rs o n s
.

doi n g p e n an c e I w e n t s tr aightway b e fo r e th e pic t ur e of

,

m y S a vi o ur an d s aid t o Him L o rd if I ha d bu t t h e
, , ,

i n s trum e n t s wh ic h o th e r s ha v e I w ould d o a s th e y d o , ,

bu t a s I hav e n o t go t th e m I o ffe r T h e e at l e a s t th is ,

m y d e sir e O ur L o rd als o p e rmi t s m e t o r e c al l s u c h

.

lovi n g commu n ic at i o ns a s t h e fo llo wi n g wh ic h H e ,

O ft e n c o n d e sc e n d e d t o b e s t o w o n m e at t h e t im e of

wh ic h I a m sp e aki n g I ha d i n t e n d e d t o e n g ag e in a
.

c e rtai n p a s tim e or a mus e m e n t at a p art icul a r h our ,

an d I did n o t p e rc e iv e that t h e t im e x e d ha d a lr e a d y

a rriv e d . S o our Bl e ss e d L o rd s a id t o m e i n t e ri o rl y
I a m thy t ru e p l e a sur e What dos t t h e n s e e k !
.

What dos t th ou d e sire 4 To wh ic h I an s w e r e d L ord

, ,

for T hy lov e I wis h t o d e priv e my s e lf of that promis e d

amus e m e n t T h e s e w o rds w e re spok e n t o m e bu t

.
,

h o w I kno w no t At o th e r t im e s wh e n I look e d at t h e
.

crucix i t spok e th us t o m e i n t e r io r ly
, I w ill b e thy
Guid e an d thy Spo us e an d th e n I w ould op e n w id e _
22 s . VER ON I CA G I ULI ANI .

m y a rms and say : I am d e t e rmi n e d t o b e T hy Spous e ,

0 L ord an d no o n e s hall mov e m e fr om th is purpos e

,
.

I d e cl are i t fr om m y h e ar t Oh l e t m e n e v e r b e s ep a
.

r at e d fro m T h e e .

S h e ha d n o t qui t e compl e t e d h e r e ighth yea r wh e n

h e r fath e r w h o ha d o b tai n e d th e lucr at iv e an d h o n o u r
,

abl e p o s t of sup e ri n t e n d e n t of n a n c e at Pi a c e n za ,

summo n e d h is wh o l e family t o j o in h im th e r e Ursul a .

an d h er sis t e rs co n t i n u e d t o pu rsu e th e ir d e v o u t o c cu
'
o

p a t i o n s a n d t h e form e r g a v e pr o o fs o f suc h u n c o m
mon Vir t u e that i n h e r t e n th y e ar Sh e wa s co n sid e r e d
,

t t o m ak e h e r rs t C o mmu n ion S h e h ad pr e vi o usl y

.

m an ife s t e d th e mos t a rd e n t d e si r e t o d o s o n o r i n
d e e d could i t b e o th e rwis e co n sid e ri n g t h e r ar e pri
,

v il e e s wh ic h sh e ha d a l r e a d y e nj o y e d i n co n n e c t i o n
g
w ith this Divi n e S a cram e n t W e c an e a sil y c o n c e iv e
.

t h e fe rv o ur w i th wh ic h sh e a ppro a ch e d th e s a cr e d b an
qu e t fo r t h e r s t t im e o n t h e F e a s t o f t h e Puri ca
,

t i o n o f t h e Bl e ss e d V irgin i n t h e y e ar 1 6 7 0 Sh e fe l t .

o n th is occ a si o n a s e n sibl e a m e bu r n i n g w i th i n h e r ,

wh ic h c o n t i n u e d e v e n aft e r sh e ha d r e t u r n e d h o m e ,

bu t im agi n i n g that this wa s o n e of th e o rdin ary e ffe c ts

of h o l y C ommu n i o n Sh e a sk e d h e r S is t e rs w i th h o l y
,

S implici ty h o w l o n g th e wa rm glo w w ould l a s t Pe r .

c e i vi n th ir su r p r i at t h q u s t i h I n fe rr e d
g e s e e e o n s ,
e

that h e r w e ll b e lov e d L ord ha d g ran t e d t o h e r a

-

p e culia r fav o ur an d a cc o rdin gl y s aid n o m o r e b u t

, ,

t o o k c are t o o btai n p e rmissio n t o c o mmu n ic at e a s oft e n

a s possibl e r e c e ivi n g t h e Br e a d o f H e a v e n w i th gre at
,

jubil at i o n an d pro t .

H e r commu n ic at i o ns w i th G o d b e c a m e lik e wis e

more fre qu e n t O n e d ay sh e h e a rd a voic e fr o m t h e
.

pic t ur e of our D i vin e S aviour pro n ou n c e th e s e w ords ,

To war ! t o war ! Ursul a b e in g only t e n years old ,
 S . VE R ON I CA G IUL IAN I . 23

c o n c l ud e d i n al l simpli city that s he wa s her e b y i n

Vi t e d li t e r a ll y t o ta k e up a rm s for at that t im e t h e ,

wa rs i n t h e n e ighbourh ood form e d th e pri n cip a l

t o pic of conv e rs at io n at Pi a c e n za So sh e r e qu e s t e d .

o n e of h e r cousi n s wh o wa s th e n s tayi n g at t h e
h o us e t o t e a c h h e r t h e art o f fe n cin g Bu t wh e n .

Sh e comm e n c e d th is e x e rcis e th e I n fan t J e sus ap

,

p e ar e d t o h e r an d ,
r e p r o v e d h e r f o r ha vi ng s o

u tt e rl y misi n t e rp r e t e d His w ords ; sin c e n o o th e r

sp e ci e s o f warfar e ha d b e e n m e an t tha n that wh ic h
t r av e ll e r s thr ough th is life are c all e d up o n t o wage
w ith t h e d e vil t h e w orld an d th e e sh Th e go o d
'

, ,
.

d ams e l t u rn e d p a l e at h e ari n g th is r e buk e an d re ,

s o lve d t o b e h e n c e for th o n h e r gu ar d ag ai n s t th e s e
fo e s ; n o r did sh e e ve r s hri n k fr om m a rc hi n g c o u
r ag e o usly t o t h e ght wh e n c e sh e wa s w o n t t o re
,

t u rn Vic t orious c o n qu e r i n g h e r d e a dl y e n e mi e s i n
,

m an y a mor ta l e n c o u n t e r a s w e s hall h e r e aft e r

,

se e .

A s so o n a s Sh e h e ard that p ray e r an d m e ditat ion

w e r e t h e b e s t a rms t o hav e r e cou r s e t o i n suc h a c o n
i ct sh e wa s an xious t o a v a il h e rs e lf o f th e m We
'

,
.

l e arn h o w Sh e comm e n c e d t h e l att e r of th e s e h ol y

p ra c t ic e s an d what frui t sh e d e r iv e d fr o m i t i n a
, ,

d o cum e n t wh ic h Sh e w ro t e u n d e r o b e di e n c e t o h e r

dir e c t ors
. Wh e n I wa s ab o u t tw e lve y e ars Ol d sh e ,

s ay s ,
I r e m e mb e r tha t I o ft e n w ish e d t o e n g ag e
i n m e n ta l pray e r bu t I wa s n o t a c qu a i n t e d w i th t h e
,

pr o p e r m eth o d I sp o k e t o m y co n fe ss o r ab o u t i t b u t
.
,

h e k n e w w e ll t h e n a ug ht i n e ss o f m y disposi t i o n an d ,

c o n sid e r e d that so d e vou t an e x e r cis e wa s o n l y t fo r

good p e opl e wh o w e re th or o ughl y gr o und e d in
,

Virtu e .I n m e h e saw n o th i n g bu t in c o n s tan c y

a n d ckl e n e ss I t i s t ru e that I ha d p a id s o m e
.
 24 s . VE R O N I CA G IULIANI .

a tt e n tion t o dr e ssi n g m y littl e a l ta rs an d wh il e so ,

d oi n g ha d fe l t som e s or t of d e v o t io n Wh e n I ha d .

n is h e d a rr angin g th e m I us e d t o fall o n m y k n e e s
, ,

a n d co n t i n u e i n that posi t i o n fo r a lo n g sp a c e of t im e ,

bu t h o w I e mplo y e d my s e lf o n th e s e occ a sio n s I k n o w ,

not . I s e e m e d t o b e in a kin d of e cs ta s y an d I e n ,

j o y e d so gr e at d e lig ht that I
,
c ar e d n e i th e r f o r my
fo od nor a n ythi n g e ls e I us e d t o b e ll e d w i th
.

a d e sir e that a ll c r e at ur e s s h o uld pr a is e an d gl o

ri fy God . I w o uld th e n e arn e s tl y e n t r e at m y sis t e r s

t o c o m e an d sin g w i th m e an d wh e n th e y did s o I ,

e xp e ri e n c e d t h e gr e at e s t c o n sol at io n Wh e n m y

fath e r r e t urn e d h o m e I c al l e d h im also an d p e r

, ,

s u ad e d h im t o joi n i n o ur d e v o t io n s .

Wh e n Chris tm a s arr iv e d I c o uld no t c o n tain m y s e lf
,

f o r j o y an d o ft e n wh e n I c o n t e mpl at e d t h e B ab e i n
,

t h e s ta bl e o f t h e N at ivi ty I s e e m e d t o b e h old H i m
,

s urrou n d e d w i th spl e n dou r ; an d H e att r a c t e d m e t o

Hims e lf i n an i n d e scrib abl e u n io n I wa s n o t i n t h e .

habi t o f m e n t i o n i n g th e s e o ccurr e n c e s t o an y o n e ,

n or did I t urn th e m t o t h e a cc o un t wh ic h I
o u g h t t o ha v e d o n e b u t r e l aps e d i n t o m y c h ildis h
,

way s . On t h e d ay s wh e n I w e n t t o h ol y C o m
mu n io n I fo un d m y s o l e d e light i n m y litt l e o ra
,

t o ry an d al th o ug h I ha d l e arn e d n o th i n g of t h e
,

s ci e n c e o f m e n ta l p ray e r m y wh ol e min d us e d t o
,

b e r e coll e c t e d i n God I s e e m e d t o fe e l our L o r d

.

w i th i n m y h e art i n a p e culi a r m a n n e r an d thus ,

I go t s o m e what in t o t h e habit of m e ditat io n Th e .

l o n g e r I wa s th us e n g age d the s w e e t e r I fou n d ,

it An i n t e ri o r light r e pr e s e n t e d t o m e th e e e ti n g
.

n at ur e of e arth ly thin gs !an d this m a d e m e d e sirous t o

,

l e a ve all I fe l t that no n e wa s good bu t God alo n e So

. .

m uc h the mor e was m y in t e n t ion conrm e d of b s com

26 s . V E R ON I CA G I ULI ANI .

h o w e v e r al l o we d t o u n d e rtak e thi s It wa s s e ldom

,
.

that I with dr e w fro m m e ditat io n W i th ou t o ur L ord

havin g t old m e i n t e ri o ri l y that I wa s t o b e His spous e .

T hi s s tre ng then e d m y r e s o lu t ion of b e c o mi n g a n u n ,

an d m a d e m e mor e an d mor e d e sir o us o f a cc o mplis h

i n g m y purpos e Wh e n e v e r an y p ar t icul a r fe a s t
.

occurr e d I fe l t a s i t w ere a am e w i thi n m y h e art

, ,

wh ic h g av e n e w life t o m y wh o l e b e in g I c o uld n o t .
.

r e s t bu t r a n co n t in u ally ab o u t th e h o us e lik e o n e
,

d e r an g e d so that I s o m e t im e s m a d e th o s e wh o saw
,

m e smil e I fou n d m y c h i e f d e light i n dr e ssin g li ttl e

.

al tar s ; an d th o ug h I c o uld n o t d o th is s o co n v e n i e n t l y

i n m y u n cl e s h ous e I did n o t al t o g e th e r l ay a sid e t h e

,

p ra c t ic e F o r w o rk I ha d n o gr e at g e n ius ; n o twi th
.

s tan din g whi ch I m an ag e d t o ge t th roug h a s m uc h

,

i n an h o ur a s a n o th e r p e rso n i n a d ay I did n o t .

r e g r e t th e circums tan c e o f b e in g taught n o th in g ,

fo r what e v e r I s aw o th e r s d o I ha d c o ur ag e t o ,

a tt e mp t m y s e lf I wa s a p e rfe c t cross t o e v e r y
.

o n e ; an d y e t I k n o w n o t h o w i t c a m e t o p a ss th e y ,

w e r e al l fon d of m e an d s h o w e d gr e at p arti ali ty ,

fo r m e Som e t im e s I r e e c t e d o n this t r e at m e n t
.
,

w h ic h c aus e d m e e x tr e m e su rp ris e N o o n e sc o ld e d .

m e al th oug h m y d e li n qu e n ci e s w e r e n umb e rl e ss
,
I .

w as b y n at ur e p a ssi o n at e ; e v e ry t ri e e xci t e d m e t o
irri tat i o n an d if i t wa s a s e r i o u s an n oyan c e wh ic h
,

b e fe ll m e I s ta m p e d o n t h e gr o u n d like a h ors e ; al l
,

wh ich b e li e v e m e was d o wn right n a ught i n e ss fo r

, , ,

I ha d n e v e r an y su fci e n t grou n d for pr o v o c at i o n .

Fr e qu e n t l y I t o ok i t i n t o m y h e a d t o w is h e arn e s t ly
for a thi n g b ei n g d e sir o us that m att e rs s h ould t urn
,

ou t a ccordin g t o m y fan c y I fe l t i n t e rio ril y warn e d .

t o mor t ify m y s e lf bu t a l a s ! I did n o t lis t e n t o th i s

, ,

voic e It s ee m e d t o m e that whe n I s e t mys e lf t o

. .
 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL IAN I . 27

m e di tate , our L ord ta ught m e what wa s His Wi l l

c o n c e rn in g m e ; bu t I th ought th i s might b e m e r e l y
m y im agin at io n ; h o w e v e r I co n t i n u e d t o fe e l what
,

I hav e d e scrib e d Muc h good ar os e o u t of this ; I

.

b e g an t o a ccus t om m y s e lf t o sil e n c e wh ic h I fo u n d ,

c o n ducive t o r e coll e c ti o n ; an d wh e r e a s I ha d pre

v i o u sl p a id li tt l att t i t m ti t i o I w as
y e e n o n o o r c a n ,

n o w l e d t o pr a c t is e i t habi t u a ll y T hus b y d e gre e s

.

m y th irs t a ft e r su ff e ri n gs i n c r e a s e d ye t m o r e an d
m o r e I oft e n ros e i n t h e n ig ht an d m a d e a litt l e
.

m e di tat io n My att e n t io n wa s x e d t o a c e r tain d e

.

gre e bu t I did n o t th i n k my s e lf th o r ough ly r e c o ll e c t e d

,
.

I n th i s m an n e r p a ss e d t h e t w o l a s t y e ar s wh ic h I
sp e n t i n t h e w o r ld ; th e y w ere t h e fo ur t e e n th an d
ft e e n th of m y age I was subj e c t a t that p e r i o d
.

t o m an y v a i n th i n gs an d th e y ofte n a ffo r d e d m e a
,

c e rtain sor t o f s at isfa c t i o n ; bu t at t h e v e ry m o m e n t

o f so y i e lding I fe l t t h e r e pr o vi n g wh isp e r o f c o n sci e n c e :

wh ic h l e ft m e n o p e a c e u n t il I ha d comm e n c e d th e

ta sk o f g e tt i n g rid o f m y fo lli e s .

Suc h w e r e t h e r s t b e gin n i n gs o f th o s e h ig h gifts of

p ray e r an d co n t e mpl at i o n t o wh ich a s w e s hall se e , ,

s h e subs e q u e n t l y atta i n e d i n r e ligi o n Bu t l e t i t n o t

.

b e supp o s e d that suc h e x e rcis e s w e r e a l way s pl e a si n g

a n d d e light ful e n t e r ta i n m e n t s t o h e r s o ul God o n l y .

k n o w s what I ha v e e n dur e d sh e s ay s wh il e d e scrib
, ,

i n g t h e cru e l t e mp tat io n s an d difcul t i e s b e sid e s ,

t h e d ark n e ss o f mi n d an d dryn e ss of a ffe c t io n s wh ic h

sh e ha d ofte n t o e n cou n t e r bu t whi c h sh e at l e n g th
,

v an quis h e d t riump h i n g o v e r e v e ry obs ta cle b y t h e

,

fo r c e of h oly p e rs e ve r anc e .
0
8 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

C HAPT ER V .

TH E R I C H F RUI T WHI C H SHE GATHERED F R OM TH E

E X ERCISE OF MEDITATI O N TH E FIRST INSTANCES .

OF OPP OSIT I O N T O H E R RELIGIOUS VOCATION W HICH

S H E HAD TO E NCOUNTER AT P I AC E N ! A .

WE hav e al r e a d y s e e n i n t h e a cc o u n t wh ic h sh e give s
u s of h e r s e lf s o m e of t h e a dv an tag e s whic h o u r
S a i n t d e rive d from t h e pra c t ic e o f m e n ta l pr ay e r ,

bu t s till gr e at e r o n e s w ill b e r e l at e d i n t h e pr e s e n t
c hap t e r F irs t w e m ay r e m ark h e r i n c r e a s e d d e
.
,

sire fo r suffe ri n gs a disp o sit i o n wh ic h c o n s tit u te s

,

t h e sur e s t fo u n d at i o n fo r tr u e vi rt u e ; an d w i th
th is wa s combin e d s t i l l g re at e r fe r v o ur at h e r c o m

m u n ion s T h e m o r e I p e r s e v e r e d i n m e ditat i o n
.

! i t is th us sh e wr i t e s o f h e rs e lf at t h e ag e o f

four t e e n ) th e gre at e r b e c am e m y w is h t o suffe r ;
an d a s m y co n fe ss o r w o uld n o t gr an t m e p e n
a uc e s I kn e w n o t what t o d o Ho w e ve r I r e n e we d
, .
,

m y e n tr e at i e s an d h e y i e ld e d t o m y i m po rt u n i ty
, ,

p e rmi tti n g m e t o u se hai r cl o th an d t h e disciplin e

-

thr e e t im e s a w e e k T his I a cc o rdi n gl y di d bu t

.
,

i t a pp e ar e d t o m e a mere n o th i n g O n my c om m u .

ni o n d ay s I c o uld n o t c o n ta i n my s e lf for j oy ; i t
-

s e e m e d t o m e that I th e n h e a rd an i n t e rior v o ic e ,

wh ic h s aid B e h o ld h ere I a m w i th th e e
,

,
I fe lt .

that th e s e w ere th e w ords o f o u r L o r d for th e y c aus e d ,

m e t o p a ss a s i t w ere fr o m a s tat e o f d e ath t o o n e of .

life an d e n kin dl e d suc h a re w i th i n m e that I wa s

,

s om e t im e s a sk e d what wa s t h e m att e r w i th m e S till .

I t ook p a i n s t o conc e al what p a ss e d with in m e .
 s . VERONICA GIU L IANI . 29

Bu
t th e mos t s at isfa c t o ry e vid e n c e of h e r gr a c e s
is a fford e d b y th e u n comm o n s t re n g th of min d b y
whic h sh e wa s e n abl e d t o r e p e l an d s ubdu e t h e
atta cks of h e r spiri t u a l e n e mi e s o n m an y o cc a sion s
wh ic h w ere fr aught w i th d an g e r t o h er i n n oc e n c e .

I t mus t b e o bs e rv e d that t h e a rr a n g e m e n t s of t h e
h o us e w e r e v e ry di ffe r e n t duri n g h e r m o th e r s life

t im e an d aft e r h e r d e ath
,
H e r m o th e r ha d b e e n
.

t o th e l a s t so d e si r ous o f givi n g h er y ou n g d au gh
t e rs a good an d c ar e ful e duc at i o n that sh e a l way s ,

k e p t th e m i n a kin d of m o n a s t ic s e clusio n T h e ir .

d ay s w ere p a ss e d in r e tire m e n t a mid i n dus t ri o u s ,

occup at io n s an d d e vo u t e x e rcis e s Bu t aft e r h e r .

d e ath th oug h t h e fath e r of ou r Ursulin a th e n i n

, ,

h e r fth y e a r wa s a lso pious t h e s a m e s t ric t sup e r

, ,

visio n wa s n o l o n g e r e x e rcis e d o v e r t h e e s tablis h m e n t .

A n d u n fo r t u n at e l y wh e n t h e fa mil y r e mov e d t o
,

Pi a c e n za t h e smil e s o f fo r t u n e an d th e p o mp o f
,

w e al th wh ic h h is n e w posit io n e n abl e d h im t o
e nj o y i n that illus t ri o us ci ty i n duc e d h im t o d e sir e
,

that h is d aug ht e rs s h ould s ha re I n h is e l e v at io n It .

is b ea u t iful t o o bs e rv e th e c an did a nd ye t h umbl e

m an n e r in wh ic h U r sul a sp e aks o f th is e v e n t As .

so o n a s w e a rriv e d th e r e sh e s ay s sp e akin g of Pia
, ,

c e n za ,
m y fath e r g av e ord e rs that w e s h o uld b e
dr e ss e d i n a s tyl e sui tabl e t o h is r an k : he provid e d
us also w ith m e n s e rv an t s an d m a id s e rvan t s ! o u
- -
.

c a n im agin e m y a s t o n is h m e n t at t h e sight of so muc h

spl e n dour for w e ha d b e e n a ccus t om e d t o liv e in a
,

pl ai n way an d ha d n e v e r b e e n t r e at e d lik e gre at

,

l a die s b e for e S til l i t wa s n e c e ss ary t o ac quie sc e in

.

th i s c han g e an d in fa c t I fou n d i t pl e a s an t t o do so
,
.

Th e e vil o n e h o w e v e r wh o is ever o n t h e wat c h

, ,

t o l e t no occ a sion slip of doing us ha rm o n e d ay ,

30 s . VERONICA GIULI A NI .

l aid a sn ar e for Ursul a T he y oung ladie s ha vi n g .

b e e n l e ft in th e c harg e of th o ughtl e ss an d m e rc e n a ry
a tt e n d an t s a m a id sugg e s t e d t o o u r S a in t wh o wa s
, ,

n o w abou t four t e e n y e ars old that sh e sh ould go ,

i n t o a g ard e n cl o s e at ha n d i n ord e r t o g ath e r ,

c e r ta i n h e rbs fo r t h e ki t c h e n Ursul a obj e c t e d .

s t r o n gl y b e c a us e th e r e wa s a n a rro w l a n e l e a di n g t o
,

th is pl a c e th r o ugh wh ic h sh e did n o t lik e t o wa l k

al on e .Bu t a s t h e i n disc r e et dom e s t ic co n tin u e d t o
,

pr e ss t h e m att e r pr o misi n g t o k e e p h e r e ye o n h e r
,

y o u n g mis tr e ss fr o m th e w i n d o w Ursul a at l e n gth ,

m a d e t h e sign of t h e cros s an d in v o kin g h er gu ar ,

d i a n a n g e l a s sh e wa s i n t h e habi t of d o i n g l e ft ,

t h e h ous e S h e ha d s c a rc e l y se t foo t o u t o f d o o rs
.
,

wh e n sh e b e h e ld a pro igat e y ou th b e havin g i m

pr o p e rl y t o a girl n o l e ss ill co n duc t e d tha n h im -

s e lf
. Th e i n n o c e n t Ursul a wa s sh o ck e d an d re ,

b u k e d th e m s harpl y ; bu t th e y o n l y l a ug h e d at h e r ,

c allin g h e r a scrupulous fo o l an d thr e at e n i n g t o ,

b e at h e r Sh e w e n t o n h o w e v e r t o t h e g a rd e n
.
, , ,

wh e n c e sh e r e t urn e d s o m e t im e aft e r w i th t he
h e rbs w h e n sh e saw t h e s am e sc e n e b e i n g e n a c t e d
,

i n t h e s am e sp o t ; sh e th e r e fo r e h urri e d h om e an d , ,

as sh e s t o o d o n th e th r e s h o l d s aid t o h e r s e lf , ,

It mus t sure l y b e t h e d e vil L ooki n g b a ck i n t o .

th e l an e sh e could se e n o o n e n e i th e r ha d t h e
, ,

m aid s ee n an y o n e fr om t h e w i n do w S o m e ye ars .

a ft e r ,
sh e wa s i n fo rm e d b y G o d i n a v isio n that ,

t h e wr e t ch e s sh e ha d s e e n w ere t w o d e mo n s w h o ,

w ish e d b y m e an s of w ick e d e x ampl e t o d e s tro y h er

, ,

vi rt u e which w ould hav e fail e d if h e r h e ar t ha d no t

,

b e e n arm e d b y th e pr a c t ic e of m e di tat ion a nd b y

sp e ci al pro t e c tion from ab o v e .

S he h ad t o sus tain a s till severer t rial at the h and s

 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 31

of h er fath e r wh o th r o ugh a fo n d bu t mi s tak e n affe c

, ,

t i o n ha d s e t h is h e ar t o n s e e i n g h e r m arri e d He
,
.

a cc o rdi n gl y t ook a ll m a n n e r o f p a i n s t o div e r t h e r

th o ught s fr o m t h e r e ligio us life t o wh ic h sh e ha d s o

o ft e n m an ife s t e d h e r atta c h m e n t w is h i n g t o e n g ag e
,

h e r i n s t e a d i n s o m e h o n o u r ab l e a l l i a n c e h e r e x ,

t r e m e b e a u ty havi n g a l r e a d y c a us e d he r t o r e c e iv e
pr o p o s als from s e v e ral O f t h e n o bili ty H e t ook c a re .

t o suppl y h e r w i th e v e r y sor t o f a mus e m e n t an d ,

i n vi t e d t o h is h ouse y o u n g g e n tl e m e n of att r a c t iv e
q u a li t i,
e s wh ose fa sci n at i n g co n v e r s at i o n mig ht i n s t il

i n to h e r mi n d d e si r e s fo r th e w orld an d a ssis t ,

i n r e alisi n g h is ill c o n c e iv e d pl a n -
Th e h e ar t o f
.

U r sul a ha d t o e n c o u n t e r m a n y viol e n t a ss a ul t s b u t ,

s h e s h i e ld e d h e r s e lf a g a i n s t the m b y pr ay e r as we ,

shall se e m o r e cl e arl y fr o m h e r o wn a ccou n t

O ur .

fath e r d e si r e d sh e w rit e s
,
that s h ould b e m o r e
,

rich l y a d o r n e d tha n t h e o th e rs an d wa s i n t h e habi t

,

o f p r e s e n t in g m e w i th v ari o us art icl e s of fa sh i o n

a bl e att ir e . H e wa s so fo n d O f m e that wh e n e v e r ,

h e wa s at h om e h e i n v a ri abl y w is h e d t o ha v e m e
,

a t h is sid e .I wa s g rat i e d b y a ll th is bu t I ,

p r e s e n t l y b e g an t o p e rc e iv e that i t wa s n o wis h
o f h is that I s h ould b e a n u n ; h e t o ld m e that
I o ught t o b e m arri e d an d that a s long a s h e ,

liv e d h e w is h e d m e n e v e r t o l eav e h im
,
I was .

d e e pl y gri e v e d at th is discove ry a s m y d e sir e t o ,

b e c o m e a r e ligious w as e ve r on t h e in cre a s e I t ol d . .

h i m th is bu t I c o uld ge t n o o n e t o b e li e v e m e
,

o r ta k e m y p a r t l e a s t o f all m y fath e r wh o e ve n
, ,

w e p t an d abs o lu t e ly d e cl a re d that h e w ould n o t su ff e r

,

m e t o do a s I propos e d an d i n ord e r t o div e r t m e fro m

,

th e th o ug ht of i t h e w o uld fr equ e n t l y bring h om e

,

w i th h im o the r g e nt l e m en a nd summon m e t o j oi n
,
 32 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

th e m I n th e ir p r e s e n c e h e wo uld pro mis e m e e v e ry

.

sor t o f e xcursi o n an d pl e a sur e an d our Visi t o rs ,

w ould u n i t e th e ir v o i c e s w i th h is T h e y p ain t e d .

w o rldl y e njoym e n t s i n gl o wi n g col o urs h Opin g t o ,

m ak e m e lo n g fo r th e m Bu t t h e e ffe c t produc e d
.

was th e v e ry o pposi t e of what th e y wish e d ; I

c o n c e iv e d a p e rfe c t n au s e a fo r th e thi n gs o f t h e
w o rld an d c o uld n o t b e a r t o h e ar th e m sp o k e n of
,

s e v e ra l t im e s I t o ld th e m a s muc h r e c o mm e n din g ,

th e m t o sp are m e suc h d e sc rip t i o n s b e c a us e t h e mor e

,

I h e ar d o f suc h m att e rs t h e l e ss I lik e d th e m It

, .

w as o f n o u se h o w e v e r an d I h ad t o go th r o ugh t h e
, ,

s am e o r d e a l e v e ry d ay F or a l o n g t im e I b o r e i t
.

p ati e n tly ; bu t at l a s t I d e cl ar e d i n t h e pre s e n c e o f

th e m all that s uc h c o n ve rs at i o n was o dious t o m e
, ,

an d that I could e n dur e i t n o l o n g e r e xpr e ssi n g i n ,

con clusi o n m y c o m p a ssio n fo r t h e mis e ri e s o f p o o r

w o rldlin gs I w as a s qui e t a s I c o uld b e c a us e I
.
,

k n e w that m y fath e r was d e light e d t o h e a r m e talk

an d th o u gh I did e v e rythi n g I c o uld a ga i n s t h i s
w ish e s i t all w e n t for n o th i n g ; for h e c o n tin u e d
,

t o b e v e ry fo n d of m e Som e tim e s h e w o uld c o m e

.

t o m e an d say : I w is h t o pl e a s e y ou i n e v e ry

th in g ; o n ly do n o t b e com e a n u n A t th e s e w ord s .

h e w ould s h e d t e ars o f t e n d e r a ff e c t i o n I us e d .

t o re pl y : If yo u w is h t o pl e a s e m e I ask n o

,

o th e r fav o u r bu t that y ou pl a c e m e i n a c o n v e n t .

All m y d e sir e s w ill th e n b e grat i e d Gran t m e .

this s at isfa ct ion : i t w ill ll m e w i th j o y an d yo u ,

will s e e that i t w ill t urn ou t t o b e a co n sol at i o n t o

y ours e lf als o .

H e r fath e r co n t i n ui n g a s a v e rs e fro m th is arr an g e

,

m e n t as e v e r an d p e rc e ivin g that all h is arti c e s

,

a nd c a r e ss e s ha d no po w e r t o c han ge t h e mind of his

34 s
. V ERONICA G IULIANI .

v e n t alth ough sh e wa s no t p e rmitte d t o k eep i t in

,

h er c ell .

H e r fath e r h o w e ve r w ou l d no t ye t yi e ld th e vic
, ,

t ory b u t th ought t o subdu e h er cons tan c y b y an o th e r

,

m e th od He dropp e d t h e subj e c t of m arri age an d

.
,

did n o t Op e n l y co n t r a dic t h er e xp r e ss e d d e sir e o f

e n t e ri n g r e li gio n bu t h e con t riv e d artfull y t o i n sin
u at e that h e w ish e d t o k e e p h e r w ith h im as l o n g as
h e live d an d t o appoin t h e r mis tr e s s of h is h o us e
, .

H e b e g an a ccordi n gl y t o t e a c h h e r t h e m y s t e r i e s
of h ous e k e e pin g pr e viousl y t o e n t rus t in g h e r w i th t h e
,

c h arge of h i s e s tablish m e n t He sugge s t e d fr om t im e

.

t o t im e that aft e r all h e wa s h e r p ar e n t an d that a ,

d aught e r could no t r e fus e t h e o n l y co n s o l at i o n wh ic h

h e r e quir e d o f h e r To th e s e t o uch i n g e n t r e at i e s
.

sh e r e pli e d r e sp e c t fu ll y bu t w i th sup e r n at u ra l rm
,

n e ss :

W hat mus t I do if I fe e l that i t is o ur L o r d s

Will th at I s h ould b e His Spous e ! God is sur e l y m y

Fathe r in th e h igh e s t s e n s e I mus t o b e y H i m an d
.
,

y ou also It is n e c e ss ary for y ou th e r e fo r e t o b e

.
, ,

r e sign e d t o His Will He w ish e s t o r e c e iv e th is O ffe r

.

i n g at y our ha n ds Wi ll no t y ou pr e s e n t Him w i th
.

that whic h wa s His o w n gift ! I n fa c t I am no l o n g e r ,

y ours I a m t h e prop e r ty of m y L o rd a lo n e

Her .

fath e r wa s bo th am az e d an d soft e n e d b y th is r e ply .

Y ou are p e r fe ct ly right h e s aid ,
I con s e n t that
y ou s h o uld fo llo w our L ord I w is h t o pl e a s e y ou
.
,

an d w ill even l e t y ou b e a n u n Th e h o l y m a id e n

wa s r ej o ic e d b e lie vi n g that th e d e sire d vic t ory w as

,

no w compl e t e l y g ain e d .

S h e m e n t io n s i n h e r w ri t in gs a s t ill gr e at e r t e m p t a
t io n wh ic h sh e ha d t o endure aft e r th is at Pi a c e n za .

T h ere wa s a y ou n g kinsm an o f h e rs wh om h e r fath e r

insis te d on k e e ping in clos e att e nd anc e upon h e r I n .
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 35

o rder t o e xcus e h e r fath e r Ursul a wi th gr e at h u

,

m ility l ay s a ll th e bl a m e o n h er o wn w e a kn e ss This .

y ou th whethe r promp t e d b y mi sc h i e vous m o t iv e s o f

,

h is o wn or at th e i n s tig at ion o f our S ain t s fath e r
, ,

g a ve he r no r e spit e from w orldl y c o n v e rs at io n an d ,

w ould r e pr e s e n t h ims e lf a s th e a mb a ss a dor of o n e

s ui t o r a ft e r an o th e r wh o a spir e d t o th e h onou r
,

o f h e r ha n d .Bu t Ursul a fa i th ful t o h er r e solu t io n

, ,

m an ife s t e d a t o tal i n diffe r e n c e t o th e s e r e p eat e d

a ddre ss e s On e d ay h o w e v e r h e r h o l y i n dign at io n
.
, ,

r o s e so h igh that sh e r e pli e d t o h im wi th d e cision

,

H ave th e go o d n e ss t o b e sil e n t or I mus t l e a v e th e

,

r o om Y ou ought n o t t o b ri n g m e suc h m e ss ag e s a s
.

th e s e I kno w n o th i n g o f an y of th e s e p e rso n s nor

.
,

d o I wis h t o b e a c q u ai n t e d w i th o n e of th e m J e sus .

is m y Sp o u s e th e O bj e c t o f m y d e sire s H e is mine 1

On a n o th er occ a sio n t h e s a m e y o u n g m a n pr e sum e d

t o bri n g h e r a bou q ue t Of o w e rs a s a n O ffe rin g
fr o m h e r l o v e r s ; bu t sh e w o uld n o t e v e n t ouc h
th e m an d o blig e d h i m t o th ro w th e m o u t of th e
,

w in d o w . All th e s e th in gs co n clud e s Ursul a i n
, ,

s t ruc t e d me in t h e d e c e it s o f S ata n .

C H APTER VI .

U RSULA IS SENT BAC ! T O MERCATELLO W HERE S H E ,

RESIDES I N THE HOUSE OF H E R UNCLE NE W .

TRIALS OF H E R VOCATION AT LENGTH H E R .

FATHER YIELDS TO H ER INFLUENCE AN D RE PENTS ,

ENDING H I S LIFE \VITH CERTAIN MAR ! S OF ETER

NAL SALVATION .

T HE Y h ad n o w liv e d at Pi a c e n za for th r e e y e ars ,

an d

al l
i h er
th e all ur e m e n t s wh ic h h ad b e e n tr ie d b y
A
36 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

f ri e n d s at h om e b y th e s e rv an t s a n d above all b y
, , , ,

h e r fath e r ha vi n g fail e d t o a l t e r th e firm d et ermin a

,

t ion of th e h ol y m aid e n i t was r e s o lv e d that sh e ,

a n d he r sis t e rs s h ould b e pl a c e d u n d e r t h e roof o f

o n e of h e r u n cl e s at M e r c at e llo T h e h o p e wa s no t .

al t o g eth e r ab an do n e d of subdui n g h e r c o n s ta n c y b y

f re s h c o n t riva n c e s at a fu t u r e d ay H e r fath e r d e s .

p at c h e d th e n e c e ss ar y i n s truc tio n s t o h is b r o th e r ,

whic h e ith e r b y i n spir at io n or som e o th e r m e an s , ,

c a m e t o t h e k n o w l e dg e o f U r sul a for sh e m e n ti o n s ,

t h em in h e r w ri t i n gs It was r e qu e s t e d that th e
.

wh ol e famil y s h o uld tak e p ai n s t o a n ticip at e all

h e r w is h e s an d e n d e a v o ur t o pl e a s e h er in a ll
,

th in gs . It wa s e xp r e ssl y di r e c t e d that n o o n e
sh o uld sp e a k i n h er pr e s e n c e o f n u n s or co n v e n t s ;

al l whic h i nju n c t i o n s w ere c ar e full y att e n d e d t o .

M e an whi l e tw o o f h e r e ld e r sis t e r s e n t e re d th e

co n v e n t o f S C l are at M e r c at e llo wh ic h circum
.
,

s tan c e sh e wri t e s i n a m e d m y l o n gi n gs so that I
, , ,

h a d no p e a c e It wa s n o t so muc h that I b e wa il e d
.

th e i r d e p art u r e bu t that I fe ar e d th e r e wa s no p r osp e c t

,

o f m y foll o w i n g th e ir e x a mpl e I r e c o mm e nd e d m y.

c a s e t o o ur L o rd ; bu t as y e t t h e d o o r s e e m e d more

than ever cl o s e d again s t m y d e sire I wa s d e e pl y .

a fflic t e d an d b e c am e so sad that I e xp e ct e d s o m e

,

gr e at sick n e s s t o b e fall m e a s r e all y c am e t o p a ss
, .

S h e wa s tak e n ill o f a m al a d y so s t ran g e that th e

p hy sici an s w ere u n abl e t o u n d e r s tan d i t n o r c o uld ,

th e y discov e r an y e fci e n t r e m e d y T h is might w e ll .

b e t h e c a s e fo r i t wa s a c o mpl ai n t m o r e o f t h e
,

min d th an of th e bod y S o m e s e rv an t s of th e e s ta .

bl i sh m e n t gu e ssi n g h o w th i n gs w e r e b eg an o n e d ay t o
, ,

talk t o h er abou t nuns at wh ic h he r spirit s imme ,

d iat el y ros e S he pr e s e n tly r elaps e d in t o her usu al

.
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 37

lan gu i d s tat e an d wa s a ga in r e viv e d by me ans of th e

,

s am e c o n v e rs at io n T h is happ e n e d s e v e r a l tim e s so
.
,

that h er fath e r c am e t o b e i n fo rm e d of i t H e i n .
,

ord e r t o ga in t im e compromis e d th e m att e r b y co n s e n t

,
.

i n g that applic at i o n for h e r a dmissio n s h o u ld b e m a d e

at tw o diffe r e n t r e ligi o us h ous e s t h e n a m e s o f wh ic h are
,

n o t sp e ci e d i n t h e pr o c e ss of h e r c a n o n izat i o n T his .

p e rmissi o n wa s n o s o o n e r o b tai n e d a nd m a d e kno w n

,

t o th e h ol y m aid e n t h e c h o ic e b e twee n t h e tw o c o n
,

ven t s b e in g l e ft t o h e r o wn s e l e c t i o n than sh e r alli e d,

a s i t w ere fr o m t h e bri n k of t h e gr a v e r o s e fro m h e r ,

b e d an d imm e di at e l y r e c o v e r e d p e r fe c t h e al th
,
.

Aft e r th is e ve ry th o ught o f t o rm e n t in g h e r o n t h e
subj e c t ought t o ha v e b e e n l aid a sid e fo r e v e r Never .

t h e l e ss o n e o f h e r tw o sis t e rs wh o w e r e a b o u t t o b e
cl o th e d in th e abov e m e n ti o n e d co n v e n t at M e rc at e ll o
-
,

wa s i n s tig at e d b y h e r fath e r t o p e rsu a d e Ursul a i f ,

possibl e t o con t e mpl at e m arri ag e Bu t th e l att e r

,
.
,

with a n air of e x tr e m e displ e a su re r e prov e d he r i n ,

t h e follo w i n g s e v e r e w o rds I wa rn y ou t o say no

more on th e m att e r I f y ou i n sis t on pursuin g the
.

subj e c t y ou w ill s e e me n o more An d y ou a s a.

r e ligious s h ould b e a s ha m e d t o c h oose suc h a th eme

for conv e rs at io n an d o n e so co n trary t o t h e s e n t im e n t s
,

of S C l ar e wh o e xh ort e d h e r sis t e r t o e n te r r e ligio n

.
, ,

no t t o e ngag e in th e v an i t i e s o f t h e w orld Wh en .

h e r fath e r h e ard th is h e s e e m e d at l e n g th full y c o n

,

vi n ce d an d ag a i n gr a n t e d h is d a ught e r the p e rm i ssion

,

f o r wh ic h sh e sigh e d .

I n jus t ic e t o t h e c ha ra c t e r of th is g e n tl e m an wh o ,

c e rta in ly t r an sgr e ss e d l e gi t im at e boun ds in t h us t ry i n g

t h e voc at i o n of h is c h ild w e m ay b e p e rmi tt e d t o
,

m ak e a bri e f digre ssi o n fo r t h e purpos e of m e n t io n i n g

hi s subs e qu e n t co n t ri t ion for th e cours e h e t ook

,
38 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

wh ich re p e n tan c e h e s e al e d b y a t rul y Chris ti an d e ath .

O u r d o i n g so w ill m ak e our n arr at iv e mor e cl e a r ,

a n d b e p e culi ar l y a cc e p tabl e t o o u r S a i n t fo r s h e ,

wa s c ar e ful t o ha nd do wn t o us t h e r e c o r d of i t i n
h e r w ri t i n gs It w ill b e s een from th e a ccoun t wh ic h
.

i s h e re subj o in e d that th is c han g e i n h is vie w s mus t

b e attr ibu t e d t o t h e z e a l a nd p ray e rs O f hi s s ai n t l y
d aug ht e r . Sh e ha d O bs e rv e d t h e w o r ldli n e ss o f h is
life an d wa s p ar t icul ar l y p ain e d b y h i s dise d ifyi n g
,

c o n duc t at Pi a c e n za w i th r e g a rd t o h is d a ug ht e rs .

O ft e n sh e fe l t moved t o ven tu re o n s o me r e m o n
s tr an c e,
b u t wa s r e s trai n e d b y li al r e sp e c t so that ,

sh e never d r o pp e d mo r e tha n a fe w g e n tl e h i n t s .

O ne d ay h o w e v e r wh en h e wa s e n tr e at in g h e r
, ,

t o giv e up t h e ide a o f b e in g a nun duri n g h is

l ife t im e sh e fe l t m o v e d b y an e x t r a o r d i n a ry impuls e
,

t o r e ply : I f I b e com e a r e ligi o us n o w yo u at t h e ,

m o m e n t o f d eath w ill b e sp ared t h e th o ught of

havin g r e fus e d m e Si n c e w e hav e t im e no w l e t us
.
,

n o t c o u n t up o n i t th e n Th e a ffairs o f th is life p a s s lik e

.

t h e w i n d an d at t h e h o ur o f y our dep ar t ure h ence

,

y o u w ill e n jo y gr e at p e a c e if y o ur s o ul ha s been dul y

r vid d f bu t that is a m att e r i n wh ic h m y
p o e o r , p re

s e n c e could no t h e lp y ou No w that y ou have t im e.

,

c o n sid e r what is t h e du ty o f a fai th ful Chris ti an ,

n am e l y t o m a k e a g o od c o n fe ssio n
,
A t th e s e w o rd s
.

h is c o u n te n an c e c han g e d an d h e a sk e d : Why d o
,

y o u sp e a k t o me th us 2 U r sul a a n s w e re d : B e

c au s e I fe e l i n spir e d t o do so I n fa c t i t w as a l o n g
.

t im e sin c e h er fath e r ha d b e e n t o co n fe ssi o n N o t .

l o n g aft e r th is co n v e rs at i o n h e app r o a ch e d t h e s a cr e d
t ribu n al and wh e n e v e r h is d a ug ht e r sugg e s t e d som e
,

h ol y m ax im t o his mi n d h e wa s e vid e n t ly t ou c h ed b y
,

a fe e lin g of compunc tion O n h e r r et urn t o M e rcat e llo

.
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 39

sh erepro a c h ed h e rs e lf s e v e r e l y for n o t havin g sp o k e n

m o r e pl ain ly tha n sh e ha d do n e an d sh e w ro t e hi m ,

a l e tt e r i n wh i c h sh e d e cl a r e s that sh e did h er b e s t
,

a ccordi n g t o h e r k n o w l e dg e of h i s spiri t u al n e c e s
s i ti e s No t lo n g a fte r wa rds wh en sh e ha d e n t e r e d re
.
,

l igio n h e c ame from Pi a c e n z a t o C i tt a di Ca s te llo t o

,

visi t h e r an d d e cl a r e d tha t h e r w ords ha d e xci t e d

,

h im t o le a d a Chris ti a n life c o n cl u di n g b y th us
,

app e a li n g t o h e r D e a r c h ild t o y ou I commi t th e
,

c ar e o f m y soul l e t i t b e y o ur e n d e av o ur t o a ssis t me
i n life an d a ft e r de ath S h e g a v e h im t h e r e quir e d .

promis e wh ic h sh e fa i thfull y a nd fe rve n tly full l e d

,
.

A fe w y e ars a ft e r th is i n t e rvi e w Al m ig hty God ,

s h o w ed h e r i n a d r e a m b y nig ht h e r fath e r d an g e rousl y

i l l a nd th i s s o al ar m e d th e h ol y d a ug ht e r that sh e
,

ar os e an d e a rn e s tl y r e comm e n d e d h im t o our L ord .

Th e follo w i n g nig ht sh e b e h eld h im in h is l a s t

a go n y sh or t l y a fte r wh ic h h e e xpir e d
,
Whe n .

s h e r e l at e d th e s e ci r cums tan c e s t o th e nuns th e y ,

a dvis e d h e r t o co n sid e r i t all a s a w ork of th e

im agi n at io n ; a nd sh e was p ar tl y dispos e d t o c o in
c id e w i th th e ir O pi ni o n be c ause sh e ha d v e ry
,

l at e l y r e c e iv e d l e tt e rs from h im S till sh e cou l d n o t

.

thr o w o ff t h e impre ssi o n o f what sh e ha d s e en an d ,

fr om t i m e t o t im e sh e w e p t bitt e rl y fe e lin g a s s he , ,

t rul y e xpr e ss e d i t that h e r h e ar t wa s burs t i n g w i th

,

gri e f ; a nd h e r visi o n s prov e d corre c t for e re lo n g

, ,

t h e ne w s arriv e d an d i t w as kno w n
, .
that he r
fath e r ha d di e d a ft e r a sh or t illn e ss at th e pre
c is e mom e n t that sh e ha d w i t n e ss e d h is dece a se i n h e r

s lumb e rs S h e b e g a n with ou t d e l ay t o o ffe r m an y

.

pray e rs for t h e r e p o s e of hi s s o ul an d o ur L ord

.
,

v o uch s afe d t o h e a r h e r Sh e wa s rs t p e rmitte d t o

.

b eh o l d h im in a p la c e so d a rk an d fea rful th at sh e
40 . s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

d oub t e d wheth e r i t w ere n o t h e ll it s e lf ; bu t thinkin g

that th is ide a was sugge s t e d b y th e d e vil sh e pr ay ed ,

fo r h im the more T h e n h e t urn e d t o look at h e r fr om

.

t h e mids t of h is to rmen t s an d s e e m e d t o pronounce ,

th e s e w o rds It r e s t s w i th th e e t o ob tai n m e r c y fo r
,

m e i A s m ay b e co n c e iv e d sh e did n o t sp ar e h e r s e lf
,
.

A ft e r p e rfo rmi n g a numb e r of pen an c es a nd p ray e rs ,

sh e b e h e ld h im a g a i n an d n o w h is suffe r i ngs w er e
,

gre atl y all e vi at e d Th e pious d aught e r c o n t in uin g h er

.

su ffrag e s o n h is b e h alf ou r L o rd o n e d ay wa s pl e a s e d
,

t o say t o h e r T ak e comfo rt fo r on t h e fe a s t Of S
, ,
.

C l are I w il l d e liv e r thy fath e r s soul fr o m i t s p r e s e n t

abod e Of p ain bu t if t h o u w o ulds t ha ve i t t o b e so

, ,

th ou o n thy p a r t mus t su ffe r much S h e willi n gl y .

O ff e r e d h e rs e lf t o endure all and s e v e r e l y did sh e ,

p e n an c e h e rs e lf t o pr o cur e h im s o l a c e O n th e fe a s t .

of S C l are sh e s aw that h e w as s t ill i n purg at ory

.
, ,

bu t n o l o n g e r in t h e s am e pl a c e o f e xt r e m e suf
fe rin g . H e r persever ance i n pr ay er at length i n
d u c e d our L ord t o a s sure h er t hat h e r fath e r
sh ould b e lib e rat e d al t oge th e r o n t h e comi n g fes
t iv al O f t h e N at ivi ty It is th us that sh e r e l at e s
.

th e ev en t . On C h ris t m a s n ight I saw h im i n
purgat ory an d in a mom e n t a n an g e l s e e m e d t o
,

t a ke h im th e n c e b y th e han d ; an d I b e h e ld m y
fath e r i n th e s am e form an d app e ar a n c e that h e ha d
poss e ss e d in life an d c l o th ed in W h i t e
,
H e ao .
~

cos t ed m e and than k e d me fo r all t h e c hari ty I h ad

,

s h o wn h im Sudd e n ly h e appe ared t o be c o me e n

.

v e l o p e d in r a di an c e an d h is hu m an gur e could
,

b e dis t i n gu is h e d no mor e I n c o m p an y w i th t h e
.

an g e l h e van i sh e d a nd I u n d e rs t ood that th e m o s t

'
,

h ol y Virgi n ha d ob tain e d th is favour fo r me o n

th is s a cre d n ig ht I wa s con rm e d in th is ide a
.
42 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

s h ould b e o n e o f t h e s t ric t e r order of r e ligious .

H avi n g h e ard m u c h pra ise of th e m o n a s t e ry of Ca pu

c h i n n u n s at C i tt a di Ca s t e llo s h e i n form e d h e r ,

family that sh e w ish e d t o m ake i t h e r c h o ic e al ,

th oug h in th e h ou s e o f S C l ar e i n t h e ci ty o f M e r .

c at e llo h e r bi rth pl a c e sh e ha d al r e a d y t hree sis t e r s

,
-
,

i n r e ligi o n n a m e l y Sis t e r M ary R o s e S i s t er A nn a

, ,

M ari a a n d Sis t e r L o uis a of wh o m sh e was e x

, ,

t re m e l y fo nd H avi n g writt en t o h e r fath e r o n t h e

.

subj e c t sh e re c eived fo r a n s w er that i n t h i s a ls o

,

s h e s h o uld b e gr at i e d Her un c le a c c o rdingl y t o o k

.

h e r t o C itt a di Ca s t e llo t hat sh e mig ht a sk a d m i s ,

s ion i n t o th e a b o v e m e n t io n e d c o n v e n t fr o m i t s e c cl e
-

s i ast i cal sup e ri o r t h e bis h o p wh o w as no o th er tha n ,

M o nsign or Gius e pp e S e b a s t i an i a m an o f suc h dis ,

t i n gu i sh e d s a n c t i t y that t o th is d ay h is n a m e is n ever
,

m e n t i o n e d in t h e dio c ese w i th ou t t h e t i tle of V ener

a bl e b e i n g p r e x e d t o i t .

W h en Ursul a an d h e r uncle ha d been pr e s e n t e d t o .

h is lordsh ip an d wh en t h e w ish e s of th e form e r

ha d been e xpr e ss e d t h e bis h op i n fo rm e d th em that

,

t h e r e wa s n o v a c a n c y i n that p ar ticul a r conven t t h e ,

l a s t havin g been jus t ll e d b y th e a dmissi o n o f a

y ou n g w om a n of t h e ci ty wh o wa s a ft e r wards c all e d ,

in r e ligion S ist er C l ar e F e lix P o or Ursul a wa s dis .

c o n sol at e at th is r e pl y an d ha vi n g no o th e r al t e rn a
,

t iv e t o propos e sh e t o o k h er dep a rt ure Bu t wh ile

,
.

t h e y w e r e d e sc e n di n g th e s t eps of th e p al a c e sh e ,

fe l t mov e d b y som e inuence from ab o ve t o r e qu e s t

he r un cle t o r e turn w i th h er t o th e bish op s pre

s e n ce
. B e i n g ag a in a dm i tt ed t o an audi e n c e t h e ,

y o u n g girl t h re w h e rs e lf o n h e r kn e e s b e for e hi s
lordsh ip an d w i th th e mos t humbl e ye t fe rv e n t e n
, ,

t re at i e s conj ure d h im t o g r a n t h er th e conso lat io n sh e

 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 43

impl o re d a n d th is sh e did so e ffe c t u ally that t h e

good bis h op wa s p e rsu a d e d t o m ak e a n e xc e p t i o n
i n h e r fa vour b y c o nceding t h e b o o n sh e a sked .

He th en pu t s e v e r a l q u e s t io n s t o h e r i n quiri n g ,

a m o n g o t h er th i n gs if sh e could r ea d L at i n H e r .

u nc le r e pli e d that sh e could n o t bu t Ursul a i n

, ,

c i t ed b y som e e x tr a o rdin ar y impuls e an d b y a ,

liv e l y c o ndence i n G o d t ook a br e vi ar y ou t o f

,

h is lordsh ip s ha nd an d re a d a l o ud from i t w i th

,

m a s t e rly e a s e an d p r e cisi o n in a m a nner wh ic h sh o w ed

,

that sh e u n d e rs t ood th e m e an i n g p e rfe c t l y H e r .

un cle e xcl aim e d in a s t o n is h m e n t T h is is c e rtai n l y

a mir a cle ! And suc h i t r e all y wa s for sh e ha d ,

never l e arn e d L at i n Th e mir a cl e was mor e o v e r a

.

p e rm a n e n t o n e fo r from that t im e sh e wa s al way s

,

able t o r e a d t h e l an gu ag e u e n tly a nd t o qu o te ,

i t w ith in t elligen c e an d a ccur a c y T h e go od prel at e

.

b e in g s t ruck b y th is o ccurr e n c e a nd s t ill more b y th e

,

r are innocence an d Vir tue app ar en t i n h er r e pli e s ,

pr o mis e d t o ob ta i n wh at sh e d e sire d fro m ,

t h e n u n s ; an d th en dismiss e d the gr at e ful Ursul a .

He present l y w en t t o th e co n v e n t an d by h is re pre
,

s e n t at i o n s of th e v a lu abl e a c q uisi t ion wh ic h th is

n e w pos t ul an t w o uld prove t o t h e commu n i ty th e ,

r e ligi o us w ere all i n duc e d t o a cc e p t h e r a l th o ug h ,

b y so doin g th e y w ould e xc e e d t h eir p re sc rib e d

number .

A s s o on a s t h e d ay a rri v e d wh e n th e q u e s t i o n of
h e r admission was t o be fo r m a lly propos e d in cha p t e r ,

o ur S a i n t r e p air e d t o th eir c h urc h t o awa i t th e re

s ul t
. T h e y ou n g p e rso n w e have al r e a d y m e n t io n e d
a s h av ing ob tai n e d th e v a c an c y a fe w d ay s b e fo re ,

wa s lik e wis e ther e a s t h e b allo t was t o decide

,

h e r l o t al so on t h e pr e s e n t occ asion F rom h e r s tate

.
44 s . VERONIC A GIULIANI .

m e n t w e le arn t h e fo l lo wing p ar ticul ars Ursul a -

ha vi n g pros t rat e d h e rs e lf in pr ay er mos t e a rn e s t l y ,

supplic at e d h er h e avenl y Sp o us e t o a cc o mplish he r

a rden t d e si r e s Ere l o n g t h e n e ws a rriv e d that th e y
.

w e re bo th a cc e p t e d an d soo n t h e fath e r c o n fe ssor

,

c a me t o th e a l ta r an d inve st ed Ursul a w i t h t h e s a cred

cord a ft e r th e cus t o m o f th e h o us e We w ill r e fe r

, .

t o t h e t es timony wh ic h h er com p ani o n d e pos e d o n

o ath i n th e p r o c e ss o f c an o n i zat i o n in ord e r t o fo r m
a n id e a of t h e e xc e ss of j o y an d r ap ture in t o wh ic h

t h e S a in t wa s th ro w n o n th is occ a si o n Aft e r .

w e ha d r e c e iv e d no tice o f our a cc e p tan c e sh e d e ,

cl ar e s ,
a nd wh en t h e fath e r c o n fe ssor ha d given us
t h e c o rd w e t w o r e m ai n e d a l o ne in th e c h urc h t o
,

t ha nk o u r L o rd fo r th e gr a ce He ha d th us b e s t o w e d
o n us ; bu t a s I kne w that t h e mo th er abb e ss a n d

t h e r e ligi o us w ere wa i t i n g fo r us at t h e c o mmu n i o n

grat e I wa s jus t g o in g t o i n vit e th e Sign o ra U r sul a t o
,

a ccomp an y m e wh en I b e h e ld h er r avis h ed in a n
,

e cs ta s y s o th at sh e w a s u tt erl y u n co n sci o us o f m y
,

pr e s e n c e ; an d a l th o ug h I att e m p t e d s everal t im es t o
shake h e r an d us e d fo rc e t o dr a w h e r away sh e did
, ,

no t feel i t at all So I fe ll o n m y knee s at h e r side

.
,

an d l e t h er alo n e Th e r e ligious k n o wi n g n o th in g
.
,

of th is an d be i n g un able t o con c e iv e th e r e a son for so

,

lo n g a del ay s e n t o n e o f th e l ay sis t e rs wh o s e rv e
,

ou t sid e t o i n fo r m th e p o s t ul an t s that t h e mo th e r
abb e ss was wai ti n g for th e m at th e grat e T h en .

Ursul a c am e t o h e r s e lf an d w en t w i th h e r c o m
p an io n t o an s we r th e summ o n s : an d th e s aid

Sign o r a c o n t in u e s t h e d e posi t io n
,
m an ife s t e d suc h
,

e x tr e m e delig ht at being n o w a cc e p t e d a s a r e ligi o us ,

that i t wa s e vid e n t h er h e ar t was i n a s tat e of j ubil a ~

t io n. T h is happ e n e d on th e 1 7 th of Jul y in the ,
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 45

ar 1 67 7 b e for e sh e ha d comp le t e d h er s e v e n t e en th
ye

y e ar .

Th e d e vil b e i n g en vious o f suc h happi n e ss a s h e rs

lO st n o t im e in t roubling h er p e a c e ; an d G o d
p e rmi tt e d that i t s h o u ld be so fo r t h e purpos e o f
t e s ting th e d e li ty o f His s e rv a n t an d r e n in g h e r ,
'

vir tue At o n e t im e t h e ar ch e n d w ould dr aw a

.
-

pic t ur e before h e r e y e s o f t h e r e ligio us s tat e wh ic h h e ,

p ai n t e d i n th e bl a c kes t col o urs r e pr e s e n t i n g i t a s a ,

life of d e sp air at an o th e r t im e h e w ould r e c all t o h er

min d th e num e r ous y oung g e n t l e m e n wh o ha d d e sir e d
h e r in m a rri ag e a nd t h e a dv a n tag e ous o ffe rs w hi c h
,

sh e h ad r ej e c t e d : an d th e n ag a i n h e w ou l d e mbi tt e r ,

h e r d e light in pr ay e r b y infu sing in t o h e r so u l

fe e li n gs o f i n supp o r tabl e w e a rin e ss I n s h ort i t .
,

s e e m e d a c c o rding t o h e r o wn e xpr e ssio n a s th oug h

, ,

all t h e p o w e r s o f h ell ha d been l e t l o o s e up o n

h er ; bu t sh e co n t i n u e s
,
I w ould y ield t o n o ne,

o f th e m Som e t im e s wh en I fe l t mor e ha ra ss e d tha n

.

usu al I r e t ir e d t o m y c ha mb e r a lo n e a nd relieved
, ,

m y s e lf fo r awhile w i th our L o rd b y l aying th e m att er

b e fo r e Him I pr ay e d t o Him asked H is gr a c e an d
.
, ,

impl o re d H i m never t o le ave m e I s a id t o H i m in .

a l l co n d e n c e L o rd T h o u kn o w e s t that I a m T hy
, ,

Sp o us e ; gran t that I m ay never be s e p ar at e d from

T h e e I r e sig n m y s e lf n o w an d for ever in t o Thy
.

ha nds beh old I a m r e a d y for a ll tha t i t is T hy Will

t o appoin t I a m Th ine I a m T hi n e an d that is
.

e n o ug h for m e Al mighty G o d W h o permi tt ed ,

th e s e t ri a ls fo r h er gr e at e r m e r i t d e ign e d fre que n tl y ,

t o en courag e h er b y m e an s of a n in t erior voic e wh ic h

s a id t o h e r : B e comfor t e d for th ou art Mi n e It
,
.

is My Wil l that th ou s h oulds t su ffe r a nd s truggl e ,

b u t fe ar no t An d th us s t r e n g the n e d b y the po we r
.
46 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

of divin e gra c e ,
th e h oly m a id e n re sis te d th e atta ck s
of th e t e mp t e r .

C H APTER VIII .

H ER CLOTHING . DECEITS OF TH E DEVIL DURIN G

H E R NOVICIATE .

AT l e n gth th e w ish e d fo r day arr iv e d wh e n th is sain tl y

-

virgin wa s p e rmi tt e d t o displ ay h e r c o n t em p t for

.

t h e w o r ld b y e n cl o si n g h e rs e lf in t h e g arden o f
,

h e r h e a v e n l y Sp o us e It w as o n th e 2 8th o f.

O c t ob e r th e fe a s t of t h e h o l y apos t l e s S Simo n and

, .

S Jud e th ree mo n th s aft e r t h e c erem o n y of h e r

.
,

fo rm al a dmissio n T h e bish o p M o n sign o r S e b a s

.
,

t i an i g av e h e r t h e r e ligi o us habi t an d d e liv e r e d

, ,

a n i n t e r e s t in g an d d e vou t a dd r e ss T hr ough o u t th e .

wh ole of thi s s a cr e d fu n c t ion t h e y oung c an did at e

fo r t h e v e il app e ar e d abs o rb e d i n God ; a n d h e r
e n t ir e d e port m e n t wa s c hara c t e ris e d b y c h e e rful
n ess a nd d e vo ti o n t og e th e r w ith su c h an air o f
,

h e av e n l y mod e s ty as w ell be c ame t h e t ru e sp o us e o f

Chris t E v e ry one pr e s e n t was d e e pl y t o u c h ed and
.

wh en th e bish o p comm e n d e d h e r t o th e abb e ss Sis t e r ,

M ary G e r trud e A l biz z in i h e p r o n o u n c e d this prop h e c y

,

i n an u n d e r t o n e : I p articul arly rec o mmend t o yo u
th is n e w d a ught e r fo r sh e w ill o n e d ay become a
,

gre at s ain t It wa s o n th is occ a si o n that a ccording
.
,

t o cus t o m h er b ap t ism a l n am e wa s e xchan g e d for that

,

of Ve ron ic a b y whi c h app e ll at i o n we s hall h e n c e fo r

,

ward dis tin guis h h er : i t s e e m e d t o b e a pr e s ag e of

th at t e n d e r an d e sp e ci a l d e vo ti on b y wh i c h sh e wa s
h e r e afte r t o b e atta che d t o th e P a s sion of J e sus Sh e .
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 47

S p e n t t h e wh ole d ay i n a n e cs ta s y of j o y t o wh ic h sh e ,

g ave u tt e r an c e b y r e p e at in g th e words No w I a m ,

happ y n o w I a m happ y 1
,

Sis t er T e r e s a R is t o ri wh o wa s d e sc e n d e d from a
,

nobl e F loren t ine famil y wa s at that t ime m istre ss o f

'

t h e novic e s sh e aft e r wa rds be c a me a bb e ss an d was a ,

r e ligi o us of gr e at virt ue It wa s u n der h e r dir e c t i o n

.

that Ve ro n ic a comm e n c e d h er n ovici at e Th is n un ha d .

alre a d y t h ree o f h e r o wn sis t e rs a s c o m p anions in r e li

gio n o n e of wh om was t h e Sis t e r C l are F e lix m e n

t i o n e d abov e t h e s e co n d wa s c a lled S is t er Diomir a

, ,

an d th e th ird w as a l ay sis t er Gi a cin ta Our , .

S ain t g av e h e rs e lf up fro m t h e rs t t o th e mos t

scrupulous pra c tice o f p e rfe c t i o n and i t wa s r e m ark e d
,

that even on th e rs t night al th o ugh sh e was disp e ns e d

,

fro m att e ndin g c h o ir sc arc e l y ha d sh e h e ard t h e

,

rs t s t roke of th e b e ll than sh e sp ran g ou t of b e d an d ,

r e p air e d w ith t h e o th e r s t o m at i n s T h e re wa s n o .

d an ge r that sh e w ould e v e r r e quir e mor e tha n th e

rs t sign al fo r ob e di e n c e S h e wa s pun c t u a l at all
.

t h e e x e rcis e s o f t h e novici at e volu n taril y u n d e r

,

taking al l t h e w orks of th e con v e n t full of th e ,

h ighe s t d e vo t ion an d m o rti c ati o n s t ri c t in obs e rvin g,

sil e n c e gen t le i n conv e rs at ion h umbl e a nd pl e a s a nt

, ,

t o wards a ll With ou t bein g in th e l e as t irri tat ed o r

,

ru f e d b y an y occurr e nc e h o w e v e r un t o ward An d
, .

th us th e r e ligious bega n very s h ortl y t o agree w i th

t h e h ig h opi n io n wh ic h t h e bis h op e n t e r ta in e d a s t o
h e r fu t ure s an c t i ty .

Am o n g all t h e vir t ues pr a c t is e d b y th e h oly novice ,

that whic h wa s p e culi ar l y w or thy of a dmirat i o n

'

at th is e arl y s tag e of h e r c are e r a s being a sure ,

fo un d at ion fo r r e ligious p e rfe c ti o n wa s h er e n ti r e ,

submission t o h er spirit u a l dir e c t ors T h is wa s a .

 48 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

p oin t o n wh ic h sh e ha d been d e fe c t iv e a s a s e cular ;

for a s sh e h e rs elf a dmi tt e d sh e ha d n e v e r s aid o n e
, ,

w ord t o h e r co n fe ssor b e y o n d th e avo wa l o f h er faul ts

, ,

h o w e v e r s light th e y m ay ha ve b e e n an d ha d m ade no,

m en t i o n what e v e r o f th e sup e rn at u ra l gif ts wh ic h sh e

s o fr e q u e n t l y e nj o y e d n o r o f th ose spiri t u al t roubl e s
,

w i th wh ich th e d e vil ha d d o n e h is b e s t t o agi tate h e r

min d fo r sh e ha d fel t s atis e d w i th th e t e s t im o n y of
,

a g o o d co n sci e n c e Bu t sh e ha d n o s o o n e r e n t e r e d
.

r e li gi o n tha n h e r soul wa s ill umin at e d by cl e ar e r l ight ,

a n d sh e b e c am e co n sci o us o f th e v ar i o us d an g e r s
wh ic h b e s e t t h e p ath of p e rfe c t ion fo r th ose wh o guide
th emselves th e r e in b y th eir o wn j udgm e n t H e n c e .

s h e was in th e habi t o f h o ldi n g long c o n fe r e n c e s w i th

h e r dire c t ors in wh i c h sh e disclos e d t o th em w i th

,

t h e mos t scrupul o us a ccu ra c y an d mi n u t e n e ss e v e r y

th i n g wh ic h t o o k pl a c e i n h e r in t e r i o r wh e th e r f o r ,

g ood or evil ; f o r sh e s t o o d as muc h o n h e r gu a rd

a g a in s t c e l e s t i a l c o mmu n ic at io n s an d Visi o n s a s s h e

d i d a g ai n s t m an ife s t t e mp tat i o ns u n t il sh e ha d su b
,

m it t e d th em t o th e sc r u t i n y o f h er spiri tu a l guid e s .

T h i s p ra c tic e wa s p art icul arl y displ e a sin g t o t h e

e v il o n e a s h e p e rc e iv e d
,
that all h o pe was thus
e xclud e d o f h is being able t o i n u e n c e h e r b y me a ns

o f decep t ive illusio n s He a cc o r din gl y c o n trive d a

.

pl a n fo r strikin g at th e r o o t o f all He t o o k a d .

v a n tag e Of a n o pp o rt u n ity wh ic h o ccu rr e d a nd a s

.
,

sumed th e fo rm an d appe ar ance o f t h e mis t re ss o f th e

n ovic e s f o r t h e pu r p o s e of g a ining h is obj e c t
, Ve .

ro nic a wa s al o ne in h e r cell wh en sh e h e ard a tap at

t h e door T h in kin g that i t was th e a ccus t om e d sign a l
.

of h e r mis tr e ss s Vi si t sh e s aid imm e di at e ly C om e
,

,

A s soo n as t h e suppos e d n u n ha d e n t e r e d our

in .
,

S ain t be g an t o fe el ext r e m ely uncomfortab le so muc h ,

50 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

t ru e I w ill e n d e av o ur t o c o rr e c t m y c o nduc t an d if
.
,

th e y ar e fals e t ru th w ill a sser t i t s right s A s for m e

, .
,

l et th e m say what th e y w ill i t c anno t al t e r th e c o n

,

d e n c e I hav e in h im . Ou r L ord ha s given m e gr a c e

t o d e cl ar e t o h im w h at e v e r p a sses w i th in m e a nd ,

t h is pr a c t ic e I in t end t o c o n t inue for th e fu t ur e .

A b e tt e r repl y V eronic a c o uld n o t ha v e giv e n nor ,

c a n w e im agin e o n e m o re c alcul at e d t o co n fo u n d
t h e d e vil : in fa c t t h e p r e t e n d e d mis t r e ss o f t h e
n ovic e s wa s eviden tl y p e rpl e x e d .B u t as h e did
no t de sp air of vic t o ry in t h e e n d h e t old h e r that
,

s h e mus t n e v e r go t o h e r c o n fe sso r no t e v e n for t h e

,

S a cr am e n t of Pen a n c e excep t in c a s e of n e c e ssi ty su c h

, ,

a s wh en th e r e wa s an yth in g o n h er min d wh ich w ould

h in d e r h e r fr o m c o mmu n ic at in g bu t that a s r e ligious
ha d s e ldom an yth in g v e ry gr a ve t o co n fe ss Ve ro n ic a ,

m ig ht av ail h e rs e lf O f t h e p e rmissio n wh ic h wa s n o w

g iven h e r o n c e fo r a ll t o go t o h o l y C ommu n io n w i th
,

ou t appro a ch in g th e s a cr e d tribun al .

Th us did S at a n prolong h is discours e t o t h e e xt re m e

,

dis tr e ss o f th e h o l y n o vic e t o wh ose mind suc h subj e c t s

,

w ere alt og e th e r fo r e ign ; h o w ever sh e r e s t r ain e d h er

s e lf an d wait ed fo r fu rth e r e xpl an at ion s Th e t e mp t e r
,
.

r e sumed w i th a co n d e n t i a l a ir I mus t t e ll y ou
that y e s t e r d ay e v e n in g y ou w ere th e s o l e subj e c t of
c o n v e rs at i o n in th e in rm ary ; all t h e sis t e rs are
gre atl y sc an d alis e d ; th e y w o uld n e v e r have t h o ught
o f su c h a th i n g .I re ally a m a sham e d t o men tion i t
t o y ou bu t i t i s s a id that b e twe e n y ou a nd y our c o n
,

fe sso r t h ere ha s gro w n up so clos e a friend s hip that

f rom i n t im a c y o n spiri t u a l m att e rs y ou ha v e gone s o
fa r as t o t ouc h th e verge o f sin It is sa id mor e ove r
.
, ,

that th e c ase i s so agra n t that i t m ay pl ea s e G od t o

 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 51

aus e y ou bo th t o b e pu t under severe p en anc e B ut

c .

a s th is w ould b e : a v e r y gre at dis h o n our t o r e ligi o n ,

I have t ri e d t o h us h up the m att er b y s ay i n g tha t I

w oul d se ttle i t all wi th yo u an d t h e bes t r e m e dy
that I c a n th ink of is that yo u s h o u ld hav e no mor e

i n t e rvi e ws : an d as t o th e s tat e o f y our soul s t rive ,

t o conduc t y ourself like ordin ary p e rson s an d keep ,

things t o y o urs e lf T a k e c are n o t t o m e n tio n o n e

.

w ord of what I ha ve t old y ou e i th e r t o y our or di n a ry

,

or y our e x tra ordi n ary dir e c t or I also pu t y ou under.

o bedien c e n e v e r a g a in t o recur t o th e subj e c t e v e n

w i th m e for I fe e l i t t o be a n e x tr e m e l y hara ssin g

,

a n d dis agr e e abl e busi n e ss I th e r e for e s t ric tly e nj oin

.

y ou t o abs tain from an y allusi o n s t o i t in yo ur fu t ur e

i n t e rcours e w ith m y s e lf ; an d if y ou c ompl y wi th th is
r e qu e s t I shall feel sur e that yo u w ill obe y me i n no t
,

br e ath in g o n e syll abl e of what ha s p a ss e d t o y our

co n fe ssor .

I w ill say no th ing t o an y o n e e ls e r e pli e d Ve ,

ro n ic a I w ill only s e n d for h is l o rds h ip an d i n form ,

h im o f all that ha s p a ss e d b e tw e e n m y co n fe ssor a nd

m y s e lf H e shall be the j udge o f what I ought t o do
.
,

an d I w ill r e p e at t o him e v e ryth i n g that y o u ha ve t old

m e I a m c e r tai n l y sc an d alis e d that th e sis t e rs s h ould

.

b e c ap ab l e of co n c e ivi n g suc h a bsurd suspicio n s ag a i n s t

so good a s e rv a n t of God ! m e a n in g h er co n fe ssor)
l e t th e m s ay what th e y ple a se o f m e I more tha n ,

d e s e rve th is t ri al Th e pr e t e n d e d n ovic e mis tr e ss b e
.
-

c a m e very a n gr y at this a n s w e r a n d i n dign a n t l y e x

,

cl aim e d I ha ve t old yo u a lr e a dy an d I t ell yo u ag ain

,

that y ou are t o m en t io n th e a ff air t o no o n e To t h e .

bish op ind ee d ! G o d forbid that i t s h ould re a c h h is

e ars ! Do as I ha v e t o l d y ou an d l i ve i n p e ac e
,
.

4

2
52 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

DO n ot go t o h im do n o t conv e rs e w i th h im !th e c o n
,

fe sso r) a nd all w ill be right H a vin g s aid t h is w ith
.

a n air of displ e a sure th e spe aker dep art ed

,
.

At that mome nt t h e bell r an g fo r C omplin e . .

Ve ro n ic a pro c e e d e d w ith ou t del ay t o t h e c h o ir an d ,

.

s e e i n g t h e re a l mis t r e ss of t h e novices o n t h e s ta ir

c ase sh e w o n d e r e d h o w sh e c ould ha v e th us go t
,

b e fore h er : h o w e ve r sh e did n o t d are t o ask bu t ,

fe l t s tr o n gl y i m pelled t o go t o h e r e x t ra o rdi n ary

co n fe ss o r an d rel at e t h e occurr e n c e t o h im Aft e r .

a lo n g s truggl e w i th h e rs e lf sh e r e s o lv e d t o do so .

W h en h e ha d h e ar d h e r accou n t h e th o ught i t ove r

,

fo r a t ime an d susp e c t i n g h o w t h ing s w e r e com

, ,

m an d e d V eronic a t o a ppl y t o h e r mi s t ress an d i n ,

qu ire wh o w ere th e sis t e rs wh o ha d m a de su c h re

m a rks on h e rs e lf an d h e r ordin ary di r e c t or T h e .

n o vic e e xcus e d h e rs e lf b y r e mi n di n g h im th at in

t h e abov e m e n t i o n e d co n v e rs at io n h e r m is t r e s s ha d
-

fo r bidd e n h er e v e r t o recur t o t h e subj e c t Bu t .

t h e prud e n t c o n fe ss o r in order t o fath o m t h e tr u th

, ,

d e sir e d V eronic a t o go t o he r a s usu al and l e a d ,

t h e co n v e rs at io n i n dir e c tl y t o th e c harg e s i n qu e s t i o n .

Th e mis tr e s s of th e n ovic e s n o soo n er h e ard th e rs t

wo r ds o n th e subj e c t than sh e pr o mp tl y an d s eri o usl y

r e pli e d

Pu t all suc h id e a s ou t of yo ur h e a d ; i t
is impossibl e that an y o f t h e sis t e rs c an ha ve s a id
s u c h th i n gs . DO n o t t r o ubl e y o urs e lf for I ha v e
,

never h e ard th e m s ay an ythi n g o f th e s o rt ! Ve
r o n ic a wa s ov e rj o y e d an d r e t urn e d t o h er c o n fe ss o r
,

wi th this i n t e llig e n c e wh i c h c o n vin c e d h im o f t h e

'

di abolic a l fra ud whic h ha d b e e n pra c tis e d o n h er ;

a nd h e e nj oin e d h e r t o m ak e k n o w n t o h e r dir e c t ors
wi th ou t fail e v e ryt h ing that s h ould p a ss in h e r min d .
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 53

H e r mis t r e ss g ave h er a simil a r injunc t ion as soo n ,

a s sh e ha d h e ard t h e wh ole s t o ry ; an d all th is

s t r e n g th e n e d th e h ol y r e solu t io n of our S a in t t o con
c ea l no th ing from h e r spiri t u a l guid e s .

Th e p r i n c e o f d a rk n e ss wa s d ism ay e d at th is mor
t ifyin g o v e rth ro w of h is m a c h in at io n s wh ic h ha d n o w ,

r e c o il e d up o n h ims e lf As h e d e sp a ire d of being abl e

.

t o take away t h e du t iful sin c e rity w i t h wh ic h Ve

ronic a t r e at e d h er co n fe ssors h e r e s o lve d t o so w th e
,

s e e ds of d iscord b e tw ix t h e rs e lf an d h e r mis t r e ss in ,

wh o se po w er i t l ay t o r e n d e r h e r very v alu abl e a ssis t

a n c e in t h e i n t e rior life H e th e r e for e ha d r e cours e
.

t o a s t r atage m w o r thy o f h ims e lf U n d e r th e gu i s e O f

.

our y oung n ovic e h e e n t e r e d th e c e ll o f a r e ligi o us ,

and w ith a co n d e n t i a l a ir pour e d for th m an y i n v e c

t iv e s ag a i n s t th e e xc e ll e n t n ovic e mis tr e ss of wh o m
-
,

h e s aid a ll th e evil that h e possibl y could T he re .

l igi o u s wa s a s t o n ishe d an d c o n sid e r e d i t h e r du ty t o

,

i n fo rm t h e c a lum n i ate d p e rs o n of what h ad happ e n e d ,

as w e ll for h e r o w n d ir e c t io n a s fo r tha t of t h e d e

t ra c t or Th e n ovic e mis tr e ss wh o had n o suspici o n

.
-
,

of t h e d e c e p t io n pr a c t is e d upo n h e r wa s sin c e r e l y ,

grieved pro b abl y n o t s o muc h fo r h e r o wn s ake a s for

,

t hat of th e n o vi c e h e rs e lf of wh om sh e ha d co n c e iv e d
,

a v e ry diffe r e n t opi n ion Wh il e sh e w as d e l i be rat

.

i n g a s t o t h e c o u r s e t o b e pursu e d sh e m a in tai n e d ,

a dis ta n t air t o war ds t h e suppos e d o ffe n d e r r are l y ,

'

e v e n sp e aki n g t o h er ; an d th is s tat e O f th ing s w e n t

on for th ree o r fo u r d ay s Ve ro n ica being sur
.

pris e d at th is c han g e an d n o t kno w ing t o what

,

c aus e t o attribu t e i t a d o p t e d t h e bes t e xp e di e n t

,

in simil a r c a s es Sh e w en t t o h er mis t r e ss wh en
.

t h e l att e r wa s alone i n h e r c ell a nd in the mos t ,

h umble m ann er wi th a d a ug ht e r s cond e nc e r e

- .

,
54 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

q u e s t e d he r t o t ell h e r sincerel y what w e r e th e :

grou n ds of h e r displ e a sure for that i t was h e r gr e a t

,

d e sire t o be m a d e awar e of h er faul t s i n order t hat ,

sh e m ig ht corr e c t th e m T h e good n ovic e mis t r e ss

.
-

th e n t o ld he r fr ankl y what ha d b e e n m e n t i o n e d t o h er .

Ve ro n ic a was b o th a s t o n is h e d an d gri e ve d fo r sh e ha d ,

no t o n l y th e h igh e st e s t e e m bu t t h e m o s t t ender affe c

t io n for this go o d m o th er a nd sh e sol e m n l y d e cl a re d
that such c a lum n i e s ha d never e n t e r e d h e r mind an d ,

that sh e ha d n e v e r s e t fo o t in t h e c ell of an y o n e o f t h e ,

r e ligious Sh e b e gged t o be in fo rm e d of t h e d ay an d
.

t h e h our wh en so sl an d e rous a spee c h wa s supp o s e d t o

ha v e b e e n d e l iv e re d b y h e r O n c o mp arin g n o t e s th e y
:
.

bo th discov e r e d that at th e tim e i n qu e s t io n our S a in t

ha d b e e n in h e r mis tr e ss s room con v e r si n g ab o u t some

,

of h er scruples T h e y were n o w convinced that t h e

.

wh ole affa ir wa s n ei th er mor e n o r l e ss tha n a S ata n ic

decei t th e r e pu tat i o n o f t h e n ovice wa s p e r fe c tl y
cl e ar e d an d t h e b e s t u n d e rs tan di n g o n ce m o re p r e
,
s

v a il e d b e tw e e n h e rs e lf an d h er e xc e ll e n t mis t r e s s .

Th e tw o even t s above r e l at e d are take n from h e r

o wn w ri t i n gs a nd r e l at e d v e r y n e arl y i n h e r o w n

w ords .

T h e e vi l o n e wa s dism aye d at nding h ims e lf th us

for th e se c ond t im e ove rth ro wn b y a simple n ovic e ,

bu t h e beg a n t o atta ck h er ag ain w ith a mul t it ud e Of

t e mp tatio n s H e t ook a dv an tag e o n e d ay Of h e r
.

p hy sic al w e akne s s an d o f t h e s e v e re l abours wh ic h

h e r mis t r e ss imp o s e d upon h e r b y way of e x e r cis e t o ,

sugge s t t o h e r that all th is wa s m o r e than sh e c o uld

be ar an d that sh e ha d b e tt e r d e cl a re a s mu c h open l y or
,

pu t an e n d t o h e r life a nd t o ils at o n ce I t happ e n e d .

t ha t at th is mom e n t sh e wa s summo n e d t o dr a w wat er

for th e in rm ary I w en t th ere v e r y c h e e rfull y sh e

,
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 55

w ri t e s a nd th ought a s I w en t of th e P a ss i o n of o ur
,

Redeemer ; fe e l i n g t hat all th ese hard w orks so fa r ,

fro m h indering t h e applic at io n of m y so ul t o God ,

a ssis t e d m e o n t h e co n tr ary t o rise t o wa rds Him .

S O I wa s w e ll pl e a s e d t o undergo th is sm a ll s uffe ri n g
for t h e love of God .

Bu t wh en I wa s j us t at th e h e a d of t h e s ta irs I fel t ,

m y s e lf pus h ed s o roughl y that I fe l l fro m th e t op t o

t h e bo tt o m w i th tw o pi t c h e rs i n m y ha n ds
,
I wa s a .

good d e a l h ur t bu t m y pi t c h e r s w ere n o t brok e n I

,
.

o n l y l a ugh e d at th ese w ile s o f t h e d e vil wh o w as so ,

an xi o us t ha t I s h ould n o t t ire m y s e lf ; a n d I d e riv e d

fr e s h cour ag e fro m e a c h sp e cim e n o f h is fo o lis h c un

n in g . I e ve n e n tr e at e d our m o th e r t h e mis tr e ss o f th e
n o vic e s that wh e n e v e r sh e ha d an y fatigui n g w ork
,

t o be done sh e w ould imp o s e i t o n me for th e l o ve

,

o f God b e c au s e suc h e mpl o ym e n t s w ere good fo r
,

me .

Bu t wh ile th e devil wa s doing h i s u t mos t t o dis

cou rag e h er in h e r n o ble c areer our L ord wa s pl e a s e d ,

t o comfo r t h e r b y m e a n s of a c e l e s t i a l vis i o n Her .

mi s t res s in ord e r t o gr at ify h e r d e sir e s c o mmis

, ,

s io n e d h er o n a no th e r occ a sio n t o pro vid e wat e r

f o r th e i n rm ary Th e pl a ce wh en c e sh e ha d t o
.

procure i t wa s i n a lo wer s t o r y Ve ro n ic a wh os e .
,

fe rvour knew n o l imi t s ha d c arri e d a s m any a s ,

th i rty pit ch e rs full wh en at l e n gth sh e p aused

,

from e xha us t io n an d p ain ; fo r t h e l ab o ur of goi n g

up a nd d o wn s tairs so m a n y t im e s an d wi th suc h
h e avy burd e n s ha d c a used bl o o d t o s tar t from h e r
h e e ls A s sh e s t ood in th is c o n dition o n th e l an din g
.

pl a c e our Divine R e d e e m e r app e ar e d t o h e r b e ari n g

, ,

th e cross on His s h ould e r an d th us l o vi n gl y ad ,

dr e ss e d h er : B e h o ld th e cross whic h I am c arryi ng
56 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

i t is far h e avier than th i n e ! T h is sight so r e viv e d h er
s piri t s a nd s t re n g t h that sh e fe l t n o th i n g o f t h e
w e ariness wh ic h sh e h ad e xp e r i e n c e d up t o that
momen t .

C H APTER I X .

HER SOLEMN P ROFESSION HER VIRTUE IS STRENGTH-

ENED NOT W ITHSTANDING THE ASSAULTS OF THE

,

DEVIL BY S P ECIAL GRACES W HICH SHE RECEIVES

,

FROM G OD DURING THE EA R LY YEAR S OF HER

RELIGIOUS LIFE .

THR O UGHOUT th e e n t ir e y e ar of h er n o vi c i at e Ve
roni c a h ad given proofs o f such e x al t e d vir tue a nd ,

t h e pro m i s e o f su c h s urp a s sing ex c ellen c e that th e

,

religi o u s did n o t for a mome nt h e sitat e t o a dmi t h er

t o h er s olemn pr o fes si o n S h e wa s a cc o rdingly pro
.

fessed o n th e fe a s t o f A l l S ain t s in th e y e ar 1 6 7 8
, ,

fo ur d ays a ft e r t h e c o m ple t i o n O f h er tw elve mo n th s

n o vi c i at e Al th o ugh in t h e pro c es s o f h e r c an o nizat io n

.
, ,

w e nd no e xpr e ss menti o n m a de of t h e ferv o ur w i th

w h ic h sh e p e rfo r m e d t h is s a cr e d fu n c t io n wh ereb y
,

s h e c o nsumm at ed in th e mos t perfe c t a nd a cc ep ta ble

m an n e r th e s ac ri c e o f h er wh o le being to G o d w e ,

c an e a sil y infer what wa s h er h ol y a rdour o n t h e o c

c a sion no t o nl y fro m t h e e arne st de sires wh ic h sh e

,

ha d c h erish ed fro m th e e arlie st age t o c o n s e c rat e

h e rs e lf unreservedl y t o h e r h e avenl y Spouse b ut ,

also fro m th e s ain tl y di sp o si t ions w i t h wh ic h sh e

ha d prep ared h e rs e lf fo r th is gre at eve nt th rough ou t
th e entire y e ar of h er novici at e and l a s tly from th e
,
58 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

c e ive d l ight an d s tr e n gth wh e re wi th t o a dvan c e s till

h igh er in r e ligious p e rfe c ti o n S h e wri t es th us o f
.

a n anniv e rs ary of h e r pr o fe ssio n In ho ly C o m
muni o n I fou n d m y senses e n r ap t u r e d an d my self ,

abs o rb e d in th e se a of divine l o v e Sp e aki n g o f .

a n o th e r of th e s e an n iv e r s ari e s sh e s ay s Aft e r
,

h o l y C ommu n i o n i t sudd e n ly app e are d t o m e tha t

fro m a s tat e o f r e coll e c t i o n I p a ss e d t o o n e of
r ap t ure . I n o n e m o m e n t t h e soul t h us fa vour e d
b e comes u nit ed t o G o d i n mu tu al love It s e e ms a s .

th o ug h G o d d e i e d th e s o ul ; I kn o w n o t h o w
o th e r wis e t o e xpr e ss i t I b e li e v e that m y s o ul w as
.

s ep ar at ed from m y bod y I a m n o t sure that what I

.

s ay is in t e lligibl e I d o n o t k n o w if I a m talking
.

n o n se n se ; for i t is imp o ssibl e t o d e scrib e what I

th e n fel t I b e li e v e that in that h our m y s o ul w as
.

t rul y e spous e d t o G o d .

I n o rd e r t hat t h e r e a d e r m ay no t susp e c t an y
d e lusi o n o r e xcit e m e n t o f t h e im a gin at io n in th e s e
a cc o u n t s h e shall h e a r h o w Ve r o n ic a co n duc t e d h e r
,

s elf wh en sh e wa s th us e x al t e d i n spi ri t Sh e .

wr i t e s abou t t h e an n iv e rs ary of h e r pr o fe ssion i n

t h e y e a r 1 7 01 T h i s mo r n in g sh o rt ly a ft e r com
:

m u n ic atin g I wa s sudd e n l y i n r ap t ur e an d b e h e ld
, ,

a Vi s i on of our L ord ri s e n fr om t h e d e a d It .

seems t o me that I d e sp i s e d i t as a n inventi o n

of t h e d e vil a nd was rm ly r e solve d t o giv e h im n o
,
.

suc h a dv an tag e o v e r m e bu t r at h er t o d i e t ha n O ffe n d

,

G o d d e siri n g no th i n g bu t t h e a ccomplis hm e n t of H i s
,

h ol y Will I pr ay e d t o Him t o d e liv e r me fro m such

.

d e vic e s Of th e ene m y ; pr o t e s t in g at t h e s am e t im e
t hat I did n o t seek visio n s or c o n sol at i o n s b u t ,

o n l y t o d o t h e Will of G o d a nd t o a void o ffe n d

,

i n g Him Bu t th e vis i on o n l y pre s en t e d i t s e l f

.
 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I . 59

m or e cl e arl y producing w i th in me a sense of com

,

pu n c ti on for m y si n s ag ai n s t God thr o w in g fr e s h ,

light on m y faul t s an d c o n vin cin g me that i t w as

,
.

n o t th e w ork o f S atan bu t that of t h e Al m igh t y

, ,

W h o wa s th us pl e a s e d t o giv e me n e w i n s t ruc t i o n s
in th e p ath o f vir t u e I u n d e rs t o o d i n o n e mom e n t
.
.

b y th is commu n ic ati o n in what m a n n e r e a c h v ir tu e

s h o uld be pr a ct is e d h o w e a c h s h ould be ac c o m
,

n i e d b y d e ta c h m e n t fr o m o urs e lv e s b y fa i th an d
p a ,

h ope in God b y th e e x e rcis e of th e pr e s e n c e of God

, ,

b y p e rfe c t lov e a nd pu r e l y for G o d b y h o l y r e sign a ,

t io n t o t h e Divin e Wi ll b y suc h e n t ir e m o rt i c a ,

t ion that t h e s o ul e nj o y s n o thi n g bu t G o d a lo n e b y ,

c o n s tan t dilig e n c e b y e n d e av o u r s t o avoid t h e n o t ic e

,

o f c r e at ur e s so a s t o be k n o wn b y n o n e bu t G o d b y ,

volun tar il y e mbr a cin g a ll occ a sio n s of b e i n g t r e at e d

c o n t e mp t u o usl y by o th e rs an d b y go i n g r e a dil y wh ere
,

w e are likel y t o be h umbl e d W h e n e ve r w e prae .

t is e an y v ir t u e i t s h ould be a cco m p an i e d b y a ll
,

th e s e th i n gs e sp e ci all y b y t h e gra ce o f h ol y h umi

,

li ty wh ic h r e n d e r s a ll o u r a c t i o n s a c cep t able t o

God .

Th e visio n s an d e c s t a sies of V e r o n ic a w ere i n vari

abl y follo w e d b y th e h ol y frui t s o f c o n t rit i o n h orror ,

fo r si n lov e an d h op e in God e n t ir e r e sig n at io n t o t h e

, ,

divi n e Will de sire for su ffe rin g an d a w illing e n

, ,

du ran c e of every d e scrip t io n of h umili at io n I t w ould .

b e a bsurd t o suppos e that suc h a dmir abl e disposi ti o n s

could have been produc e d b y a h e at e d fa n c y or b y ,

h i m wh o i sth e de a dly enem y o f a ll vir t u e .

Bu t t o re t urn t o h e r profe ssi o n T h is even t was n o t .

w i th V e ro n ic a a s i t som e t im e s is w ith luk e wa rm

,

c hara c te rs the comm enc e m e n t Of a cours e of r el ax at io n

,
60 s . VERONIC A GIULIANI .

a nd in dulg e n c e o n th e c on tr ary sh e fe l t h erself bou n d ,

a s i n d e e d sh e wa s t o a s tric t e r o bs e rvan c e of th e rule

,

t ha n e v e r i n o rd e r tha t b y t h e mos t p e rfe c t rule of life

, ,

t h e u n io n b e tw e e n h e rs e lf an d h e r h e a venl y Sp o us e
might b e th e more s t r o n gly c e m e n t e d I n order t o .

e ff e c t th is sh e n o t o n l y submi tt e d c h e e rfull y t o the

,

c us t om o f t h e c onven t wh i c h r e qui r e d h e r t o sp e n d
,

t w o more y e ar s under t h e direc t ion of t h e mis t r e ss

o f t h e n o vic e s i n a s c o mpl e t e o b e di e n c e a s t h o ug h
,

s h e ha d been a n o vi c e o f merel y a fe w d ay s s ta n d i n g

b u t sh e w o uld fain ha v e c o n t i n u e d in t hat p o si t i o n

a l l h e r life if h e r sup e ri o rs w o uld h av e p e rmi tt e d

h e r t o d o so . All th e w i t n e ss e s wh o w e re e x am in e d
in t h e pre limin ary a s w ell a s i n th e ap o s t o lic p ro c e ss
of h e r c an o n i zat io n ! an d t h e y ha d been fo r t h e
mos t p ar t h e r c o mp a n i o n s in th e clois t e r ) ha v e u n an i
,

m o u sl y d e p o s e d a s fo llo w s ; n am e l y that e v e n from

,

t h e e a rli e s t p e riod O f h e r r e ligious c ar e e r sh e wa s re ,

m ark abl e for h e r pr a c t ic e of e v e ry kind o f vi rtu e ,

e sp e ci a ll y f or m o rt i cat i o n h umili ty Ob e di e n c e an d
, , ,

c ha ri ty i n all wh i c h sh e atta i n e d t o th e h e roic d e g r e e

,
.

O ne proo f o f th is wa s th e v e h e m e n t z e al w ith wh ic h
s h e c e a s e d n o t t o th ir s t fo r th e co n v e r si o n of sin n e rs ,

s o muc h that sh e d e si r e d b y m e a n s O f h e r pra ye rs an d

su ff e rin gs t o co n s t i t u t e h e r s e lf a n in t e rc e ssor be t ween

s i n n e r s an d th e ir G o d i n o rd e r that sin might b e
,

d e s troy e d in th e w orld Th is wa s so displ e a sin g t o

.

th e d e vil that o n th e s e occ a si o n s h e m an ife s te d his

s pe c i al r e s e n t m e n t b y s tr iki n g h e r h e avil y .

T w o i n s tan c e s are m e n t i o n e d in t h e a cc o un t dr awn

u b y h e r for h e r dir e c t o rs wh i c h occurr e d in t h e
p ,

e a rl y y e a rs of h e r r e ligi o us life . I wa s o n e

d ay in pr ay e r sh e wri t e s before the mos t h ol y Sac
, ,
 s . VERONICA GIULI AN I . 61

r am e n t pl e a di n g for c e r tain sin n e r s wh en I fe l t m y

,

h e ar t b urs t in g w i th gri e f o n a cc o u n t O f t h e t ran sgre s

,

sions wh ic h th e y c o mm itt e d a ga i n s t G o d In my .

a n guis h I pr ay e d f o r t h e s alv at io n of th eir souls and ,

pr e s e n t i n g m ysel f a s an in t e rc e ss o r b e tw e e n th e m a nd
th eir C r eat o r I a sk e d tha t I might su ffe r o n th e ir
,

b e half All at o n c e I fe l t m y s e lf s t ruck s e v e r e ly a nd

.

th r o w n vi ol e n tl y t o t h e gr ou n d I pr e sum e i t wa s t h e
.

d e vil wh o did th is a s at th e s a m e mome nt I wa s

,

t e mp t e d t o ce a se fr o m o ffe r i n g m y s e lf i n th e c a p a
ci ty of i n t e rc e ss o r b e t we e n God an d sin n e rs Bu t w i th .

t h e divi n e a ssis ta n c e I t o o k c o urag e pr o lo n g e d m y ,

p ray e r an d us e d t h e discipli n e for a c o n sid e r abl e sp a c e

,

of t im e I b e li e v e th e a r c h e n d fel t h i ms e lf d e fe ate d
'

-
.
,

f o r h e m a de a gr e a t dis tu rb a n c e in t h e c h urch It .

s e e m e d as th ough h e ll i t s e lf ha d b e e n t ran sfe r r e d t o

wh ere I wa s bu t so fa r fr o m b e i n g a fra id I d e spis e d ,

h is ridicul o us an d foolis h d e vic e s T h e blo w wh ic h .

I ha d r e c e iv e d o n th e fa c e l e ft b e h in d i t a bruis e wh ic h
did n o t p a ss off fo r sever al d ay s I saw n o th in g bu t .
,

I h e ard th e cl an ki n g of c hain s an d a noise r e s e mblin g

t h e h issing Of s e rp e n t s .

On a n o th e r occ a si o n wh e n I wa s at w ork in m y
,

cell I b e c a m e s e n sibl y co n scious o f th e prese n ce o f

,

G o d an d I th ink at t h e s am e t im e God m a d e m e
,
:

aware of th e pre ci o u s n at ure of su ff e r in g I pr ay ed .

that H e w o uld gr at ify m e w i th a share in so gre at a

privil e g e a nd I also e n t re at e d Him t o b e pl e a s e d t o
b e st o w t h e s ame light o n ever y soul t o th e e n d that ,

all might be wh oll y uni t ed t o Hims e lf through

su ffe ri n g I p ar ticul arl y r e comm e n d e d a ll si n n e rs
.
.

t o th e Divine M aj e s ty Sudd e n ly I wa s m a de t o
.

feel that a h e a vy bl o w wa s aimed at m y s h o uld e r ,

 62 VERONICA GIULIAN I
~
s . .

an d th is wa s a ccomp a n i e d b y s o loud a n oise i n

m y cell t hat th e sis t e r s c ame k n o ckin g at th e d oor ,

t o d e sir e m e t o b e q ui e t H o w e ve r I onl y smiled

.
,

at th ese ins ane atta cks o f t h e e vil o n e Th e p ai n in .

m y s h ould e r l a st ed a g o od wh il e s o tha t I could ,

sc arc e l y ge t thr o ug h m y w o rk ; bu t I c h e e rfu lly

o ffe r e d up th is li t t le suffe r i n g t o m y God .

W hil e t h e e n e m y w as th u s m a dd e n e d at b e h old
i n g th is fe rv e n t r e ligi o us m a kin g suc h progr e ss in
t h e p ath of s an c t i ty A lmig hty G o d fai led n o t t o
,

b e s t o w o n h e r mos t lib e rally r are p r oofs of His

p e culia r favour ; H e beg a n t o commu n ic at e Him
s e lf t o h er and that fr e qu e n t l y b y m e ans of an
, ,

e x t r a o rdi n a r y e l e v at io n o f soul wh ic h sh e c a ll e d re
,

c oll e c t io n
. Sh e wa s o n e d ay at w ork i n t h e ki t c h en
w i th th ree o th er sis t e rs th e y w ere singing a d e vou t
hy m n t oge th e r wh e n Ve ro n i c a u n e xp e c t e dl y e xcl aim e d
, ,

My J e sus m y Je sus an d th e n fell as o n e de a d on

S is t e r C l are F e lix havin g los t t h e u se of h e r s e ns e s

, ,

a n d being n o t o n l y u n abl e t o move bu t unco n sciou s of

,

t h e a t t e mp t s of o th ers t o rouse h e r an d d e a f t o al l,

th e i r cries H e r cou n t e n an c e m e an wh il e wa s fairer

.

t ha n usu a l a nd s h one like th e su n At l e n gth sh e

.

c am e t o h e rs e lf an d s aid w i th a smil e I have ha d a ,

li tt le sl e e p wh ic h ha s affe c t e d m y h e art Th e s e ap
p arent fai n t in g t s w e re repe at ed s e v e ra l t im e s an d at ,

rs t t h e nuns se t th e m d o wn t o e pil e ps y a nd w ere in ,

gre at fe a r l e s t o n e of the m s h ould prove fata l t o h er .

S h e wa s s e iz e d in th is way o n e e v e n i n g i n th e r e fe c t o ry ,

s o th e y c arri e d h er in th e ir a rms in t o h e r cell an d ,

havin g pl a c e d h e r o n h e r b e d c all e d in he r c o n
,

fe sso r Fath e r C avam az z a o f t h e order of S Domi

, .

n ic At rs t he ha d his doub t s o n th e subj e c t a nd

*
.
,

th o u ght proper t o wai t ti ll s h e s h ould r eviv e H e .

 s . VERONICA GI ULIANI . 63

th en qu e s tio n e d h e r w i th gre a t pr u d e n c e an d b e c am e ,

a t l e n g th full y co n vi n c e d that t h e s e w ere r e all y sup e r

n at ur a l vi si tat io n s of t h e Divine Spiri t H e a cc o r d .

i n gl y dir e c t e d t h e n u n s n ever t o dis t urb h er o n su c h

occ a sio n s .

W e l e arn what t ook pl a c e b e tw e e n God an d th is

favour e d soul fro m h e r o wn w ri t t e n a ccount O f t h e
rs t wh ic h o ccurr e d t o h e r H er w ords are a s fol
.

lo w s : Th e rs t t im e that I e nj o y e d o n e of th ese
r ap t ur e s a ccomp an i e d b y a visi o n i t seemed t o me
, ,

tha t a ll at once I b e h e ld our L ord b e a ri n g a h e a v y ,

cro ss a nd that H e in vi t e d me t o s har e i n that i n

,

v a lu abl e t r e asur e T h is wa s sign i e d t o me r ath er b y

.

s ome i n t e rn a l commu n ic at i on tha n throug h th e mediu m

of w ords At t h e s a me m o m e n t I fel t a n e x tre m e d e

.

sire for suffe r in gs O ur L o r d th e n t r an sfe rr e d that

.

s am e cr o ss t o m y h e ar t a nd m a de me aware of th e
,

gre at w or th of su ffe ri n gs It wa s th us that H e taught

.

m e : e very kind o f suffe rin g wa s pr e s e n te d t o m y

V ie w,
an d at th e s a m e i n s tan t t h e wh ole wa s
t r an sfo rm e d i n t o mos t pr e ci o us j e w e ls wh ic h w ere ,

a l l se t in the s ha pe o f a cr o ss Me an whil e I wa s
.

iven t o u n d e r s ta n d that our L ord d e sir e d fro m

g
m e pure suffe ri n g ; af t er wh i c h He imm e di at e l y
v an ish e d !from m y sight O n r e cove ri n g m y s e n s e s
.
,

I fe l t a gre at p ain at m y h e a r t wh ic h ha s never l e ft

,

me sin c e ; an d I r e tai n e d mor e ov e r so ard en t a d e

sire o f su ffe r i n g that I w ould u n d e rgo every c o n
,

c e ivab l e p a in a nd t o rm e n t E v e r since that t im e I

.

have been s aying t o m y s e lf that cr o ss e s a nd t ri als are

t o b e e st eemed a s precious s t o n es a nd c o un te d a s h ig h

p rivil e g es .

V e ro n ic a a dds th at i t was o n thi s occ a sion tha t

.

J e sus C h ris t e n gr a v e d on he r h e art th e impr e ssion of

64 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

His cross i n a visibl e m an n e r a s was s e e n b y m an y

, ,

w i tn e ss e s i n th e i n v e s t ig at i o n wh i c h wa s m a de a ft e r
h er d e ath .Th e rs t frui t s of th is divine fa vo u r
m ay be t r a c ed i n h e r a dv a n c e s t o wards p e rfe ct i o n ;
i n a smuc h a s fr om this e arl y s tag e o f h e r r e ligi o us
c ar e e r t h e s ol e Obje c t o f h er a spirat i o n wa s su ffe ri n g ,

pur e su ffe rin g an d th e o n l y tr e a su r e t h e o n l y d e

, ,

light wh i c h sh e p riz e d i n this w o rld w as a s hare ,

i n t h e cross a nd P a s si o n o f Chr is t .

C H APT ER X .

THE OFFICES W HICH S H E I S CALLED TO FILL I N TH E

C O NVENT THE MANNER I N W HICH S H E DIS
.

CHARGED HER DUTIES .

WHEN V e ron ic a ha d p a ss e d th rough h e r novi ci at e ,

sh e wa s e mpl o y e d in th e v ar i o us O fc e s of th e c o m

mu n i ty fr o m t h e lo w e s t t o t h e h igh e s t W e s hall
, .

n o w giv e t h e r e a d e r som e id e a of th e s e a l th oug h w e ,

s hal l in so doing an t icip at e th e n arr at iv e in th is o u r

rs t book in order n o t t o bre ak t h e th r e a d o f th e
,

more impor tan t m att er s wh ich fo llo w At d iffe r e n t .

t im e s of h e r life sh e ha d ch arg e of th e kit ch e n d isp e n ,

s ary lin e n room in rm ary turn p an t ry s a cris ty an d

,
-
, , , , ,

n o vici at e l a s t of all sh e was appoi n t e d abb e ss Sh e .

p e rfo rm e d th ese fu n ct i o n s w ith th e mos t p e rfe c t

e qu an imi ty an d c o n sid e r e d h e rs e lf th r o ug h ou t a s t h e
,

s e r v an t o f all Hence sh e m arii fe ste d th e mos t sc ru

.

u l o u s dilig e n c e an d e x a c t n e ss in th e fullm e n t of
p
every du ty wh ic h sh e wa s c all e d up o n t o d ischarge .

Al th ough h er con s t it u t io n w as a p e culi arly d e lic at e

on e and h er app et ite li abl e t o be e a sil y affe c t e d sh e
, ,
66 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

r ath e r more than half llin g i t As soon a s sh e ha d .

c ompl e t e d h e r w ork sh e s a id t o h e r comp an io n with

,

a smil e :

R e pl a c e th is ch e e s e in it s v e ss e l an d p a ck

i t w ell in . In d oi n g so th e l ay sis t e r found tha t
,

th e r e was no w n o t o n ly e n ou g h t o ll th e o rigin al j ar ,

bu t that as m any a s tw elve m o ulds re m a i n e d over an d

a bove ; th e s e sh e pu t away in a b a sk e t an d wh e n sh e ,

r e t ur n e d present l y t o th e s am e room sh e disc o v e r e d ,

that th e y had i n cr e a s e d t o t h e nu m ber of e ight e e n .

O n s e v e ra l occ a sio n s after bein g a ccur at e l y c o u n t e d

, ,

t h e e gg s w ere fo u n d mul t iplied i n a si m il a r w ay t o

t h e number of th ir ty th r e e for ty o r e v e n a h u n dr e d
-
, , ,

a c cording t o th e n e c e ssi t i e s of t h e c o mmu n i ty A bene .

fa c t o r having s e n t th e m some sh wh i ch w ould b arel y

s e rv e th em all at th e r at e of t wo api e c e V e r o n ica ,

co n tr iv e d t o suppl y th e tabl e fo r s e v e ra l d ay s ,

giving th e m e ac h t wo o r th r e e Th e c o mp a n io n t o .

w h ose j oi n t cus t o d y th e y w e r e c o n sig n e d wa s su r

p ris e d at th is an d s aid t o h e r o n e d ay H o w do y ou
, ,

c on t rive m o th e r t o m ake t h e s e sh l a s t s o long 2

'
, ,


E at away e at away an d never mind wa s t h e
, , ,

r e pl y
. Wh e n i t wa s discov e r e d that sh e poss e ss e d
th i s po w er th ose wh o sup e rin t e n d e d th e s t ore s an d
,

ki t ch en wo uld hav e r e c o u r s e t o h e r a s o ft e n as th e ir
s t o ck was a ccid e n tall y or o th e rw is e dimin is h e d Wh en .

th us appli e d t o sh e w o u ld o n ly an s w e r H av e c o n ,

den ce in God and a ll d e ci e n ci e s wh e th e r in qu an t ity
, ,

or qu al i ty w e r e fo und t o b e imm e di at e l y r e p air e d

,
.

Bu t h o w ever gre at might have been h e r dilig e nc e

i n th e fullmen t o f h e r pr e vio u s du t i e s i t wa s sur ,

p ass e d b y that wh ic h sh e e xh ibi t e d wh en occupying

the imp o rtan t pos t of mis tr e ss of th e novic e s Th e .

mom e n t ous r e sponsibili ty of this s tat io n mus t be

r e cogn is e d by all as i t l i e s w ith th e per son so
,
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 67

a ppoin t e d t o suppl y the commu n i ty wi th g oo d

subj e c t s wh o are t o c o ns t it u t e i t s fu ture w e lfar e
, .

F or th is r ea son p e rsons of m at ure age an d c o n sum

m at e vi rt u e a r e g e n e r all y s e l e c t e d B ut suc h wa s
.

t h e co n duc t of V e r o n ic a in h e r y ou th that sh e w as
c h osen for th is w e ighty c harg e wh e n sh e wa s o n l y
th irty four y e a rs of age n o t more than s e v
-
,
e n t e e n Of

wh ic h ha d bee n p a ss e d in r e ligio n I n ord e r t o form

.

a corr e c t ide a of h e r success i n th is c ha rg e i t is enoug h ,

t o rem ark that i t was pr o lon g e d for tw e n ty tw o c o n se -

c u ti v e y e ars in fa c t un t il sh e wa s m a d e abb e ss
,
.

E ven th en th oug h i t w a s a th in g w i th ou t pr e c e d e n t
, ,

t h e n u n s d e sir e d that sh e s h ould co n t i n u e t o a c t as

mis t r e ss of th e novic e s a nd t o s at isfy th e m sh e wa s
oblig e d t o do so duri n g th e e l e v e n y e ars of h e r supe
ri o rsh ip t o t h e c lose of h e r l ife It c an th erefore b e
.

no m att e r of a s t o n is h m e n t that u nder a gov e r n m e n t

so e xc e ll e n t an d of th ir ty th r e e y e a r s dur at io n h er

-
, ,

conven t s h ould hav e attain e d t o so il l ustri o u s a d e gr e e

o f s a n c t i ty that i t bec a me c e l e br at e d th roug h t h e

wh ole of Ital y w e migh t almos t say of E ur o p e It

, .

w ill be w orth wh ile t o poin t ou t t h e me th od sh e

p ursu e d i
,
n order that o t h ers m ay b e i n s t ruc t e d a s t o
what cours e th e y sh ould a d o p t in simil a r d i cu l tie s .

S h e co n sid e r e d th e y oung sp o us e s of Ch ris t as he r

o wn d a ug ht e rs an d a c t e d t o wa rds the m o n al l occ a
,

sions a s a lovin g mo th e r Sh e wa s an xious that th e y

.

s h ou l d be d e priv e d of n o th i n g wh ic h t h e rule a l l o we d

th em an d w ould subj e c t h e rs el f t o pri vat ions in

,

o rd e r that he r novic e s mig ht ha ve le ss t o su ffe r O ne .

of th e m having arriv e d in th e middl e of summ e r an d ,

t h e rule r e quiri n g that e v e ry o n e s h ould sleep n o t

m e r e l y d r e ss e d bu t cov e r e d with a w o o ll e n q uil t
u nd e r wh ic h e v e n th e ha n ds we r e t o be l a id Ve ro ,

5
2
68 s . VERON ICA GIULIANI .

n ic a did what sh e cou l d t o all e vi at e th e t ri a l of h e r

ch ild b y cha n gi n g cov e rl e t s w i th h er taki n g th e ,

n e w on e for h e rs e l f a n d givin g h e r i n s t e a d h e r o w n
,

old o n e wh i c h wa s comp arat ivel y light bu t a s s o o n

,

a s th e w in t e r c ame sh e g a v e h e r b ack th e warm

cou n t e rp an e I f o n e of th e n ovic e s fell il l o u r S ai n t
.
,

al way s l a id h e rs e lf ou t t o assis t an d c o m fort h e r b y

p ayin g h e r a ll t h e s e rvic e s of c har i ty S h e w ould .

fain have t ran sfe rr e d t h e m al a dy t o h e rs e lf that b y so ,

doi n g sh e might r e li e v e h e r d aught e r O n c e h e r w is h .

w as mir a culousl y gr at i e d I t is r e l at e d b y Sis t e r

.

M ary C o n s tan c e Span ac iari i n wh ose c a s e i t occu rr e d

, ,

d uI i n g th e t im e wh en sh e wa s a novic e Sh e ha d b e e n .

atta ck e d b y a vi o l e n t fe ve r a ccomp an i e d b y e ry sip e l a s

,

in o n e of h er l e gs Sh e r e c e iv e d a visi t fr o m h er h oly
.

mis t r e ss wh o m an ife s t e d t owards h er fe e lin gs o f th e

,

m o s t t e n d e r comp a ssion an d signed h e r w i th a r e lic

,

o f t h e t rue C ross .Th is ha d n o sooner b e e n d o n e

than h er ill ness l e ft h e r an d sh e arose fr o m h e r b e d
,

p e rfe c tl y cured Bu t w o n d e rful t o r e l at e Ve r o n ic a

.
,

was at t h e s am e t ime s e i z e d b y that dis o rd e r an d i t ,

w as a sc e r ta in e d b y Fath er T a ssi n ari h e r co n fessor , ,

t h at sh e ha d a sked th is a s a boo n from God .

I n lik e m an n e r wh e n t h e cells of t h e n o vi c e s a nd
i n d e e d t h ose of th e wh ole c o mmu n i ty be c ame i n fe s t e d
w i th foul an d disgus t in g in s e c t s t o th e g ri e v o us ann o y
an c e of th o s e s e rv a n t s of God th e s ain tl y mo th er
,

pr ayed t o our L o rd that a ll t h e n oisome c re atures

might be co n g r e g at e d t og e th e r in h e r c e ll H er .

p e t it io n was gra nt ed an d h e r b e d wall s an d furnitu re

, , ,

t e e m e d wi th th e m wh ere a s in all th e o th e r ap ar tm e n t s
,

th ere wa s no t o n e t o be fo u n d Sh e wa s s o d e ligh te d
.

a t ha vi n g Ob ta ined h er r e q u e s t t h at sh e d a n c ed w i th
,

j y
o at t h e r e li e f wh ic h w as th us a fford e d t o h er d au gh
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 69

!
t e rs a nd sis t e rs T o re wa rd th is h e ro ism i t pl e a s e d
.
,

G o d a fe w d ay s aft e r wards t o c a use t h e en t ire pes t

, ,

t o di s app e ar fr o m h e r c e ll n o r wa s o n e of th e m ever
,

a ft e r see n i n an y p a r t o f t h e m o n a s t e ry If o n e .

o f t h e n ovic e s a pp e ar e d p e n siv e or dis t r e ss e d V e ro n ic a ,

w o uld i n quir e th e c ause w ith ou t d e l ay an d appl y th e ,

n e e dfu l r e m e di e s H e r c e l l was O pen t o t h em at a ll

.

h ours . S h e a l way s w e lcom e d th e m w i t h c h e e r ful

looks a n d dismiss e d th e m w i th kind w ords A t th eir
,
.

cre cre at i o n s in commo n sh e e n d e a vour e d t o k e e p th e m

,

happ y i n God taki n g h e r s har e i n all t h ey d id an d

, ,

e ven j o i n i n g w i th th em i n h u n t i n g gr a ss h o pp e rs a n d

o th e r misch i e vo us i n s e c t s from th e s hrubs in t h e g ar

d en. T his was o n e Of t h e a mus e m e n t s of t h e n o vic e s ,

an d s h e co n t i n u e d t o t a ke p ar t in i t during t h e l a s t

y e ars o f h e r life wh e n sh e wa s n o t o nly n ovic e mis

,

t ress bu t abbes s th oug h h e r age wa s a dva nced an d

, ,

h e r s u ffe r in gs from d r o ps y c o n sid e rabl e .

H avi n g g ai n e d t h e h e ar t s of t h e novices b y th ese

a ff e c t io n at e way s sh e s e t h e rs e lf t o
,
r e gul at e an d
d ire c t th e ir mi n ds th is being t h e pri n cip a l du ty o f
,

h er Of c e L e t n o one h o w e ve r im agi n e that sh e

.
, ,

att e mp t e d t o c arry h e r y ou th ful c h ildre n wi th h e r

i n h e r o w n ight t o wa rds p e r fe c t io n Sh e be g an .

b y g r ou n din g th e m W e ll in t h e h ol y fe a r o f God an d
i n th e e x a c t O bs e rv a n c e o f t h e divi n e c o mm a n dm e n t s .

F o r th is purpose sh e t ook p a i n s t o m ak e t h e m
th o roughl y le arn an d c o mpre h end all t hat is
c o n ta i n e d i n Ch ris t i an doc t rin e F rom this sh e
.

w ent o n t o e xpl a i n th e r e ligious rule t e a ch i n g ,

th e m t o appr e ci at e i t s spi r it a nd d oi n g h e r b e s t at
,

t h e s a me t im e t o r e n d e r th em fa mili a r wi th t h e l ab o u rs
an d du t ies of t h e c o mmu n i ty S h e kne w h o w
.

t o pu t u p w ith suc h defec t s an d imp e rfe c t io n s as

'
 70 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

proc e e d e d no t from m alic e or i ll will bu t from t hat

,
-
,

w e ak n e ss wh i c h a ris e s fro m a p e rso n b e in g as ye t a

b e gin n e r i n the way s of God N e v er th e l e ss sh e .

t ook a dv a ntage of every good opport un i ty t o i n spire

th e m w i th that spiri t of m o rti c atio n and t o ta l
ab n e g at i o n of s e lf wh i c h is t h e g e n ui n e c ha r a c t e ris t ic
,

O f t h e r e ligi o u s life .

S h e wo ul d o ft e n repe at th e s e w o rds Wh o e ve r

w ish e s t o bel o ng t o G o d mus t rs t d ie t o h e rs e lf .

Hen c e sh e was p articul arly c areful t o My th e m o n thi s

poi n t O ne d ay Sis t e r Ursul a C e ol i was c o mpl ai n in g
.

of t h e gre at h e at o f th e d o g d ay s upo n wh ich h e r h ol y

-
,

m is t r e ss re mi n d e d h e r h o w muc h m o r e vi o l e n t w as t h e
re O f pu rg at o ry an d h o w e a sy i t wa s t o incur i ts
,

p e n al t i e s S h e als o i n sis t e d t hat b y way of p e n an c e

.

f o r he r murmu r s an d a s a t ri al o f h er ob e di e n c e an d
,

m o rti c at i o n sh e s h o ul d pu t t w o a ddi t i o n a l v e ils o n

,

h e r h e a d a nd a c l o ak o n h e r s h ould e rs an d thu s ,

e q uipp e d go d o w n i n t o t h e g a rd e n a n d r e m a i n e xpos e d

t o t h e burni n g r ay s of t h e su n T h e n o vic e ob e y e d
.
,

al th o ugh sh e b e li e ve d t hat sh e was g o i n g t o e n cou n t e r

d e ath H e r w is e mis tr e ss h o w e v e r w h o wa s s at is e d
.
, ,

b y th is a c t o f s e lf d e n i al o b tai n e d from o u r L o rd t h e
-
,

foll o wing mira cle a r e fr e s h i n g bree z e lift e d t h e veil s

in t o th e a i r an d kep t th em abov e t h e n o vic e s h e a d i n
,

t h e for m of a n umbr e ll a c a usi n g h er th us t o enj o y

,

t h e co o l n e ss of spri n g u nt il sh e wa s ord e r e d b a ck
,

from th e g arden Bu t o ur S a in t wa s more s ever e

.

w ith an o th e r n ovic e w h o gre w imp at i e n t under t h e

,

r ath er p e culi ar t e mp e r of a n e ld e r ly c o mp a n i o n in
o fc e a nd w e n t so far on o n e occ a si o n a s t o c all h e r
,

a wh imsic al w om an Ve ro n ic a r e prove d h e r v e ry
.

s eriousl y , and oblig e d h er t o m ake ve cross e s on

t h e ground w i th h e r t o n gu e ; sh e also r e quir e d h e r
 s . VE RONICA GIULIANI . 71

to as k p ardon o n h e r k n ees of th e inj ur e d s is te r an d ,

t o a ccuse h e rs e lf of h e r faul t i n th e public r e fe c t or y .

Bu t b e c aus e th e a c t s of e v an g e lic al m o rti c atio n

wh ic h are mos t difcul t a nd mos t pl e a si n g t o G o d ,

are t h ose wh e r e b y w e h umbl e ours e lv e s sh e d w e l t o n ,

th is v ir tu e w i th si n gul a r e mpha sis in h er i n s truc t io n s .

O ur L ord J e sus Chris t Hims e lf ha d i n spire d h e r t o d o

s o b y m e a n s o f a be a u t iful visio n O n Ch ris t m a s D ay
.

s h e ha d s e e n h e r S avi o ur u nder th e form of a n I nfa n t

, ,

W h o r e comm e n d e d h e r ab o v e all o th e r virt u e s t o t r ai n ,

h e r n ovic e s i n t h e p ath o f h o l y h umili ty : t o wh ic h

Ve ron ic a re pli e d O m y Jesus h o w c an I d o t hi s l fo r
, ,

I do n o t kn o w w hat h umili ty is T h e Divi n e I nfa n t
.

g a ve h e r th is a n s w e r : I a m th e M a s t e r of h umility
do n o t fe a r th e r e fo re bu t tr us t in M e
,
No w V e r o
.

n i c a w e ll kne w t ha t t h e m o s t e ffe c t iv e me th od o f i n

c ul cat i n a n y vir t u e is t t a n x a mpl f i t A s

g o s e e e o .

th is rul e a ppli e s e sp e ci all y t o h umility sh e t o o k p ar ,

t i cu l ar p ains t o render h e r c o n duc t suc h a s might serve

fo r a mod e l t o h e r n o vic e s No t o n l y wa s sh e imp e r
.

t u rb ab l e a nd c h e e r fu l i n th e mids t of th ose severe

m o rti c ati o n s wh ic h sh e ha d t o endure fr o m o th e r s ,

a s w e shall s e e h e r e aft e r bu t sh e w ould fr e qu e n tl y

,

h umbl e h er s elf spon tan e ousl y b e fo r e th e n o vic e s ,

even in h e r old age S o m e t im e s sh e a ss e mbl e d th e m

.

t o g e th e r in t h e chap e l an d pros t rat i n g h e rs e lf at

,

th eir fee t o n t h e o o r implored th e ir p ardo n fo r

,

t h e fa ul t s sh e ha d commi tt e d in t h e e x e cu t ion of h e r
ch arge as als o f o r th e d ise di c ati o n wh ic h sh e ha d
,

c aus e d th em S o m e t im e s sh e w o uld m ak e t o th em a
.

sor t of g e n e r a l co n fe ss i o n e x agge rat i n g e v e n th e d e

,

fe e t s of h e r ch ildh o o d an d r e qu e s t i n g an d o bligin g t h em
,

under Ob e di e n c e t o se t t h eir fe e t upo n h e r lips an d

,

t o t rampl e u pon h e r as a b e i n g u nw orthy of taki n g

72 VERONICA GIULIANI .

her pl a c e a mon g th e s e r van t s of G o d I n so doi n g

.
,

e ve ry o n e of c o urs e e n d e a v o ur e d t o s t ep o n h e r a s

ligh tly as possible an d o n ly fo r app e ara n c e s ake bu t

,

Sis t e r Fl o rid a C e ol i a ss e rt s t hat sh e o n ce fel t h e r s e lf

fo rc e d b y some invisible hand t o t re a d so hard o n t h e
mou th of h e r h ol y mis tr e s s that o n e of th e lips c o n
,

t in n e d d r e a dfully s w oll e n an d i nj ur e d fo r s e v e r a l d ay s
th is wa s e i th e r a piece o f revenge o n t h e p ar t of t h e
d e vil w h o could n o t b e ar t o w i tn e ss suc h e x tra o rdi n ary
,

proofs of h umili ty or i t wa s a fa v o u r g ran t e d b y G o d

,

t o s at isfy t h e lo wl y d e si re s of H i s han dm a id e n .

S h e wa s i n t h e habi t of c o n cludi n g al l h e r i n stru c

t io n s w ith a n e xh o r tat io n t o a void t e pid i ty wh ic h sh e
,

d e cl are d t o be t h e t rue pl agu e of souls . S h e w as

d e sirous tha t h e r d a ught e r s s h o u ld c o n s e c rat e a ll t h e
a c t io n s of t h e d ay t o G o d a nd th e r e b y m a i n ta i n a per
,

p e t ua l e x e rcis e o f l o ve
. I n order t o keep th e m t o t h i s
h o l y pr a c tic e sh e int r o du c ed i n t o th e n ovici at e t h e
,

cus t om of th us mu t u all y qu e s t i o n in g e a c h o th er wh en

th e y m e t : Sis t e r So an d S o what are y ou doi n g !
,

t o wh ic h th e repl y w as : I a m loving G o d at l e a s t ,

if th e sis t er a dd r e ss e d c o uld say th is w i t h t ru th I t .

happ e n e d o n e mo r n i n g that a n o vic e m e e ti n g h e r h o l y

,

mis t r e ss an d b e i n g a sked t h e u su al qu e s t io n fa iled t o,

give t h e a ccus t o m e d a n s we r thr o ugh fe a r of s ay in g

what wa s n o t t rue H e r e up o n Ve r o n ic a turned p al e
.
,

a s s h e was i n t h e habi t o f doi n g wh e n sh e su ffe r e d

gr e at p ain and r e m o n s tr at e d w i th th e n o vic e i n so

,

i m pr e ssiv e a m an n e r a s t o dra w t e ar s fro m h e r e y e s t o ,

t h e gre at a dvan tag e o f h e r s o ul O ur S ain t w as more

.

s e v e r e t o a no th er novi c e w h o c a m e o u t o f c h o ir a ft e r

N o ne d e cl ari n g in a l augh i n g way that sh e h ad been

,

s o m e what dis tra c t e d during t h e r e ci ta l o f o i c e On .

th is t h e z e al o f h e r mis t re ss was e nki n dl e d an d sh e

, ,
74 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

whe r eb y sh e wa s en abled t o r e ad th e hea r t s of h er

s piri t u al d a ught e rs so t hat wh e n sh e co n v e rs e d w i th
,

th e m sh e c ould pu t h e r n g e r on an y th ough t or in
,

ordin at e affe c ti o n wh ic h mi ght b e c ausi n g th e m n u

e a si n e ss w i th ou t e v e n b e t r ay i n g h e r kno w l e dg e of i t
,
.

T h is wa s att e s t e d b y Sis t e r M ari a M aggi w h o h ad ,

h e r s e lf experienced t h e e ff e c t s o f th i s gift a nd ha d ,

obs e rv e d i t s i n u e n c e o n th e wh o le commun i ty .

Som e tim e s wh en i t wa s r e quisit e for th eir g o od

, ,

Ve r o n ic a w ould a ckn o wledge that sh e kne w all that

w as going o n in th e ir mi n ds S h e did so i n th e c a s e
.

of Sis t e r M ary M agd al e n B o scain i w h o durin g t h e , ,

rs t ye a r o f h e r n o vici at e wa s t roubl e d for s e v e r a l

,

d ay s b y a n afflic t i o n of spiri t a n d m a de n o m e n t ion

,

of i t t o e i th e r h e r c o n fe ss o r o r h e r mis t r e ss Th e .

l att e r p e rc e iv e d i t a nd a sked h e r s e v e r a l t im e s if
,

s h e w ere n o t l a bouri n g under some S piri t u a l t ri a l .

T h e n ovic e al ways e v a d e d giving a di r e c t r e pl y s o at ,

l a s t our S ain t s aid t o h e r A re y ou no t t r o ubl e d b y
,

suc h and suc h an afic t io n ! an d sh e w en t o n t o
d e tail mi n u t e l y t h e t im e an d c ause of th e t ro ubl e
sh e wa s su ffe rin g fr o m wh ic h h o w e v e r wa s compl e t e l y
,

disp e ll e d b e fo r e t h e t e rmin at i o n of th e i n t e rvi e w .

T h ere wa s a n o t h er n o vi c e wh o c h e r is h e d certain
fe e li n gs o f a v e rsion t o wa r d s a com p an ion b u t
al th o ugh sh e wa s succ e ssful in con c e ali n g what wa s
p a ssi n g i n h e r mi n d sh e wa s o n e d ay summon e d b y
,

h e r s a i n t l y mis tr e ss w h o warned h e r t o wat c h

,

h e rs e lf v e ry c ar e full y l e s t a g r e at ame s h ould b e

,

ki n dl e d from a s m all sp ark Th e n o vic e thus taken

.
,

b y surpris e i n quir e d t h e r e a so n of th is a dmoni tio n

, .

Ve ro n ic a th e n e xpl ai n e d t o he r t h e an t ip athy wh ic h
ha d been fe rm e n tin g wi th in h er w i th suc h m i n u t e n e ss ,

that sh e s e e m e d t o ha ve b e e n r e adin g h e r i n mos t soul ;

 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I . 75

a n d at s ame t ime that sh e e xpos e d th e w ound sh e

th e ,

e ffe c te d i t s cur e .

From what ha s b e e n alr e a d y s a id i t is cle a r that ,

V e r o n ic a could no t possibl y ha ve d o ne more tha n sh e

did i n t h e fullm e n t o f th e du ti e s e n t rus t e d t o h er .

Bu t h o w t rue i t is that t h e judgm e n t of G o d is e v e r

p e culi arly s t ric t t o wards th o se w h o rul e W e le arn
a s muc h from t h e sixth c ha p t e r of W isdom wh ic h i s ,

v e ry applic abl e t o t h e superiors an d di r e c t o r s of re

l igi o u s commu n i t i e s if th r o ugh an y fa ul t o n th eir
,

p ar t th e s tand ard o f spi ri t u a li ty is lo w e r e d or if

, ,

abus e s a re suffe r e d t o i n tr ud e or i f suc h a s ha v e b e e n ,

alr e a d y in tro duc e d are p e rmi tt e d t o c o n ti n u e O n .

t h e 9t h o f N o v e mb e r 1 7 07 ! that is t o say i n t h e
, ,

th i rt e e n th y e a r o f h e r sup e ri o rs h ip a n d t h e fo r ty
s e v e n th o f h er a ge ) w e n d i t m e n t i o n e d i n th e

d i a ry of Fath e r Capp e ll e tt i that Ve r o n ic a ha ving been , ,

t aken ex tremel y ill o f a m a l a d y wh i c h ha d been pre

d ic t e d b y our L o r d on t h e 2 2n d of t h e prece d ing Oc
t ober wa s t o all app e a ran c e i n h e r l a s t ag o n y at nine
,

o cl o ck i n t h e e v e n i n g At that h our sh e ha d a visi o n

.
,

in wh ic h sh e w as b o rn e i n spiri t t o t h e t ribu n al o f
t h e Divine Judg e Sh e b e h e ld Ch ris t w i t h a s evere
.

a sp e c t s e at e d o n a m aj e s t ic thr o n e i n th e mids t o f a
,

mul t it ud e o f angels Th e mos t h ol y M a ry wa s o n

.

o n e side a nd h e r p at r o n s a i n t s o n t h e o th er
,
Wh e n .

h e r gu ar di a n a n g e l pr e s e n t e d h er at th is dre a d j udg
m e n t s e at sh e e xp e c t e d t o re c eive t h e s e n t e n c e o f
-
,

e t e rn a l co n d e mn at i o n s o aw ful w ere t h e w o rds o f

,

h e r Ju d ge and so d e s t i t u t e d i d sh e fe e l of a ll good
,

w orks . B u t s o e a rn e s t w ere th e i n t e rc e ssio n s of

M ary an d th os e of h e r p at ro n s ai n t s that at l e n gth ,

t h e Divine C o un t e n an c e of Chris t a ssum e d a n e xpr e s

sio n of merc y an d aft er b e s t o wi n g o n h er v ariou s
, ,
76 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I .

a dmo n i ti o n s H e dismiss e d h er w i t h a lovi n g e mbr a c e

,
.

We m ay fo rm some id e a o f th e al a rm wh ic h sh e su f
"

f e re d from t h e ci r cums ta n c e of h e r ill n e ss being s o

,

muc h i n cre a s e d th e r e b y that ab o u t nine O clock o n
,

t h e morn i n g of t h e fo ll o w i n g d ay Fa th er Capp e ll e tt i ,

h e r c o n fe ss o r th o ugh t i t r ight t o a dmi n is t e r Ex t reme

,

Un c t i o n aft e r c o mmu n ic at in g h e r .

A s i t m ay c o n duc e t o t h e i n s tr u c t i o n of o th e rs w e ,

w ill quo t e fr om t h e j o u r n a l wh ic h sh e w r o t e in 1 7 1 7 an ,

a c c o un t sh e give s of h e r visi o n of th e divi n e t ribu n a l .

Th e Divi n i ty It s e lf sh e d e cl ar e s
,
b e com e s a Mir r o r ,

t o th e so ul wh e r e i n sh e b e h olds h e rs e lf e x a c t l y a s sh e
,

is sh e s e e s n o t o n l y t h e st at e t o which sh e h as b e e n
r e duc e d b u t a ls o t h e c a uses wh ic h ha v e b r o ught h e r
,

t o i t Mi rr o r e d a s i t w e r e in t h e Divi n ity sh e s e e s
.
, , ,

h e rs e lf cov e r e d w i th d e l e m e n t and is h orr o r s trick e n

,
-

a t t h e sig ht Wh at w ould sh e n o t giv e t o b e able t o

.

h ide h e r s e lf in t h e e ar th an d ee away from t h e Ey e

,

of G o d which fulmin at e s v e n g e an c e ! Al l that s h e

,

s e e s of h e rs e lf im p e ls h e r t o y ; b u t thr ough t h e
j us t judgm e n t of God sh e s tand s th ere mu t e a nd i m

mov abl e I a m u n abl e e i th er b y w ords o r illus tra

.

t io n s t o d e sc rib e this t r e m e n d o us j udgmen t o w i n g t o ,

t h e fe a r an d t err o r wh ic h m y soul th en e xp e ri e n c e d .

Th e h um an mi n d is i n c ap abl e O f im agining suc h a

s c ene ; fo r al th o ugh w e w ere t o c o njur e up th e mos t
p ai n ful a nd t erric c o n c e p t i o n s w e s h o uld fall sh o r t ,

of t h e d r e a dful r e ality w it h wh ich h o w e v e r e ve ry

, , ,

o n e w ill o n e d ay be m a d e a c qu a i n t e d .

W e m ay i n fe r th e n at ure of t h e r e prim an ds wh ic h
s h e r e c eiv e d during th is visi o n fr o m what w e are abou t

t o r e l at e That s ame m o rn i n g havi n g s o m e what re

.
,

r e cov e r e d from h e r ill n e ss she t old he r confe ss o r that

,

s h e w is h ed t o sp ea k priv at e l y t o he r novic e s for tha t ,

 s VER ONI C A GIULIAN I
. . 77

on th e preceding d ay h er Divine Jud g e ha d m a de h er

a ware of th e fa ul t s of e a ch a nd also of h er o wn negli ,

gence in failing t o correc t th em F C appelle tt i g ave . .

h er permission t o do so a nd a d ded that i t sh ould b e ,

done in h is presence S o sh e c alled th em t o h er o n e

.

b y one a nd wh ispered in th e e ar of e a ch so e ffec t ivel y

,

that every one of th em burs t in t o a ood of t e ars .

T h e confessor did no t h e a r what sh e s aid t o th em indi

vidu all y abou t th eir defec t s bu t h e h e ard th e follo w ing ,

w ords wh ic h sh e a ddressed t o th em all collec tivel y

,

Do no t imi tat e me for I ha ve been a s t one of sc an

,

d ad in m y wh ole life wh e th er a s t o m y observa nce of

,

th e r ule or m y pra c t ice of obedience love and chari ty , ,

I have been th rough ou t full of pride a nd des ti t u t e

of h umili ty S h e concluded b y desiring th em t o
.

recommend h er t o our L ord a nd th e Blessed Virgin ,

that so h er sins might be forgiven an d sh e might re ,

c e iv e gr a ce a nd merc y A t th ese w ords th e sigh s o f

.

h er novices incre a sed a nd th ey implored h er w i th sob s

,

t o forgive th em for no t having follo w ed h er h ol y i n

s truc t i o n s a nd ex ample B u t Veronic a replied : B e
.

c areful of sm all th ings ; for before God th ese th ings

a re reckoned very di ff eren tl y from what w e might

im agine W h en sh e ha d closed h er conference w ith
.

t h e novices all th e o th er nuns w ere a nxious t o visi t h er

,

and t o all !w e re a d in th e above men tioned diary) -

sh e spoke very freel y w i th ou t h um a n respec t ; a nd

,

e a c h individu al derived gre at a dva n tage th erefrom .

Le t u s conclude our a ccoun t of th e o fces sh e s u cces

si ve l y lled I n M arch 1 7 1 6 i n th e fty six th y e ar o f
.
, ,
-

h er age sh e wa s obliged under obedience t o a ccep t th e

,

dig n i ty of abbess wh ich sh e re tained t ill h er de ath

,
.

T h rough ou t th is period th e rule w as mos t s t ric tly o b

ser ved a nd th e mos t perfec t ha rmon y prev ailed among
,
78 s VE R ON I C A GIULIANI
. .

th e religious a s wa s un animousl y att es t ed b y th em i n

,

th e process of h er c anonization so that th e conven t h ad

,

never before been so w ell governed and direc t ed Nor .

h ad th ere ever been a superior more h igh l y es t eemed

a n d v alued b y th e religious tha n sh e wa s S uch i s .

th e s tat emen t of Fath er T a ssin ari wh o w as confessor ,

t o th e communi ty for forty y e ars during wh ic h t ime ,

h e bec ame th orough l y a c qu ain t ed w i th i t a nd wa s ,

moreover one of V eronic a s p ar ticul ar direct ors T h e

.

s po t less t enor of h er life h er s anc ti ty a nd z e al for

,

th e observance of th e rule impressed al l th e nuns w i th ,

reverent i al fe ar ; wh ile at th e s ame t ime h er h umble

d epor t m en t h er love a nd m at ern a l solici t ude for
,

th em nourish ed in th eir minds a feeling of li al con

,

d e n c e t o wards h er a nd th e y ha d recourse t o h er
,

a s t o a n a ffec t ion at e p a ren t in all th eir spiri t u al dis

t resses cer tain of being kindl y lis t ened t o at a n y

,

h our and of being succoured a s occ asion re quired I f

,
.

o n e of th em wa s so cons t r a ined b y h um a n respec t or

b y t emp tat ion from th e devil a s t o att emp t t o conce al

h er s tat e V eronic a b eing e n light ened from above
, , ,

w ould go t o h er a ssis tance of h er o w n a ccord T h us .

i t happened one d ay t hat a nun wh o wa s l abo u ring ,

under h e a vy t emp tat ions a nd ha d conse quen tl y fallen

,

int o a con d ition of profound s a dness s h u t h erself up ,

s o that h er door could no t be opened from w i th ou t

V eronic a w h om no one ha d informed of this c ame t o

, ,

s e e h er a nd ha ving ob tained a dmission a ft er a good

,

de al of knocking m a de th e religious unders tand

,

in a very gen tle way th e decep t ion wh ic h S ata n ha d

been pr a c t ising on h er a nd also th e d anger of fall in g
, ,

t o which sh e ha d exposed h e rself b y failing t o men tio n

t h e t ri al s h e wa s undergoin g .

S is t er M ary Rose G o t o l o n i wa s ill of a very seriou s

 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. . 79

f ever, a nd being un able t o e at in conse quence of th e

n ause a wh ic h c a used h er t o lo ath e every kind of food ,

s h e fel t h erself becoming fa in t w i th ou t s t rength t o

h elp h erself or po w er t o c all for a ssis tance W h ile .

s h e wa s commending h erself t o God s h e be h eld h er ,

s a in tl y abbess en t ering th e roo m w i th some s w ee t me at s

I t seems t o me s aid th e l at ter

in h er ha nd .
,
that ,

y o u need refres h m en t ; e at
. A ccordingl y s h e at e
w i th consider able appe ti t e found h er s t reng th re t urn
, ,

wa s en t irel y free fro m all feeling of sickness a nd in a ,

s h or t t ime comple t el y res t ored t o h e al th .

V eronic a wa s p ar ticul arl y c areful t o m ain tain th e

s tric t observa nce of communi ty life wh ic h const i tu t es,

th e very soul of religious perfec t ion S h e w ould never.

permi t a n y di fference t o be m a de in th e t re at men t of

individu als excep t in th e c a se of illness F or th is
,
.

purpose sh e se t th em a n ex ample in h er o w n perso n 3

for al th ough s h e wa s abbess sh e w ould su ffer no d i s
,

t inc t ion t o be m a de in h er cell or clo th ing or food

, , ,

bu t w ould j oin th e o th ers in performing th e

me anes t o fces suc h a s wa s hing dis h es in th e ki t c h en
, ,

&c . Hence h er subjec t s w ere a s hamed of being more

fas tidious tha n th eir abbess a nd submi tt ed w i th a
,

g ood gr a ce t o th e punc t u a l fullme n t of communi ty

d u t ies
.

Experience t e ac h es us that i t is in v ain for a su

perior t o be z e alous for regul a r observ ance unless in ,

a ddi t ion t o th e good ex a mple of wh ic h w e ha ve spoke n ,

s h e is c a reful t o gu ard ag a ins t a sc arci ty of provision s

or o th er n e cess aries allo w ed b y th e ins t i tu t e wh ic h ,

migh t res ul t from h er indolence or negligence O ur .

e xcel len t a bbess wa s w ell awa re of th is a nd being no t ,

onl y ins tigat ed b y a spiri t of c hari ty bu t like wise ,

e l l
p e d b y prud e nc e a nd w ell regul at ed energy t ook
-
,
80 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

gre at p ains t o have h er community w ell provi d ed wi th

what ever th e rule o f th eir profession permitt ed in t h e ,

way of die t clo th es and m edicine

,
T h e convent
,
.

buildings bein g on a n ex tremel y sm all sc ale i t wa s ,

o n e of h er rs t pl a ns a s soon a s sh e wa s m a de abbess
, ,

t o enl arge th e ed i ce 3 a ccordingl y sh e cont rived in ,

th e rs t y e ars of h er superiorsh ip t o a dd t o i t b y , ,

me ans of volun tary con tribu tions a long dormit ory ,

wh ic h m ay be seen t o th is d ay n amel y th e o n e ,

on th e right hand side of th e c hapel dedic at ed

t o our Blessed Lad y of t h e Ros ary T hus wa s .

veried a predic tion wh ic h ha d been m a de tw elve

y e ars before sh e bec ame superior b y F U b aldo .

An t onio C appelletti a w or thy O r at ori an at that

, ,

t ime confessor t o th e communi ty He ha d c aused .

th e above men tioned chapel t o be buil t w i th S is t er

-

F lorid a C e o l i s do w er ; a nd wh en i t wa s nish ed

th ere is a t r a di tion a mo n g th e nuns that h e s aid :

Would that I w ere a s cer tain that th e g at e s

of P ar a dise w ill be Opened for me a s that h ere
! a nd h e m a rked th e spo t t o th e rig ht of th e c ha pel )

a door w il l be opened a nd a long dorm i t ory be ,

cons truc t ed V eronic a proved h im t o be a t rue
.

proph e t .

T h e way in wh ic h sh e procured a suppl y of wat er

wa s b y no me ans less rem ark able n ay perhaps even ,

more so Every one kno w s h o w muc h th e wa n t

.

of th is commodi ty is fel t in a communi ty especi all y ,

in one of nuns Before V eronic a wa s abbess all th e

.
,

wat er used in th e es tablish men t ha d t o be dr aw n a nd

c arr ied round b y hand for th e ki t ch en th e in r m ary , ,

th e garden &c t o th e gre at inconvenience of th e

, .
,

good religious Bu t wh en sh e wa s r aised t o th is dig

.

n i ty sh e ob ta ined from th e h onour able fa mil y Of Vi t elli

,
 B O O! II .

C ON T A I N I N G AN A C C OU N T OF T H E E XTRA ORDL
NA R! G RA C E S B ! M EAN S O F W HI C H S H E W A S
R A I S E D D U R I N G T H E L A S T T HI R T ! F 1 VE ! EAR S
-

O F H E R L I F E T O T H E HIGH E S T D E G R EE O F
S AN C T I T! AN D R EN D E R E D T H E L I V I N G I M AG E
,
.

O F JE S U S C R U C I F I E D
.
86 s VERONICA
. G IULIAN I .

d e rfu l effec t s of h eroic vir tu e wh ic h in h er c ase pro

,

d u ce d V isions a nd m arvellous gift s suc h a s could no t ,

have origin at ed in an y o th er tha n a divine an d super

n at ur al source .

Dow n t o th e y e ar 1 6 93 wh ic h wa s th e th irty th ird

,
-

of V eronic a s age th e even t s of h e r life progressed in
,

th e m anner alre ad y described i n o ur rs t book It

.

wa s n o w th e Will of Al mighty God t o draw h er int o

a more intim at e union w i th H imself a nd t o r aise h er
'

t o a more sublime degree of s anc t i ty He a ccordingl y .

bega n t o bes t o w on h er th e r ares t gr aces in order t o ,

mould h er in t o a closer likeness of His onl y bego tt en -

S on Wh o is th e Model of all th e predes tin at e and

, ,

especi all y of th e s ain t s A t th e time t o wh ic h w e have

.

j us t referred V eronic a wa s favoured w ith a vision

, ,

wh erei n sh e be h eld a m yst en o u s c halice wh ich sh e ,

recognised a s a pres age of th e divine P a ssion that

wa s t o be re en a c t ed so t o spe ak in h er Own person
'

-
.
, ,

Th is vision wa s repe at ed several times in successive

y e ars w ith v a rious modic ations A t one t ime th is
,
.

c halic e wa s prese n t ed t o h er V ie w on a bright cloud ,

s urrounded w i th splendour at a no th er t ime u n ac c o m

,

p an i e d b y a n y orn a men t 3 some t imes th e li q uid i t

con tained seemed t o be bubblin g up within i t ; at
o th er t imes i t w ould boil over t o a consider able ex

t en t a nd occ a sion ally i t w ould fal l drop b y drop

, .

T h e spiri t of our S ain t wa s al way s re a d y t o drain th e

chalice t o th e dregs bu t h er lo w er n ature sh runk
,

wi th h orror at th e sight a s did our divin e Redeemer

,

i n th e g arden of Ge th sem ane A ccordin gly sh e s e t

.

h erself t o subdue th e resis tance of th e es h b y me ans

of severe pen ance as w e shall presen tl y expl ain A t
, .

le n gth h er n ature ce ased t o feel repugn ance bu t sh e ,

w ro t e a s follo w s I do no t trus t i t for I kno w that it ,

 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. . 87

is no t a s y e t de ad I ha ve al ways fo u n d m y soul re a d y
.
u ,

a n d even a nxiousl y desirous t o s ha re in that bi tt er ,

dr aught in order t o a ccomplis h th e Will of God

, .

S ome t imes sh e con tinues
,

I fel t suc h longings that
,

I excl ai med Oh wh en w ill th e h o urzc o m e my G o d i n

, , ,

wh ic h T h ou w il t gra nt me t o drink of T hy c halice !

I resign myself en t irel y t o Th y Will bu t T h ou alone ,

sees t m y thi rs t Siti o I thi rs t no t for consol at ion

.

,

bu t for su fferings a nd afflic t ions I seemed inc ap able .

of enduring fur th er del ay O ne night wh en I wa s .

rap t in pray er our L ord appe ared t o me w i th th e

,

c halice in His ha nd a nd s aid t o me T h is is for th ee

, , ,

a nd I give i t th ee in order that th ou m ay es t ta s t e of

i t a s muc h a s I have bu t no t no w ,
Prep are thyself .
,

for in due se a son th ou s hal t p artake Of i t I mme .

d i at e l y a ft er th es e w ords He v a nis h ed le aving th e ,

c halice so vividl y imprin t ed on m y mind that from

that h our t o this i t h as never l eft me .

It wa s on th is occ a sion that our L ord signi ed t o

h er th e dre adful su fferings wh ic h sh e w ould have t o
undergo in mind a nd bod y no t o n l y from th e insu l t s
,

a nd t emp tations wh ich demoni a c al m alice ha d in s t ore

f o r h er bu t like w ise from th e false a ccus at ions atta cks
, , ,

a n d con t emp t of h er fello w cre at ures a nd l a s tl y fro m

-
, ,

God Himself in th e ex treme desol at ion and dry ness

of spiri t wh ic h wa s a ppoin t e d h er To all th is th e .

generous virgin Off ered h erself a w illing s acric e .

O ur mos t Blessed La dy th e !ueen of Dolo u rs t o, ,

ge th er wi th o th er s ain t s a ssis t ed in in spiring h er w i th

,

c our age t o a ccep t h er cup of bi tt erness During th e .

n ight of th e solemn fe a s t of h er A ssump t ion th e Hol y ,

Virgin a nd h er di vine S on appe ared t o V eronic a .

O ur S aviour Wh o wa s se at ed on a m ajes t ic throne

, ,

i n His r a di a n t glory presen t ed t o His Mo th er 3

,
.
88 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

c halice full t o overow i n g M ary received i t and .

, ,

t urning t o our S a in t s aid My d au ght er I m ake
, , ,

th ee th is presen t in th e N ame of m y S on ! A t th e
s a me t ime th e tw o s ain t ed virgins C ath erine of S ien a ,

and Rose of Lim a wh o att ended in th e t ra in Of th e

,

! ueen of He a ven m a d e signs t o,

V eronic a t o a ccep t
Aft er wards on th e night of th e 2 8th of Augus t th e
, ,

fe a s t of S August ine sh e ag ain beh eld Jesus C h ris t

.
,

on His th rone of glory ; a nd that h oly Doc t or of th e

C hurch wh o wa s th ere w i th m an y o th er blessed spiri ts
,
.

att ending our L ord t urned t o V eronic a with a chalice

, ,

in h is hand T h is h e s aid
. is in d eed a precious
, ,

gift for i t is presen t ed t o th e e b y God Himself
,
At .

that momen t th e con t en t s of th e c halice beg an t o boil

over on every side a nd being received b y angels int o
,

V essels of gold w ere presen t ed at th e th rone of our

,

L ord T h en V eronic a a sked for a n expl an at ion of th e

.

vision a nd wa s informed that th e rich li quid signied

,

th e su fferings t o be endured b y h er for th e love of

God and that th e golden vessels w ere me an t t o deno t e
,

th e precious n ature of th ose su fferin gs .

Bu t th e follo w ing Vision wh ic h s hall be rel at ed in ,

h er o w n w ords wa s more t ouch ing a nd efc acious

,

tha n th ose w e have alre a dy men t ioned Findin g

m y self overwh elmed w i th a ngu ish sh e s ays so that , ,

I fel t hardl y able t o s ta nd I w en t t o th e c hurch an d , ,

pros tr atin g m yself before th e Mos t Hol y I Offered ,

m yself once more unreservedl y t o Him S uddenl y I .

fel t some what recollec t ed that i s r ap t ou t of m y self , , ,

and our L ord presen t ed Himself t o m e I c anno t .

expl ain h o w th is c ame t o p a ss I onl y kno w that H e .

s aid t o me T ake courage a nd fe ar n o t ; I am h ere t o

, ,

a ssis t th ee 3 be h old Me

Wi th th ese w ords H e c aused
.

m e t o see th e condi t ion of His S a cred H um an i ty

90 s VERONICA GIULIAN I
. .

t o pu t h er in t o th e hands o fjph ysi c i an s S h e promp tly

.

obey ed no t being w illing t o say a n yth ing abou t th e

,

s upern at ur a l c ause of h er m al a dies . T h ree diff eren t

k inds of medicine w ere a dmi nis t ered t o h er bu t th e y ,

a l l occ a sioned h er th e mos t dre a dful t ormen t an d sh e ,

h ad no sooner s wallo w ed o n e than sh e wa s forced t o

r ej ec t i t .S h e writ es a s follo w s Every d ay that
th ese th ree remedies w ere t ried seem ed likel y t o be th e
,

l as t of m y life so
g re at wa s th e violence wh ic h I
ha d t o use t o wards my self in order t o take th em that ,

I fel t re a dy t o burs t a sunder . And y e t sh e never
m anifes t ed th e le a s t repugn ance 3 on th e cont r ary sh e ,

w en t on repe ating t o our L ord from h er h e ar t th e

w ords : Sitio I th irs t I thirs t a nd h er desire wa s
, ,

g r at ied for
,
h er medic al att end a n t ha ppening t o en t er
th e room j us t a s sh e ha d been forcibly compelled t o
r ej ec t one O f th ese doses ,
h e wis h ed h er t o take
ano th er i mm edi at el y whic h sh e a ccordingl y did a nd
, ,

i t prod uced t h e s ame e ffec t a s th e preceding one .

T h e demons me a nwhil e t ook c are t o ful l th e p ar t

w h ic h Ve ro m c a ha d been warned I n th e V ision t o
,

e xpec t . O ne night th ey pl a ced h er in a b ath of icy

c oldness a nd kep t h er th ere for tw o h ours
,
Wh en i t
.

was over s h e wa s senseless a nd mo t ionless T h e in .

rm ari an s having found h er in th is s tat e ende avoured,

during no less t h an f o ur h ours t o res t ore h er b y me a ns

Of re a nd h e at ed clo th es a s w ell a s b y res t or at ives
, ,

bu t thi s only a dded t o h er su fferings A t o th er t imes

.

th e devil s w ould atta ck h er innocence b y assum ,

ing th e forms Of y oung men or w o ul d att emp t t o

,

t errify h er b y appe ari ng as t erric spectres or w ould ,

s ugges t th e mos t wicke d misrepresentations of th e

r eligious s tat e ,
wh ic h th e y port r ay ed a s a sort of
h ell a ccusing th e s acred habit sh e w ore a s th e c aus e
,
 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 91

ofh er e t ern al condemn at ion T h e y w en t so far as t o.

bind h er w i th c hains 3 th e y s truck h er fre quen tl y a nd ,

e xpressed th eir desire t o dr a g h er away w i th th em ,

c alling ou t w i th infern al merrimen t T h ou art ours , ,

th ou art ours 1 T h ough so grievousl y afic t ed th is ,

ge n erous soul wa s invincible 3 sh e even invi t ed th em

t o t ormen t h er fur th er a nd t o tr y h er t o th e ver y
,

u t mos t permi tt ed th em b y G o d
C ome th en sh e .
,

s aid ,
be h old I a m re ad y t o su ffer all ; a nd if y ou are
,

e nde a vourin g t o riv a l e a c h o th er in inic t ing t ormen t s

.
u pon me ,
h ere I a m prep ared t o con t end wi th y ou .

S e e h o w y ou c a n t ort ure me a nd se e h o w I c a n be a r
,

it . C ome th en 3 th e more y ou hara ss me th e be tt er ,

s hall I be ple a sed Blessed blessed be th e cross !

.
,

Blessed be su ffering ! An d th en w ith more fur y ,

than ever h er foes rus h ed upon h er like so m an y

,

rabid dogs wh ile sh e con t en t edly dr a nk h er c halice Of

,

bi tt erness .

Bu t h er mos t severe t ri al and mos t bi tt er chalice

wa s what c ame t o h er from God Himself F or t h e .

purpose of proving th e fort itude a nd delit y of h er

soul He wa s ple a sed t o w i th dr aw Himself from h er at
, ,

le a s t in appe ara nce for in re ality He wa s ne arer t o h er

,

than ever wi th His gr a ce a nd th e e y e of His merc y ,

was no less cons tan t l y upon h er reg arding h er w i th ,

incre as ed s at isfa c t ion S h e expresses h erself on th is

.

s ubj ec t t o th e follo w ing e ffec t : All m y o th er t ri als
w ere no th ing comp ared w i th that wh ic h I su ffered
,

in t eriorly fors aken ab andoned a nd environed w i th

, ,

th ick d arkness ; pl a ced moreover at so gre at a di s tance

from God that I fel t inc ap able of bre athi ng forth a
,

s in gle a spir at ion t o th e L ord Oh what in t olerable .

,

a ngu is h is th is t o a so u l t o nd h erself deprived of

,

e very suppor t a nd b a nis h ed from h er h ig h es t good !

,
92 s . vE RONI CA GIULIANI .

S h e sigh s bu t is no t h e ard 3 sh e c alls t o h er He avenly

,

S pouse bu t He comes no t 3 sh e seeks Him bu t H e

, ,

ies from h er ; sh e pr ay s t o Him bu t He wil l no t h e ar

,

h er . T h us wa s m y spiri t t roubled ; i t seems t o me

that th e agon y of de ath c anno t be w orse tha n what

I th en endured .L e t us h ere rem ark th e proofs
wh ic h Al mighty God ga ve of His especi al presence

T h e onl y refresh men t I had sh e con tinues ,

wa s ,

t o beh old th e c halice dr awing cons tan tl y ne arer t o

me . I seemed t o be lled wi th ab h orrence for
everyth ing that th e t emp t er s e t before me 3 I despised
h is art i c e s a nd repe at edly taxed h im w i th h is false
,

h oods 3 I decl ared t o h im that I wa s misled b y none

of th em 3 I professed m y self con t en t in a ccomplish ing
th e Will of God W h o is m y absolu t e M a st er
,
.

Blessed be God Everyth ing seems l i ttle that is e n

d u red for His love Blessed be th e simple cross
. .

Blessed be pure su ffering ! Beh old I am re a d y t o ,

be ar all in order t o ple a se m y de ar L ord a nd t o pro

, ,
:

mo t e th e fullmen t Of His divine Will .

C HAPTER II .

VERONICA Is M AD E TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR B L E SS ED

SAVIOUR S CRO W NING W ITH TH ORNs THE SEVERE .

.

PAIN S W HICH THIS CAUSED H ER AND H ER SU F ,

F E RI NG S F R O M TH E REMEDIES To W HICH H E R SU

PE RI ORS RE !UIRED H E R T O SUBMIT .

WHEN V eronic a ha d been prep ared b y fre quent

v isions of th is bi tt er c halice t o drink i t w i th u nre

s erved generosi ty our L ord beg a n t o b e s t o w on h er a

,
94 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

A s soon a s I c ame t o m yself s h e writ es I found
, ,

that m y h e a d wa s s w ollen a nd r a cked w i th suc h ex

c e ssi ve p ain that I could ha rdl y s tand F eeling u tt erl y
.

i n c ap able of encoun t ering a n y fatigue I a ddressed our ,

L ord th us wi th th e gre at es t c o n d e n c e I implor e

this boon of T h ee m y God 3 if i t be T hy Wil l gran t

, ,

me su i c ie n t s treng th t o go th rough all m y l abours

a nd du ties a nd permi t th ese gr a ces wh ic h T h ou ha s t
,

j us t bes t o wed on me t o be kep t secre t for ever Im .

medi at el y I fel t m y s t reng th re turn a nd I could hav e

,

done an ythi ng Bu t th e a gon y inic t ed b y th e th orn s

.

con t inued and wh enever I bo w ed m y h e a d th e t or tur e

,

wa s s o a cu t e that I seemed re a dy t o expire L e t me .

be ar all for t h e love of God everything seems li ttl e

or no th ing that is endured for His love .

Her pr ay er a nd i t s immedi at e effec t corroborat e o u r

rem arks a s t o th e re ality Of h er gift s I n a no th er .

p ar t of h er j ourn al sh e writ es a s follo w s of th e repe t i ~

t io n s of that p ainful coron at ion

S ever al times wh en I wa s engaged in pr ayer wi th ,

some desire for s u ffering I s u ddenl y fel t th e th orns

,

piercing me so violen tly that I fell t o th e ground w i th

p ain remaining th ere for a consi derable sp a ce Of t im e
,

unconscious and a s if de a d B y what I su ffered I

.

wa s en abled t o conceive th e over wh elming t ormen t s .

of our Redeemer wh en He wa s cro wned w i th th orns .

Th e th ought of th is m a de me s till more anxious t o

su ff er a nd again I fel t a s i t w ere a n invisible hand
,

pressin g th e cro w n upon me O n ano th er occ a sion

.
,

during a sort of ecs tas y th e v alue of su ffering was

,

m a de kno w n t o me 3 a nd whil s t I fel t th e rene w ed

pressure of th e th orns every w o und th e y inic t ed
,

seemed t o c all aloud for fres h t ormen t s O ur L ord .

wa s fre qu en tl y ple ased t o a ssure me in V isions of th e

 S . VE R ONI CA GIULIAN I . 95

u nders tanding that I wa s His beloved : a nd i t seemed

t o me that He w o ul d t th e cro w n on m y bro w a nd

for m y gre at er s at isfa c tion press i t ve h emen tl y in t o ,

m y esh T h en ecs ta s y w ould be a dded t o re c o l l e c

.
e

t ion and I received suc h in t im at e revel at ions a s t o th e

,

precious n at ure of su ff ering that I a m un able t o ex ,

press th em ade qu at el y Al l th is c aused me t o long so

.

muc h for sufferings that wh en m y senses re t urned I

g ave my self up t o th e use of th e discipline and v ariou s :

descrip t ions of pen a nce sc arcel y conscious of wha t I ,

did . T h e u tmos t p ain that I inic t ed on my self

seemed little or noth ing : everyth in g in amed m y
desire for su ffering E a c h cross seemed t o invit e me
.

t o h e ar ano th er T h e P a ssion Of m y Redeemer w as so

.
;

deepl y engr aven on m y h e ar t that I fre quen tly fain t ed

away for anguis h .

T h e z e al w i th which in th e mids t of h er su fferings

, ,

sh e burned for th e glor y of God a nd for th e conver

sion of sinners furnish es us wi th a n a ddit ion al proo f

,

that th e w onders w e have been con t empl at ing w ere th e

w ork of God It is th us that S h e con t inues : Th e an
.

guish whi ch I endured c aused me t o feel such comp a ssion

for all sinners that I o ffered t o th e E t ern al Fath er fo r
,

th eir conversion al l th e su ff erings of Jesus t oge th e r ,

w i th all H ismerit s and th ose of th e mos t h ol y V irgin ;

e arnes tl y praying that I might su ff er more decl aring ,

t o th e L ord that I desired t o a c t a s medi at rix be tw een

Himself and sinners and conj uring Him t o a dd t o m y
,

p ains T hat very momen t I fel t a rene wal of agon y

.

from my cro w n of th o rns no t onl y round my h e a d as , ,

I ha d been a ccus t omed t o do b u t like wise all th rough ,

i t and th us for several h ours I w en t on rejoicing amid

a th ous and t orment s A fe w d ay s have el apsed since
.

th is occurred t o me bu t at th e t ime of wh ic h I h ave

 96 s . VERONICA GI U LIAN I .

s poken I received no t ice that th e wh ole of th is L ent

,

wa s t o be p a ssed b y me in perpe t u al su ffering Praise .

be t o God ; all is t oo li ttle t o be ar for His love .

Me an wh ile I unce asingl y repe at Blessed be th e C ross !

Blessed be su ffering ! I wis h for no th ing bu t th e Will

O f God ; I a m s at ised w i th what is His divine ple a

s ure 3 beh old I a m prep ared for everyth i ng
, .

It appe ars fro m h er o wn a ccount s a nd fro m th ose

o f h er comp a nions that s h e con t inued t o enjo y th ese

favours for suc h th ey mus t indeed be t ermed during

, ,

th e en tire rem ainder Of h er life that is t o s ay for , ,

t h ir ty four or thi r ty ve consecu t ive y e ars

- -
We m ay .

infer fro m wh at sh e wro t e tw elve ye ars a ft er h er rs t

coron at ion that th e p ain a nd th e punc tures :th en i n

,

ict e d w ere perm a nen t a nd w ere fel t b y h er more

,

or less a cu t el y S h e was a ccus t omed t o feel th em

.

e speci all y on all F rid ay s a s w ell a s during th e se a sons

,

O f th e c arni v al a nd L en t bu t s t ill more p ar t icul arl y

,

d uring Hol y Week A n d w onderful t o rel at e no t

.
,

wi th s tanding th e faint ness wh ic h rendered h er sc arcel y

,

able t o support h erself on h er fee t s h e wa s endo w ed ,

wi th such supern atural s trength that sh e was able t o

t r ans a c t all h er business a nd t o full all h er du t ies ,

whi le h er desire for fres h t ormen t s wa s so in t ense

t hat Sh e repe at ed aga in a nd a g ain
My L ord if i t
,

i s T h ou Wh o thus af i c t e st me le t T hy H a nd fall s till

,

more h e avil y upon me t o th e end that I m ay feel

,

m ore p ain .

Wh en h er direc t ors w ere informed of what S h e ha d

undergone th e y commissioned S is t er F lorid a C e o l i t o
,

ex amine h er h e a d a nd t o see if th ere w ere a ny V isible

,

m arks t o indic at e th e cro w n of th orns 3 a nd th e

follo win g s tat emen t was m ade upon o ath b y that
r eligious in th e process of our S a in t s c a noni zat ion

.
98 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

p art and in t ru th sh e rem a ined a s s t ill a s if sh e ha d

,

been insen sible 3 so that afte fward s M assan i h er medi ,

c al att en d a n t O bserve d that h e seemed t o have bee n

,

o per at in g on a s tat ue Wi th in a fe w d ay s i t bec am e

.

n ecess ary t o close th e issue in h er h e a d bec a use i t onl y ,

s erved t o incre a se h er p a in t o suc h a degree that S h e

wa s un able t o spe ak or t o res t h er s w ollen h e a d on

,

h er pillo w A no th er h o t iron wa s applied t o h er neck

.

ins t e ad bu t a s i t c aused suc h violen t irri tat ion of th e

,

nerves a s t o preclude th e possibility of repose ei th er

b y night or d ay th e surgeons w ere obliged t o close
,

t hat w ound a lso .

T h e p hysici an th en th ought i t expedien t t o t ry th e

e ffec t Of a se t on in h er neck T his wa s a n oper at ion
.

fre q uentl y resor t ed t o in th e medic al pr a c tice of th ose

t imes and consis t ed in perfor ating th e Skin w i th a
,

o o d siz e d needle or some o th er ins t rumen t of s t eel

g
h e at ed red h o t b y me ans of wh ic h a kno t of co tt on
-
,

wa s in t roduced and permi tt ed t o rem ain th ere i n

o rder t o keep up a species of running w ound O ne .

m ay e a sil y conceive h o w ex tremel y p a inful suc h a pro

c ess mus t be T h e nuns w ere so t imid that th e y could
.

n o t bring th emselves t o render th e le a s t a ssis ta nce or ,

e ven to ha nd th e h e at ed needle t o th e surgeon so th e ,

p at ien t performed that Ofce h erself al th oug h sh e wa s ,

w ell aware that this oper at ion w ould cos t h er far more
p a in tha n th e h o t irons ha d done S h e endured . i t
w i th h er usu al cour age a nd c almness a nd decl ared ,

wh en i t wa s over that th e onl y faul t sh e could nd

w i th i t wa s i t s speed y t ermin at ion Aft er a S h ort .

t ime th e kno t having broken tw o Simil ar se t ons w ere

, ,

a pplied t o h er e ars Bu t a s th e cold wh ic h sh e fel t

.

in t ern all y cont inued u n d im in sh e d and a s no thing ,

s eemed t o relieve th e p ain of h er w ounded h e a d th e y ,

 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. . 99

c hanged th eir pl a ns a nd c au t eri z ed h er arm B ut a s .

this onl y aggr avat ed h er su fferings by occ a sioning

violen t convulsions a nd s wellings bo th i n h er arm and
leg i t wa s necess ary t o permi t th e es h t o h e al T h e
,
.

medic al professors w ould no t h o wever a ckno wledge

, ,

th emselves defe at ed 3 and t wice more th e y t ormen t ed

h er b y applying se t ons t o h er e ars Bu t discovering
.

at l as t tha t no remedy wa s of a ny av ail bu t that th ei r

,

effor t s t o bene t h er ha d o nl y m a de m att ers w orse ,

th e y pro t es t ed that th eir science ha d no po w er t o cure

dise a ses of that n ature T h erefore th e bis h op an d th e
.

confessors of V eronic a w ere convinced that i t wa s th e

H and of God wh ic h had w rought th us on His h ighly
favoured serva n t a nd th e y commi tt ed h er t o th e
,

po w er of h er L ord Wh ose Will i t wa s b y me ans of

,

th ese privil eges t o c a use h er t o resemble Himself .

C H APTER III .

SH E I S PR OM O T E D T O H EAVE NLY E SP OU S AL S T H E .

M ANN ER IN W HI C H O U R L O R D P RE PA RE D AN D

C ON D U C T E D T H E M .

THAT mos t in t im at e union th e resul t O f perfec t love

, ,

whic h ta kes pl a ce be tw een th e soul a nd h er God is ,

described in th e p ages of Hol y Wri t b y th e ti tle of

Espous als . Thr ough ou t th e book of C an t icles th e ,

divine S piri t represen t s t o us b y th e mou th of S O10

mon that burning in t erco urse of love wh ic h is ex
changed be t ween a h ol y so ul a nd h er L ord wh o a re ,

in troduced t o our con t empl ation under th e gure of a

devo t ed bridegroo m and bride Jesus C hris t Him
.

self moreover in th e G ospel of S M atth e w se t s

, ,
.
,

7
2
 1 00 s . VERONIC A GIULIANI .

before us a pic ture of th ose wise virgins wh o are bo th

invi t ed a nd a dmi tt ed to th e h e a venl y nup ti als It ha s .
:

some times ple ased our L ord in th e c a se of certain nobl e ,

souls t o celebr at e th ese spiri tu al nup ti als w i th V isible

,
.

Signs a nd wi th ext ern al ri t es an alogo u s t o th ose wh ic h

,

a re pra c tised b y mor tals on th eir brid al d ay It hap .

p ened th us t o S C ath erine Of S ien a and t o a fe w more

.
,

s a in t s of th e h igh es t r ank O ur V eronic a wa s one o f .

th ese favoured souls I n th e preceding c hap t er w e

.

s aw from h er o w n a ccoun t that on th e occ a sion o f

h er being cro w ned with th orns our L ord m a de ,

h er unders tand that i t wa s a t oken of His desire t o

espouse h er A n d t rul y wh en h er bro ws w ere e u
.
,

circled w i th His o w n di adem sh e was con sidered b y ,

th e divine ! in g of M ar tyrs w or thy t o be His bride .

Neverth eless in order t o render h er s till more deserving

,

of a digni ty so ex al t ed He wa s ple a sed t o prep are h er

,

for i t b y me ans of m an y o th er gra cious visions .

O ne morning sh e decl ares ,
I wa s a ssis ting at ,

h ol y M a ss and bec ame suddenl y much absorbed M y

,
.

h e a rt wa s t ouch ed and in amed wi th a gre at desire t o

,

b e en t irel y uni t ed t o God All at once i t seemed a s i f

'

God wi th dre w from me th e u se of m y ex t ern al senses ,

a nd informed me b y me ans of a n in t erior communic at ion

that He wa s abou t t o m ake me His o wn b y espousing
me t o Himself T his a ssur ance c a used m y h e art t o le ap
.

for j oy and I fel t as i t w ere on re A t th e s ame t ime i t

,
.

wa s given me t o unders tand th e wh ole process throug h

wh ich I wa s t o p a ss b y way of prep ar at ion and wh ic h ,

wa s t o be one O f pure suffering T h ese be au t iful .

t idings i ncre a sed m y longing t o su ffer .

S h e th en goes on t o decl are that aft er th is vision

th e mere repe tition of th e w ords My mos t divine ,

J e su s Spouse Of m y soul w ould th ro w h er in t o such
, ,
1 02 S VER ONICA GIULIANI
. .

fee t I n that of His s a cred S ide I beh eld a mos t lovely

.

j e w el on wh ic h He seemed t o look w ith ple asure I

,
.

fel t ex tremel y an xious t o kno w wh o ha d presen t ed

Him w i th s o c h oice a gift He tu rned t o wards me and
.

in quired if I recogni z ed i t To wh ich I replied I

.
,

do no t kno w bu t I th ink a loving soul mus t have

,
'

O e re d T h ee some p ar t icul a r su fferi n g for I perceive ,

that i t comes from th e t re a sury of sufferings I th ought .

tha t our L ord ans w ered me o yfu l l y ! no w th en M y , ,

belove d that th ou ha s t a fforded Me th is gratic at ion

,

b y thy su fferings of th e l a s t tw o d ay s Every t ime .

that th ou dids t repe at th e decl aration that th ou hads t

n o o th er wil l bu t Mine a nd ever y t ime that th ine a c t
,

of re srgn ati o n was rene w ed th ou dids t give be au ty t o

,

M y h ol y Wounds 3 a nd of all th y su ff erings t oge th er I

have formed this j ew el wh ic h I keep in My S id e a nd
, ,

on whic h I look wi th th e gre at es t ple asure Never shall .

I ce a se t o be h old i t an d w ith loving ey es I s hall se e

,

i t gro w cons tan tly more and more be au t iful No w .

th ou m ay es t indeed compre h end h ow de a r t o Me is

thy suffering ! B y th ese w ords He enkindled w i th in

me a burning desire for every kind of su ff ering a nd I ,

appe ared t o answ er Him th us I am re a d y O my G o d

, ,

t o be s a criced a s a vic tim on th e al tar of Thy cros s .

I wis h t o be crucied w i th Th ee C ause me t o undergo .

all that T h ou ha s t en d ured for me bu t in th is a s in , ,

everyth ing else I commi t myself to T hy h ol y Will

, .

Hereupon our L or d seemed t o bend dow n a nd embra ce

m y so ul bes t o wing one divine kiss whi c h r aised me
, ,

t o a s tat e Of r ap ture Thi s occupied onl y a brief sp ace

.

of t ime bu t i t su fced t o uni t e m y soul t o God

,

in a m anner wh ic h I have never before experienced .

T h e communic ations th en vouch s a fed t o me w ere

v a rious 3 th e princip al wa s a solemn contra c t o f
 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I . 1 03

be tro thal I c anno t describe what I fel t

. Wh e n .

w e re t urn t o ourselves aft er suc h communic at ions as

th ese w e are en abled t o for m a lively ide a of t h e
,

unt old t re a sures wh ic h lie conce aled bene ath crosses ,

m o rti c at i o n s h umili at ions a nd th e con t emp t of o u r

, ,

fello w cre atures

-
S uc h a re th e lessons wh ich o n e
.

le arns in th e sc h ool of divine love .

We s h ould no t omi t t o men t ion th at tw o d ays

before th e vision n arr at ed above on th e fe as t o f ,

our La dy s An nunci ation th e gr a cious Virgin was

ple a sed t o h onour V eronic a w i th h er presence t o ,

give h er no t ice of h er appro a c h ing espous als a nd ,

t o prep are h er for that h igh digni ty It wa s b y .

me ans of a n in t ellec t u al V ision a s our S ain t t erms i t , ,

that sh e beh eld th e !ueen of Angels on a m agnicen t

th rone att ended on one side b y S C a t h erine O f
, .

S ien a a nd on th e o th er b y S Rose of L im a T h ese

,
. .

tw o s aint s w ere imploring M ary t o ob t a in for h e r

servan t th e e arnes tl y desired favour of being espoused
t o h er divine S on To th is th e Blessed Virgi n
.

gra ciousl y a ns w ered that th eir pe ti t ion w ould s h or tl y

be gr a n t ed A t th e s ame t ime V eronic a perceived
.

that th e Mo th er of God h eld in h er ha nd a mos t

be au tiful ring s ayi n g that i t wa s s h or tly t o be h ers
, ,

a nd th erefore that sh e mus t prep are h ers elf for th e

celes ti al union wh ic h awai t ed h er .

And th en a dds V eronic a sh e t urned t o wards
, ,

th e tw o s ain t s a nd t old me that I wa s t o imi tat e

,

th em i n th e pra c tice of th e mos t h eroic virtues ,

especi all y in h umili ty charity a nd kno wledge Of self

, ,
.

And wh ile sh e th us a ddressed me s h e seemed t o ,

bes t o w on me in t eriorl y th ose very V irtues and th e ,

priceless tre a sure wh ic h is h idden in th em .

S ince that d ay I have lived a s i t w ere ou t of my self ,

1 04 s VERONICA GIULI ANI
. .

an d have al way s h ad an intim at e sense of th e presence

of God .

S O t ime p a ssed o n t il l th e t en th of April wh ic h ,

happened that y e ar t o be Hol y S at urd ay D uring th e .

wh ole of L en t S h e ha d exercised h erself i n th e mos t

c ruel aus t eri ties wh ic h w e s hall no t rel at e in th is pl a ce
,

for fe ar of in t errup ting th e th re a d of our n arr ative .

O n th e morning of Hol y S aturd ay our divine S aviour

o nce more a ppe a red t o h er in all His glor y He i n .

v i t e d h er t o His h e avenl y nup t i als on th e follo wing

morning and at th e s ame t ime s h o w ed h er th e m ar

,

ri a e ring
g M a.rk w ell th e follo w ing proofs of th e

t ru th of th is vision I wa s like w ise informed S h e

wri t es,
that i t wa s necess a ry for me t o p a ss through
a process of complet e rene wal A ne w rule of life wa s.

given me ; I wa s t o inic t on m y self gre at er au ste

ri t i e s 3 I wa s t o be more silen t 3 I wa s t o w ork wi th

m ore fe rvoiI r a nd love t o do everyth ing wi th a pure

,

in t en tion t o h onour Jesus by denying every n atur al

,

inclin ation t o embra ce all that is opposed t o n ature

, ,

t o y from th e praise of m a n t o c h eris h con t emp t and

,

m o rti c at io n t o be a lover of th e cross in everyth ing

, ,

t o h old i t cons tan tl y in m y hand as a po w erful s h ield ,

t o be crucied t o all th ings a nd t o att end t o all that

,

cons ti t u t es th e h eight of perfec tion .

V eronic a follo w ed th e ex ample of th e wrse V1rg1 n s In

th e gospel and in expec tation like th eirs sh e p a ssed
,

th e wh ole night wh ic h preceded E a st er S und ay in

pr ay er imploring h er fu ture divine Spouse t o inspire
,

h er t o do e veryth ing wh ic h sh e ought by way of pre

a rat i on for th e solemni ty I fel t sh e decl ares
p .
, ,

from t ime t o t ime such loving invi tat ions bes t o w ed

on me that th e y seemed t o take me ou t of myself .

Th ese w ere no o th er than th e summons wh ic h m y

1 06 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

gold enrich ed w i th mos t be au t iful gems 3 a nd h er e

,

our d ivine L ord was se at ed in His glory His Wound s ,

eclipsing in th eir sple ndour th e r ay s of th e sun Th e

.

one on His left wa s m a de of th e pures t al ab a s t er ,

and like wise e n rich ed w ith j e w els 3 i t wa s occupied b y

th e Mo th er of Jesus in a precious robe of wh i t e
,
.

O ur Blessed Lady was implori n g h er S on t o ha s t en

th e espous als A n immense mul t itude of th e h e avenl y
.

cour t wa s in att end ance T h e h ol y virgins C ath erin e

.
,

O f S ien a a nd Rose of L im a a dv a nced a nd th e forme r , ,

appro a ch ing V eronic a ins t ruc t ed h er a s t o h er p ar t in

,
.

this augus t func tion S h e t ells us that sh e wa s th en

. .

slo wly conduc t ed b y b Oth of th em t o wa rds th e th rones ,

a nd a s th ey proceeded on th eir way th e y arr ay ed h e r

in v arious ar ticles of gorgeous attire e a c h more pre ,

cions tha n th e preceding w ith whic h th e y covered h er

,

religious habit O ver all wa s a robe of wh i t e el abo

.
,

rat e l y embroidered T hu s s h e wa s brought befor e

.

th e th rone of Jesus C h ris t His r aimen t sh e decl ares.

.

h erself un able t o describe I n t h e w ounds of H is

.

ha n d s a nd fee t th e mos t r a di a n t gems w ere gle aming .

T h e w ound in His divine S ide wa s open a nd poure d ,

for th a ood Of splen d our more brill i an t than th e sun .

T h ere i t wa s that sh e beh eld th e nup t i al ring ; a nd

in t o that s a cred haven sh e w ould gl a dly have thro wn
h erself t o d w ell th erein for ever O ur L ord r aised
, .

His hand t o bless h er and wi th a benign coun t en anc e

,

int oned th e w ords
V eni spons a C hris ti
,
C ome ,

spouse O f C hris t 3 a nd th e mos t Blessed Virgin w it h
all th e cour t of h e a ven con tinued th e a n t ip h on ,

A c cip e c oro n am qu a m t ibi Dominus praeparavi t i n

,

ae t ernum Receive th e cro wn wh ic h th e L ord ha s ,

prep ared for th ee for all e t ernity S C ath erine th e n. .

beg an t o take off h er robes le aving h er simpl y att ire d ,

 s VERO NICA GIULIANI
. . 107

in h er religious habi t Th is was prob ably designed t o

.

t e a c h h er th e digni ty of that habit wh ic h wa s w or thy

,

t o be w orn even before so augus t a n a ssembl age W e .

m ay infer a s muc h from th e effec t i t produced upon

h er Religious w ould do w ell t o take h eed t o th e
.

follo wing w ords wh ic h a re h er o wn

,

O n nding my self in th e presence of m y divine
S pouse clo th ed in th is habi t I blush ed for at that
, , ,

momen t I wa s enlight ened a s t o th e true v alue of th e

gift wh ic h God confers in c alling a perso n t o religion .

T h is light left m y mind lled w i th a n affec t ion for all

that religious have t o pr a c t ise a nd w i th a n a nxious
,

desire t o full all th ose Observa nces punct u all y Oh .

h o w gr a nd is th e very n ame O f a religious a nd h o w ,

m uc h does i t compre h end ! Al th o u g h i t wa s given

me t o conceive th e ex t en t of what i t includes I am ,

inc ap able of describing i t Even no w I have suc h con

.

d e n c e in th e mere habi t of religion that t o imprin t

,

a kiss on i t gives me ple a sure .

Bu t t o re turn t o th e my s t erious ceremonies V ero .

ni c a wa i t ed for a S h or t t ime in h er religious habi t ,

un t il o ur L ord m a de a sign t o His blessed Mo th er that

sh e s h ould arr ay our S a in t in h er nup t i al att ire wh ic h ,

consis t ed of a m agnicen t robe w oven Of di ff eren t h ues ,

a nd covered w i th precious s t ones M ary presen t ed i t

.

t o S C at h erine wh o inves t ed V eronic a w i th i t a nd

.
, ,

th en pl a ced h er be tween th e tw o thrones A nd a s .

sh e fel t more tha n ever w ounded wi th love s h e ,

be h eld our L ord dr aw fro m His side th e nup t i al

ring and l ay i t in th e hand of His h oly Mo th er We
,
.

w il l borro w h er Own descrip t ion of th is T h e ring

sh one resplenden tl y 3 i t appe ared t o me t o be m a de o f
gold and en amell ed all round so as t o form th e N am e
, ,

o f our good Jesus . F rom t ime t o t ime I looke d

1 08 s VERONICA GIULIAN I
. .

up lovingl y at our L ord 3 I seemed t o spe ak wi th Him ,

a nd t o i mplore Him t o espouse me Hereu pon th e .

! ueen of h e a ve n direc t ed h er t o presen t h er right

ha nd t o S C ath erine a ft er wh ic h our L ord t ook i t in
.
,

His o wn ,
and at that momen t S h e con t inues ,
I ,

fel t my self more in tim at el y uni t ed w i th Him To .

ge th er w i th His mos t h oly Mo th er He th en pl a ced th e ,

ring on my ring n ge r a nd wh en He ha d done so He

-
,

blessed i t .

A t th e s ame ins ta n t V eronic a h e ard a m aj es tic har

mon y of th e h e avenl y ch oirs 3 and wh en th ese ce a sed ,

S h e received from h er divine S po u se fres h rules wh ereb y

t o attai n t o gre at er perfec tion so a s t o be en tirel y

,

obedien t a nd de a d t o h er o w n will 3 t o live a s th oug h

,

th ere exis t ed no o th er being s ave Jesus and h er o w n

s oul 3 t o pr a c t ise a ll vir t ues even th ose wh ic h a re mos t
,

h eroic 3 t o observe s tric t abs tinence 3 t o impose on

h erself more rigorous pen ances tha n ever ; in Sh or t ,

h er w h ole life wa s t o be On e of crucixion O n th ese .

c ondi tions Jesus w ould be en t irel y h ers .

T h us ended th e my s t erious fun ct ion Of h er espous al ,

in wh ich a s S h e informs us h er bodil y e y es t ook no

, ,

p ar t bu t onl y th ose of h er mind S h e a dds that th e

,
.

ring rem ained on h er nger a nd that on comm union ,

d ay s sh e fel t i t s pressure more than at o th er t imes a nd ,

that on almos t every occ a sion of receivin g th e h ol y

Eucharis t S h e enj oy ed a rene wal of h er espous als
, .

Th is w ondrous ring w as more tha n once seen b y h er

c omp a nions in religion a nd wa s described as follo w s in
,

th e process b y S is t er M a ry Span acian i wh o decl ares ,

h erself t o have seen i t once w i th h er o wn e yes and

wi th dis tinc tness wh en sh e wa s a novice
It e n .

c ircled h er above men tioned ring n e r ex a c t l y in th e

g
- -
,

way th at ordin ary rings do O n th e ou t side th ere .

 1 10 s VERONICA GIULIAN I
. .

!i t wa s in that y e ar that sh e ha d received th e s tigm ata) .

! e s i t is a s th ou s ay es t rej oined our L or d
, ,

th ese ,

Wounds I le av e th ee a s a pledge t o pu t th ee cons tan tl y ,

i n mind of Me 3 res t on My Will for I a m th ine
'

.
,

C H APTER IV .

'

TH E GIF T S AN D FAV OU R S WHI C H JE S U S LAVI S H ED ON

HI S SP OU S E D U RIN G T H E TW O F O LL OWING D AY S .

H ER C ORRE SP O ND E N C E TO T H E M .

TH Esolemnit ies connec t ed w i th th ese h e avenl y

espous als w ere no t brought t o a close on E a s t er S un
d ay wh ich wa s th e fe a s t Of th eir cele br at ion bu t w ere
, ,

like wise spre a d in differen t way s over th e follo wing

Mond ay a nd Tuesd ay O n th e former of th ese d ay s.

.
Jesus in troduced V eronic a if I m ay be allo wed th e ,

expression in t o His t re asury a nd g ave i t int o h er

, ,

possession A t h er C ommunion on that morning He

.

a ppe ared t o h er a nd m ars halled a s i t w ere before

, , ,

h er all th e precious a c tions of His mor tal life a nd th e ,

f e arful t or m en t s of His P a ssion t oge th er w i th His i n ,

ni t e meri ts t elling h er t o dispose of th em all at h er

,

p le a sure V eronic
. a wa s over wh elmed b y suc h inni t e
l iber ali ty on th e p ar t of h er divine Spouse a s w ell a s ,

b y th e consider at ion of h er o w n no th ingness It .

seemed t o me sh e wri t es ,
that i t wa s an O fce ,

ill sui t ed for me t o dis t ribu t e th ese t re a sures At th e

-
.

s ame t ime I fel t suc h in t erior fai th that I t urned t o

o u r L ord a nd s aid My God m y divine Spouse I
,

, ,

l e a ve all th ese inni t e t re a sures in Thy hands I .

pr ay T h ee t o dis trib ut e th em 3 Th ou alone s h ould be

th e Dispenser of th em I beseec h Th ee t o bes t o w
.
 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. . 111

t h em among all bu t especi ally amo n g th ose wh o love

,

T h ee from th eir h e ar t ; a nd gr a n t that b y me ans of

t h ese gr a ces th e y m ay correspond t o T hy love Sh e .

w en t on t o pr ay p articul arl y for h er direc t or for all ,

pries t s and peculi arl y in be half of confessors t o th e

, ,

end that th e y mig ht be illumin at ed b y divine fai th and

in am ed w i th divine love B u t more tha n all s h e
.
,

prayed for h er o w n conven t s aying t o Jesus B y , ,

me ans of th es e T hy t re a sures c ause that th is T hy order

m ay ouris h h ere i n th e perfec tion of Observa nce .

I n this pl a ce w e mus t be permi tt ed t o m ake a brief

d igression wh ic h w ill serve t o S h o w th e e icac y of th e
,

a e rs of our S a in t W h en V eronic a en t ered th e

p r v .

conven t i t possessed a rep u tation for superior excel

,

lence a nd i t wa s on th is a ccoun t that s h e ha d m ade

,

c h oice of i t a s w e have alre ad y expl ained in th e proper

,

pl a ce 3 bu t from th e t ime of h er en t rance i t beg a n t o

be considered a comm u ni ty of s a in t s an d in fa c t more ,

tha n one of i t s inm at es p a ssed t o a no th er life in th e

O dour of s anc t i ty I n th is c at egor y w e m ay pl a ce th e
.

c h oir sis t ers M ary Teres a Val l e m an n i of Fabri ano , ,

M ary C ons tance Span aci an i and M ar y Rose G o to l o n i ,

bo th of Tolen t ino Ger trude Of Pis a Angel a M ary

, ,

Mosc ani of C a s t ello M ary Angelic a degli Az zi of

, , ,

Are zz o M ary A nne Pi azz in i of Florence F lorid a C e o l i

, , ,

a nd M ar y Magd alen B o sc ain i bo th of Pis a 3 besides ,

th e l ay Sis t ers F ra nces and Gi acin ta of C a s t ello , ,

o w n Sis t er t o th e former 3 also M ary F elix of Florence , ,

a nd generally spe aking all th e novices Of V eronic a for ,

th e y w ere dis t inguish ed for th eir V ir tue a s w ere i n , ,

deed ne arl y all th e res t wh o li ved with h er Th e n e w

, .

ann als of th e C apuch ins con tain a brief compendiu m

of th e lives of th e above menti o n ed sis t ers e a c h ac
-
,

cordin g t o th e y e ar and d ay Of h er happ y de ath A .

 '

1 12 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

sep a rat e biogr ap hy ha s been also publis h ed of Sis t ers

B o scain i Pi azz in i a nd degli Az z i
, , .

T h e process of S is ter F lorid a Ocoli s c anonization

wa s commenced bu t aft er wards suspended for wan t o f

,

pecuni ary me a ns th ough i t m ay possibl y b e t ermin at ed

,

at some fu t ure d ay It wa s a sser t ed b y some one wh o

.

confused h er w i th h er au n t that sh e wa s once one of ,

th e l a dies of th e cour t of h er S erene High ness Vio

l ant e Grand Duch ess Of T usc a n y bu t in re ality sh e
, ,

never wa s at cour t a s w e have a scer tained from ,

au th entic documen ts T h rough th e s ame me ans w e .

have le arn t that sh e once cle arl y predic t ed t o a very

es t im able pries t w ell kno wn t o us that h e w ould b e ,

come a n O rat ori an wh ic h re all y c ame t o p ass T h ere

, .

are like wise o th er p ar t icul ars connec t ed wi th h er and

h er fello w religious of that h ol y communi ty wh ic h i t
-

w ould be irrelev an t t o men tion h ere With reg ard t o .

th e members Of th e conven t no w alive w e are a ssured ,

b y one wh o is th oroughly compe t en t t o do so in con ,

se quence of having been th eir direc t or that th ey are ,

s t ill at all t imes a c t u at ed b y th e spiri t of th eir s ain tl y

sis t er a nd that in due t ime th e y w ill prove t o be
,

fai th ful copies of that h oly model .

To re turn t o our h is t ory : i t wa s on E as t er Mond ay

that Veronic a h e ard a voice w ith in h er h e ar t s aying , ,

My beloved I a m wai ting for th ee t o presen t Me w i th

,

a j ew el S h e recogni z ed th e voice O f h er h e avenl y
.

Spouse and unders t ood that His w ords signied a

,

desire t o receive some s a crice of r are m o rti cati o n at

h er ha nds A s no th in g else occurred t o h er that sh e
.

could do sh e t ook th e br a ss c ase of a n h our gl ass on

,
-
,

wh ic h wa s engraven th e mos t h ol y Name of Jesus a nd ,

having h e at ed i t th oroughl y at th e re sh e used i t t o ,

imprin t on h er bre as t th e s a cred cyp h er a s a perpe tu al

1 14 s VERONICA GIULIAN I
. .

S pouse ,

I replied O ur L ord m ade me unders tand
.

that He wa s gre atl y ple a sed at th is a nd seemed t o ,

s t re t c h ou t His right ha nd a nd embr a ce m y soul I .

c anno t describe what w ere m y feelings at that momen t .

I c a n onl y t ell y ou that i t w as a n a ffair of brief duration ;

if i t ha d been o th erwise I do no t kno w h o w I could
,

h ave lived . S h e th en att emp t s t o give some ide a of
th e w onderful delight and enl argemen t of h e ar t w h ic h
sh e experienced in receiving Jesus under th e Euc ha ris

t ic species . W h en I w en t t o h ol y C ommunion sh e ,

s ay s ,
i t seemed that th e door of m y h e art wa s
th ro w n w ide open a s if for th e purpose of receiving a
,

f rie nd 3 a nd a s soon a s He ha d en t ered i t wa s closed ,

.

T hu s i t c ame t o p a ss that m y h e a rt S h u t i t self up

a lone w i th i t s God It is ou t of my po w er t o describe
.

all th e effec t s a nd movemen t s and exul tat ions wh ic h

His presence produced I f I w ere t o give t o y ou a s
.

a n illus t r at ion ever y p a s t ime a nd ple a sure wh ic h our

d e ares t friends could provide for u s I S h ould say th e y ,

a re no th ing in comp arison 3 a nd if al l th e j o y s wh ic h

t h e universe c a n afford w ere uni t ed I s h ould pronounce,

t h em no th ing w h en comp a red w i th what m y h e ar t

e nj o y s w i th h e r God or r ath er w i th what God w orks
,

i n m y soul for i t is all His o w n oper at ion

,
L ove .

c auses th e h e a r t t o d a nce a nd le a p for j o y t o sing a nd ,

t o be Silen t a ccording a s i t ple a ses 3 love soo th es i t t o

r epose or wa kes i t t o t riu m p ha n t bliss 3 love se t s i t
,

vigorousl y t o w ork a fres h for i t s God 3 love possesses

i t a nd i t y ields t o all 3 love rules i t and i t res t s
, ,
.

Presen tl y sh e con tinues I f I w ere t o rel at e all th e

,

e ffects wh ic h a re w roug ht in th e h e ar t b y love at th e

t ime O f h ol y C ommunion and at o th er se a sons I S h ould ,

n ever nish Su i c e i t t o say that th e h ol y Eucharis t

.

i s th e very p al a ce and s a nc t u a ry of love T h e h e ar t .

 s VERONICA GIULIAN I
. . 1 15

b ecomes more than ever in amed wh en i t sees i t self

t h e d welling pl a ce of th e mos t h ol y Trini ty a nd wh e n

-
,

Jesus comes t o me i n th e Blessed Sa cr a men t a nd ,

I h e a r th e w ords H ail th ou t emple Of th e wh ole

,

Trini ty ! th en m y h e ar t becomes so enl arged a nd e u
kindled that some ti m es I see m t o h e a r s w ee t melodies
, ,

a nd a m r avis h ed w ith h e avenl y m u sic W h en eng aged

!

in l aborious du ties I nd myself re a dy t o do a nyth ing

,
.

S ome t imes I am impelled b y suc h mighty desires t o

pr aise and bless God that m y h e ar t w ould fain be con
vert ed in t o t ongues wh ere w i th t o invoke and glorif y i t s
,

sole a nd high es t good A s fa r a s I a m aware I nd no

.

g re at er s at isfac t ion in a n yth ing tha n in pure su ffering .

It is th en that I see m t o be h old o w ers Of unriva l led

l oveliness encircling m y cross 3 a nd th ese c a use me t o

w is h for frui t besides a nd th is fr u i t is more su fferin g
,
.

Here w e m ay rem ark that in th e mids t Of h er fa ires t

spirit u al delight s sh e nei th er es t eemed nor desired
,

a ught bu t s u ff e ri n pure su ffering w i th ou t one drop of

g

,

s w ee t ness a nd all this th roug h love for h er Beloved

.

Th is is a sure proof of th e Spiri t of God .

C H APTER V .

IN O BE D I E N C E T O A D IVIN E C OM M AN D S H E B E GI N S
TO FA S T R IG O R O U S LY O N B RE AD AN D WAT ER AN D ,

C O N T INUE S T O D O S O F O R S E VERAL Y E AR S T H E .

O PP O S I T I O N W HI C H S H E HAD T O E N C OUN T ER F R OM

H ER S UPER I O RS A S WE LL A S F R OM H ER S ELF AN D
, ,

F R OM T H E P OWERS OF D AR! N E SS
'
.

A M ON G th e injunc tions w h ich w ere given t o V eronic a

by Jesus h er divine Spouse on th e d ay of h er mys ti c
,

8
2
1 16 s . V ERONI CA G IULIANI .

nup t i als wa s one whi c h d irec t ed h er t o Observe a

,

s t ric t abs tinence as w e have a lre a d y ment ioned

,

at th e close of th e th ird chap t er Sh e was alre ad y .

so mort ied in th is respec t a s t o be a n obj ec t Of

w onder t o th e o th er nuns Bu t our L ord W h o desired .
,

t o sep arat e h er more a nd more from e a rth ly th ings ,

a nd t o uni t e h er more closel y t o Him self inspired o r , ,

r ath er expressl y comm anded h er t o undertake for ,

three consecu t ive ye ars a s t ric t fa s t u pon bre a d and

wat er We nd from h er o wn wri tings that i t w as on
.

th e 2 6th of M arch 1 6 95 that sh e received th is i nj un c

, ,

t ion jus t a y e ar aft er th e solemni ty of h er espous als

, .

A s s h e wa s never in th e habi t of doing anyth i n g

w ith ou t th e orders or approv al Of h er confessors and

superiors S h e inform ed th em O f th is order from our
,

L ord Bu t i t ple a sed God t o t es t h er obedience t o

.

His minis t ers 3 a nd t o i n struc t us through h er ex ample

a s t o th e dependence wh ich w e ought t o pl a ce on H i s

represen tatives even in th e h olies t pra c tices
,
He .

th erefore ord a ined that th e y sh ould all a gree in re

fusing h er th e per m ission wh ich sh e a sked Sh e .

O ffered no resis tance th o u gh t o compl y wi th th eir

,

w ill cos t h er de ar 3 for from that momen t what ever ,

sh e at e s h e wa s forced ins tan tl y t o rej ec t excep t ,

m erel y a mou th ful of dr y bre a d wh ic h sh e t ook in ,

th e course of th e d ay wh en sh e fel t on th e poin t o f

fain t ing Even th is Slight refresh men t sh e g ave u p
.

a s soon a s i t wa s pro h ibi t ed I n order t o t ry h er

.

s till more severel y Almighty God ce a sed no t t o u rge

,

h er t o keep th e appoin t ed fa s t a nd some times H e ,

repro a ch ed h er a s th ough sh e w ere responsible for no t

a ccomplish in g His divine Will 3 h o w ever bein g ,

light ened from above sh e repl ied L ord I pro m i se
, , ,

t o do i t 3 bu t I a m cer tain that Th ou desires t that I

1 18 S VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

Wh ile I sat at table i t seemed t o me that at every

,

mou thf ul I t ook our L ord repro a ch ed me S ome times .

.

I h e ard a n in t erior voice s ay ing t o me Wh en ar t ,

.

th ou going t o ful l M y i nj unc tion a nd live en tirel y ,

on bre a d a nd wat er 2 And m y soul wa s consumed

wi th sorro w at no t being able t o do w hat our L ord

b a de me I o ffered Him my obedience and th e s u ffer
.

ing whic h my food occ asioned me I resigned myself!

a fres h t o His s acred Will bu t persevered in rm ,

a dh erence t o th e pr a c t ice of h ol y O bedience I ende a .

v o ure d t o c a rr y ou t t h I s prrn c ipl e S O comple t el y a s n o t

t o t r ansgress i t in th e le a st I wa s aware of t h e gre at

. .

a ssis tance wh ich th e soul derives from living as i t ,

w ere in a s tat e of de ath and follo wing th e direc tion

, ,
.

of th e represen tatives of God I fel t that m y desires .

.

for su ffering w ere more tha n ever on th e incre a se I . .

e arnes tly longed t o drink in good e arnes t of that .

bi tt er c halice w h ic h con tains every kind of t ormen t 3 ,

a nd i t oft en seemed t o me that our L ord m a de me ta s t e

i t s con t ent s
. T h e mere sight of th is c halice su r
rounded me w i th p ain bu t at th e s ame t ime imp ar t ed
,
.

gre at s trength for i t seemed t o me t hat m y spiri t s b e

,

c a me th ereb y more attuned t o su ff ering a nd t o th e lov e

of th e cross . V eronic a ha d t o endure th is agoniz ing ,

conic t be tw een th e comm ands a nd repro a ch es of

God on th e one hand and th e proh ibitio n s of h er
,

superiors on th e o th er from th e 2 0th of M arc h t o

,
.

th e 8 th of S ep t ember in th e s ame y e ar Me anwh ile .

th e resis tance of n at ure con tinu ed in th e m anner w e

have described s o th at sh e w ould fre quently p a s s
,

se ver al d ay s w i th ou t taking th e le as t refres hmen t .

A t leng th our L ord moved w ith comp assion for

,

th is severe t ri al of h er v ir t ue wa s ple a sed t o bes to w ,

on h er a ver y r are fa vour wh ic h w e do no t nd t o

,
 s V ERONICA GIULIANI
. . 1 19

ha ve been vouch s afed on an y o th er excep t th e h ol y ,

virgins Li d wi n e i n Holl an d a nd Ge rtr u de of O os t in

, , ,

Belgium according t o th e t es timon y of th e Boll andis ts

,
.

V eronic a being one d ay th orough l y ex ha us te d o wing ,

t o th e c au ses men t ioned above p a ssed i n t o o n e of h er

,

usu al r ap tures during wh ich our L ord direc t ed h er t o

,

sus tain h er life b y taking d aily ve drops of a cer tain

li quid con taine d in h er left bre a s t bu t no t un t il sh e
,

S h ould receive th e permission of h er confessor t o ,

wh om th e wh ole m att er was t o b e referred I .

th en re t ur ned t o m yself sh e w ri t es,
and found ,

m yself like one dis t ra c t ed no t kno w ing wha t t o do

'

.
,

I fel t in t eriorl y a profound sorro w on a ccoun t of m y

sins agains t God : i t seemed t o me also that I wa s , ,

more enlight ened tha n I ha d b een on th e s ubj ec t of

vir tues especi ally on that of h umility : I wa s con
,

sumed w i th desire for th e s alv ation of souls : from

t ime t o t ime I fel t m y soul so enkindled that i t
seemed t o consume me 3 I also appe ared t o feel th e
e ffec t s of th e uid w i thin m y bosom I wa s n o t .

willing t o l ay a n y s t ress on th is 3 a nd I did n o t

*

kno w h o w I s h ould exp l ain i t t o m y confessor o wing ,

t o th e repugn a n ce wh ic h I feel on all suc h occ a sions .

I wa s fre quen tly reproved for no t con quering m y self ,

a nd received a fres h inspir at ion t o m anifes t th is p ar

t i cu l ar 3 b u t I could no t t ell h o w t o se t abou t i t I .

w en t 0 11 in th is way for abou t th ree d ay s A s I could .

no t re tain th e food wh ic h I t ook m y s t reng th was ,

failing fas t so that I could hardl y s tand I did n o t

,
.

L e t th e re a d e r mark t h e c a u t i o n w i t h w h i c h s h e d al t e

w i t h v i s i o n s a n d e t r a or d in a r y f av o ur s a n d h o w rel uc ta n t sh e
x ,

w a s t o m e n t i o n a n y th ing w h i c h w as l i k e l y t o r e d ou n d t o h e r
o w n gl or y : t h e s e th ings p r o v th at t h e sp iri t w h i c h gu i d e d
e

h e r w a s go o d .
1 20 s VERONICA GIULIAN I
. .

ven t ure t o tas t e th e li quor in qu eStio n ,bec ause I h ad

no t permission t o do s o bu t I fel t that i t wa s in m y
,

bre as t O ur L ord rebuked me severel y ; and I w as

.

given t o unders ta nd that i t wa s His Will that I sh ould

t riump h over m yself and men tion my c ase t o His re
,

presen tat ive A t l a s t I overc ame myself and rel at ed

.
,

a ll th e circum s ta nces My confessor w ould no t permi t

.

me t o ta s t e th e li quid for th e presen t bu t desired me ,

t o con tinu e taking m y ordin ary food I did s o a ccord .

i n gl y .T h e nex t m o rm n g h e t old me t o e at a s usu a l 3

bu t that in c a se sickness S h ould ensue I wa s t o take ,

th e ve drops aft er a S h or t in t erv al I d id th is a nd .

,

e xperienced ex t r a ordin ar y e ffec t s S c arcel y ha d I

.

tas t ed i t wh en I fel t my self s trength ened and i n vigo

r at ed . T his happened o u th e 2n d of June To .

God be all th e glory Blessed be th e cross . .

T h e a ccoun t wh ic h V eronic a gives tallies ex a c tl y

w i th th e deposi tion m a de in th e process whi c h m ay ,

be found in th e summ ary of h er vir t ues b y Fath er

C arlo A n t onio T a ssin ari of th e order of S ervit es , ,

wh o wa s at that time ex tra ordin ary confessor t o th e

c onven t He i t w as wh o rs t refused and th en g ave
.

our S ain t permission t o av ail h erself of that m yste

rio n s uid w i th th e approb at ion of th e bis h op Mgr
, ,
.

E u stac hj w it h wh om h e had taken counsel on th e

,

subj ec t T h e li quor in q ues t ion wa s th en ex amined

. .

It wa s simil ar in appe ar ance t o milk 3 bu t s o extremel y

delicious wa s i t s O dour that wh erever i t wa s brought
i t lled every pl ace wi th fr agr ance 3 i t wa s in a p h i al
w h ic h V eronica ha d been obliged under obedience t o
l l w i th i t Wh en i t wa s convey ed t o th e Sick i t
.

wrought w onders a s wa s att es ted in th e process b y

,

S is t er Florid a C e o li a nd S is t er M ary M agd alen Bos

c a ini a s w ell a s b y th e l ay sis t er Gi a cin ta
,
O ur virgI n .
1 22 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

wat er . O ur prel at e !Mgr Eu sta chj ) ha s direc t ed .

me t o enj oin yo u t o do so We m ay e a sily infer .

w ith what delight th is mess age w ould be w elcomed

b y V eronic a aft er all that ha d p a ssed a nd w e ,

m ay conceive w i th what al a cri ty S h e commenced

th e fa s t so e arnestl y d esired ; th oug h t o es h an d
blood i t wa s of course a sore t ri al S h e h erself .

rel at es that sh e found h er wh ole n at ure recoil fro m

i t It is h o w ever t rue that from th is t ime th e
.
, ,

n ause a from wh ic h sh e ha d su ff ered so muc h wa s at

a n end Bu t feeble h um ani ty c anno t bu t sh rink at
.

th e ide a of taking no o th er nourish men t tha n bre a d

a nd wat er du ri ng wh ole w eeks a nd mon th s a nd , ,

y e ars. It is ple a s an t t o con t empl at e th e generosi ty

w i th wh ic h sh e brought h er mind t o be a r i t a s als o ,

th e m agn anim i ty wh ic h led h er t o m ake light of and ,

even j es t at th e m att er a s is eviden t from th e

, ,

follo w ing ingenuous a ccoun t wh ic h sh e g ave h er

confessor beginning from th e t ime of th e c arniv al
,

Mo th er abbess decl ared in Chap t er that du ri ng th ese ,

four c arn I val d ay s w e might e a c h take what ever w e

,

re quired for our o w n needs S elf wa s delight ed an d .

,

immedi at el y cried I t oo w ill take what ever I

,

, ,

re q uire I beg a n t o c h ide S elf a nd t o t ell h e r that

.

s h e s h ould no t have a ll that S h e a sked for A s mi ght .

be expec t ed sh e wa s wan t ing t o e at and t o sleep All

,
.

at once sh e desired me t o give h er at le a s t a li ttl e , ,

bre a d and wat er of wh ic h sh e s t ood in gre at need

,
. .

Bu t I replied Be quie t for I am going t o give yo u

, ,

th e food y ou a sk for ! o u kno w th e th ree pen a nces

. .

wh ic h I have promised y ou 3 w ell th ese are t o b e ,

y our bre a d a nd wat er S oon aft er I w en t t o th e

.

dispens a ry a nd no sooner di d S elf nd h erself th ere

, ,

tha n sh e wa n t ed t o ha ve a morsel of everythi ng:

 s . VERONICA GIULIAN I . 1 23

S o I m a d e h er h e w i th h er mou th on th e ground f o r
a s h or t t ime a nd s aid t o h er E at th is dus t and
, ,

dir t an d be s atised for once

,
Th is pl an a nsw ere d .

,

a nd sh e wa s quie t ag ain bu t I could no t h elp smiling ,

w i th in my self T h e nex t morning direc tl y s h e en t ered

.
,

th e dispens a ry sh e beg a n th e s ame course that S h e

,

ha d pursued th e d ay before a nd s aid t o m e It i s , ,

S und ay morning 3 even th e h ermi t s e at some th ing t o

d ay ; a nd poor I a m t o have no th i n g bu t bre a d and
5
wat er .I n th e mids t O f th ese murmurs sh e beg a n
t o prep are some m a c aroni for th e nuns I l augh ed at .
.

th e qu an t ity sh e t ook ou t a nd c a n a ssure y ou that ,

S h e kno w s h o w t o be roguis h a nd ha s a misc h ievous ,

t ongue in h er h e a d I wa s no t able t o pen ance h e r

.

th en for m y comp anion wa s in th e room
,
.

S h e wri t es a s follo w s on th e 3 0th of S ep t ember a ,

.

tw elvemon th of h er fa s t having el apsed : I c an

a ssure m y fath er confessor that I nd th e m att er a s
gre at a privat ion t o m y n at ur al appe t it e a s I did th e
rs t d ay I beg a n t o ab staIn I nd th at S elf w is h e s .

to have a S hare of all th e food wh ic h I provide for

th e nuns a nd grumbles a s sh e divides i t in t o por t ions
,
.

S h e w il l have h er way a nd I c a nno t a ccus t om h er t o

,

keep quie t I ende avour t o p a ss i t O H w i th a smile 3

.

bu t th is y e ar a s I s hall s t ill have t o regul at e my die t

,

very s tric tl y I mus t t ry t o m ake a n impression upon

,

h er b y inic ting some n e w m o rti c ati o n I have .

promised h er th e follo w ing three : rs t that if ever ,

S h e w ish es t o e at a nyth in g secre tly a s t emp tat ion , ,

or r ath er privat e gr at ic at ion m ay sugges t sh e

, , ,

I t w as cu st o m in th i s co nv e n t th at t h e re l igi ou s e v e n
th e ,

t ho s e w h o w e re p r ofe ss e d a n d h e l d t h e high e r Offi c e s in t h e

,

c omm u ni ty s h ou l d o cc as i on all y w o rk in t h e k i t c h e n a d
,
n

d isp e nsary .
1 24 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

s hall walk in t o th e middle of th e refec t ory a nd pro ,

cl aim th is faul ty inclin ation aloud t o all th e nuns .

T h e b are th oug ht of s u c h a h umili at ion pu t s h er on

h e r gu ard . S econdly if sh e compl ains Of having
,

no th ing bu t bre a d and wat er sh e S hall be m a de t o ,

p ass th ree d ays w i th ou t drinking at all I nd th is .

t hr e at very effec t ive T hirdly a s s h e ha s t o cook a nd

.
,

c arry round th e provisions of th e o th er religious if ,

s h e con t inues t o a ccomp a n y th is du ty wi th l amen ta

t ions as S h e is a ccus t omed t o do S h e S hall be forced

, ,

t o express what is p a ssing i n h e r mind in a n audible ,

w ay t o h er comp a nion wh oever i t m ay be

, ,
F or I .

w ill no t t olerat e th ese murmurs a n y longer T h is .

l a s t m o rti c atio n w ill t ouc h h er t o th e quick .

V eronic a s confessor sugges t ed t o h er ano th er

m e th od of con queri n g h er repugn a nce t o th is fa s t a nd ,

o f quelling th e inci t emen t s O f n at ur al appe t i t e He .

recommended h er t o h old a r aw and dec ay ed s h t o

h er lips wh enever sh e fel t a cr a ving for food We .

w ill refer ag ain t o h er o w n livel y n arr at ive I .

t ook a sh sh e s ay s
,
wh ic h was alre ad y in a
,

s tat e Of decomposi t ion a nd pu t i t a side ,

Well a ft er .
,

some time ha d el apsed y ou m ay conceive th e condi ,

t ion i t wa s in ! Ever y t ime that I found n at ure dis

c on t en t ed and rebellious in th e m att er of die t I s aid ,

t o myself y ou kno w wh ere y our food is t o be found

,
.

I re all y c anno t s tay t o rel at e all th e compl ain t s wh ic h

S elf wa s disposed t o l ay at th e door of th e person wh o
h ad inven t ed th is pen a nce and I w ill onl y repe at one ,

thing wh ic h sh e s aid It wa s th is T h e person wh o

.

th ought of suc h a pen ance ought rs t t o t ry th e ex

e ri m e n t h imself a nd see wh e th er h e is no t proposi n g
p ,

a n i m possibili ty .Ho w ever I m ade h er undergo ,

t h is t ri al a nd a no th er t oo wh ic h sh e did no t at al l
, ,
 1 26 s VERONICA GIULI A N I
. .

T he devil desp airing of being able t o subdue h e r

, ,

c once
I
e d th e ide a of bl a ckening h er repu tat ion a nd ,

o f m aking h er appe a r a s a crilegious hy pocri t e b y th e ,

follo wing s tr atagem He fre quen tl y a ssumed h er form

.
,

a n d con t rived t o be c aught in th e a c t of e at ing greedil y

a nd surrep titiousl y at improper h ours some times in th e

, ,

ki t ch en some times in th e refec t ory a nd some times in

, ,

th e dispens ary T h e nuns w ere ex tremel y sc and ali z ed

.

at th is especi all y wh en th e y once or t wice s aw V eronic a

,

o t o h ol y C ommunion a ft er th e y ha d wi t nessed one

g
of th ese unl aw ful rep a s t s Bu t i t ple a sed God t o.

u nder take th e defence of His serv an t b y c ausing th e ,

infern al plo t t o be discovered O ne morning abou t .

,

th e t ime of C ommunion some of th em found th e ,

supposed V eronic a engaged in e ating a nd a ccordingl y ,

i

r an t o th e c h oir t o inform th e ab b e ss bu t th ere t h e y ,

found th eir h ol y sis t er r ap t in prayer .

A mids t all th ese t roubles sh e con t inued h er fa s t on

,

bre a d and wat er during th ree consecu t ive y e ars a s ,

long a s sh e wa s permi tt ed t o do so Besides th is .

,

during t wo y e ars more s h e lived exclusively on s h reds

,

o f al tar bre a d w i th a fe w or a nge pippins a nd som e

, ,

O f th at m arvellousl y po t en t uid of wh ic h w e ha ve ,

alre ad y spoken I ndeed i t m ay be s aid that all h er

.
,

religious life wa s one perpe tu al fas t .

 s VERON ICA GIULIANI
. . 1 27

C H APTE R VI .

F URT H ER IN S TAN C E S O F VER O NI C A S FI D E LI T Y TO H ER

D I VIN E SP OU S E SH E. RE C E I VE S F R OM H I M A
W O UN D IN T H E H E AR T F O U R D OC UM E N T S W R I T
.

T E N B Y H E R W I T H H ER OW N B L O OD .

IT m ay be e a sily conceived h o w th e m alice of h er in

f e rn al enem y incre a sed w h en h e found h imself so
u tt e rl y scorned by V eronic a a nd w h en h e be h eld h er at
,

th e s ame t ime so closel y uni t ed t o h er divine S pouse .

T h ere wa s no art t o w hich h e did no t resor t for th e

purpose of rendering h er unfai th ful He w ould pre .

sen t t o h er th e mos t dre a dful im ages of guil t and i n ,

c omp a n y w i th o th er ends under th e forms of w icked

y oung men h e would en a c t scenes th e very th o u ght

, ,

o f wh ic h is a b h orren t t o n at ure T h e s ain tl y h eroine

.

o f wh om w e w ri t e wa s on sever al occ a sions t ormen t ed

b v th is erce orde al bu t never ha d s h e t o encoun t er

,

S O dire a conic t or one s o pro t r a c t ed a s ha ppened in

, ,

t h e y e a r 1 69 6 wh ic h wa s th e second a ft er h er my s t ic
,

e spous als . Bu t th e s truggle served only t o elici t fres h

proofs of h er unimpe a c hable cons ta nc y t o h er h e avenl y
S pouse a s w ell a s ne w pledges of His love for h er
,
.

F o r p ar t icul ars w e w ill refer t o h er o w n n a rr at ive ,

wri tt en on th e 1 st of Jul y in th e s ame y e a r .

T h e demons w en t on w i th th eir h orrible deeds .

T h e y a ssumed at th e s ame t ime m y form a nd de ,

c l are d that I wa s los t for ever that in that form I ha d ,

c ommi tt ed a number of sins th ough at presen t I did no t

,

r ecogni z e th em T h ey s aid that th ey reserved th e m

.

for th e h our of m y de ath h Opin g t o m ake me die in

,

desp air Besides all th is I ha d t o endure suc h s a dness

.
,

a nd mor tal agon y that I could do no th ing for myself .

1 28 s VERONICA GIULIAN I
. .

It seemed a s th ough for m e th ere w ere nei th er God

n o r s ain t s I did m y u tmos t t o revive m y Spiri t s
. ,

bu t i t wa s all in v ain f I s aid t o th ese infern al mon
s t e rs ,Away w ith y ou ; I belong en tirely t o m y Jesus 3

I have no th ing t o do wi th y ou 3 I w ill no t list en t o

y ou 3 I love God w i th all m y h e ar t and I desir e ,

al way s t o do His Will Do what ever y ou are per

'

m i tte d t o do ag ains t m e s trik e me af ic t me onl y

, ,

le t me full th e divine Will wh ich I embra ce and love ,

.

Here I take m y s ta nd Blessed be th e pure Will o f.

m y L ord It is th us that faith ful spouses spe ak o f
.

th eir God .

V eronic a wa s atta cked in a Simil ar way in t h e

O c t ober of th e s ame y e ar a nd this furn ish ed a n e w ,

proof of h er delity S h e wro t e a s follo w s on t h e

.

1 7 th To m y o th er t ri als th is ne w one wa s adde d .

W h ils t I wa s at pr ay er I suc h a cro w d of sinful

th ought s rush ed in t o m y mi n d that i t th re w m e ,

int o a perspirat ion aft er wh ich I bec ame a s cold

,

a s ice and experienced w i th in so V iolen t a conic t

,

that I wa s comple t ely u pse t b y i t I did no t me an t o .

allo w m yself t o be dis t urbed or agi tat ed b y i t bu t I ,

could no t h elp it I w as t ormen t ed and plu n ged int o

.

th ese h orrible ide a s and m y mind wa s so d arkened

,

that I could appl y myself to no th ing S atan t emp t ed .

me and I seemed t o h e ar h is t erric voice a ccos t i n g

,

me th us O f what u se is i t t o pray for Sinners ! A l l

,

th eir t ransgressions recoil upon th ee Do good if .

L e t th e s ou l s o f th e j u st b e co mfort e d w h e n th e y f all int o

s im il a r t e mp tat i o s a n d d e s ol ati o n 3 f t h e s e are t ri al s t o
n or

w h i c h G o d s u b j e c ts H i s m o st b e l o v e d s e r va n ts L e t s uc h .

l e ar n fro m our S ain t h o w t o a c t w h e n th e i r t urn com e s .

T h e r e f or e l e t o th e r s b e c om f or t e d wh e n th e y s u ffe r f r o m
t e mp tati on s i n th e ho ur s o f d e v o ti on .
 1 30 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

respec t and c tit ious c hari ty T h ese sen t imen t s ha d

, .

reference more p ar ticul arl y t o h er superior a nd ano th er

religiou s wh o wa s connec t ed w i th h ersel f in th e ofc e
of dispenser S h e c arefull y a voided a n y ou tward
.

expression of what wa s p a ssing in h er mind a nd o n ,

th e con trary m anifes t ed th e gre at es t possible sati sfac ~

t ion S h e resolved at length t o mee t th is t emp tation

.

b y having more ferven t recourse t o h er divine Spous e

in the Blessed S a cr amen t Wh en pros tr at e before
.

Him S h e fel t a s sh e i nforms us that n at ure a nd

, , ,

sense w ere t ra n quilli z ed 3 th e y d ared no t spe ak an d ,

thus h er soul resumed i t s dominion over th em I t .

wa s o u r L ord sh e a dds W h o produced th is c alm

, , ,

a nd g ave h er s treng th t o full h er du t ies in th e dis

p e n sar
y a nd t
,
o execu t e ever yth ing that wa s re q uire d
of h er .

I n th e M arc h of 1 6 9 6 sh e w en t th rough th e sp iri tu al

exercises of S Ign atius in order that h er soul migh t
.
,

be more perfec tly puried and s treng th ened ag ains t ,

th e att a cks of th e d evil S h e gave th e follo wing.

succinc t a ccoun t t o h er confessor on th e 1 1 th I

a m beginning th ese h ol y exercises w i th th e int en t ion

of l e ading a ne w life an d of being a t o tall y different
,

person t o what I have h i th ert o been I nd no th ing .

bu t coldness and ingr at it ude in m y self A s I a m .

ordered t o do so b y h ol y obedience I w ill describ e ,

m y wh ole s tat e a s w ell a nd dis t inc tl y a s I c an B ut .

I a m so s t upid that I hardl y kno w what t o say I f I .

mus t spe ak i t will be of th e cross bec ause I k n o w

, ,

that it and I are insep ar able 3 and I t rus t that I s hall

nd i t serve me a s a book during th ese d ay s of

re tre at .

H e r h umili ty is indeed w or thy of rem ark a nd w e ,

m ay reec t wi th a dv an tage on h er cons tan t e ffort s .

 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. . 1 31

t o attain t o a high er degree of perfec tion during thi s

s a cred re tre at We m ay observe also that a soul
.

a ccus t omed t o th e mos t ex al t ed a nd in t imat e c o m m u

n i cat i o n s w i th God c a res for no th ing b u t t o es tab l ish
,

h erself in th e mos t solid V irtue .

Wi th reg ard t o th e resolu tions a nd fruit s attribu

table t o th ese d ays of re tre at con tinues V eronic a I, ,

have summed th em all up under ve h e a d s F irs t re

,

sign at ion t o th e divine Will 3 secondl y punc t u a l ,

observ ance of th e rules 3 th irdl y blind Obedience 3 ,

fourthl y fra tern al c hari ty 3 a nd l a s tl y never t o excus e

, ,

m yself under an y con tr a dic t ion .

Eve n at th is t ime th e enemy wa s t roublin g h er w i th a .

ne w temp tat ion S h e ha d begun t o m ake a more mi nu t e

.

confession tha n usu al so h e sugges t ed that sh e ha d

,

be tt er le ave Off t el ling suc h long s t ori e s t o h er c o n fe s

sor 3 bu t perceivin g th e delusion sh e t urned t o o u r ,

L ord and s aid My God I resolve t o be obedi e n t t o
, ,

T hy represen tat ive and I w ill t ell h im all that p a sses

,
.

in m y mind . T h en i t wa s that th e demons ende a
v o u re d t o fright en h er b y me a ns of h orrible app ari

t ions. Bu t I t ook cour age sh e a dds a nd bega n
, ,

t o invoke th e m os t h ol y n ames of Jesus and M a ry r

,

m aking th e Sign of th e cross from t ime t o t ime and ,

submi tting m y self t o th e en tire Will of G o d concern

ing me .

S h e concludes b y men tioning v arious t okens of lov e

wh ic h S h e received at th e hand of h er divine Spou se .

A t leng th sh e s ay s
,
I wa s able t o be a littl e
,

recollec t ed ; a nd wh ils t I wa s in pr ay er con t empl atin g ,

th e immense love of God for our souls I found myself ,

gen tl y r aised from th e th i n gs of e ar th a nd favoured ,

t o beh old a V ision of our L ord wh ic h wa s so be a u tiful ,

that I c anno t describe i t He appro a ch ed me a nd I

.
,

9
2
1 32 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

s aw th e c halice a nd th e cross in His H a nd T h e l att er .

wa s a dorned w i th m an y gems and precious s t ones .

He g ave me t o unders ta nd that i t wa s I wh o ha d

th us a dorned i t b y me a ns of th e confession I ha d
begun t o m ake He informed me also that i t wa s
.

His Will that I S h ould con t inu e i t a nd that for th e ,

fut ure I s h ould conce al no th ing from m y conf essor ,

bu t s h ould tell h im everyth ing in order that th e ,

w onders of, divine love might be kno w n I wa s .

likew ise m a de t o compre h end that ignor an t and n u ,

g r at eful a s I ha d been th e gift s a nd

,
gr a ces of our

L ord ha d been l avis h ed upon me .

S h e goes on t o men t ion a n ecs tas y in wh ic h h er

soul e w a s i t w ere t o th e I nfa n t Jesus a nd enj oy ed
, , ,

suc h in t im at e communic at ions w ith Him that sh e ,

found h erself inc ap able of describing th em Sh e .

th us concludes W h en I c ame t o myself I rush ed ,

from m y cell like one der anged no t kno w ing what I ,

did S o fo r a l o n g t ime I t o ok th e discipline t o blood

.
, , ,

a n d a ft er wa rds I w en t t o prime Bu t m y h e ar t could

.

no t con tain th e j o y wh ic h i t fel t A nd th en y our re .

v e re n c e c a me !h er confessor a nd s a id M a ss d u ring
) ,

wh ic h I m a de a spiri tu al co mmunion a nd c ommi tt ed ,

my self en t irel y in t o th e hands of m y Jesus Aft er .

th is I co n t inued my confessi on a nd experienc e d gre at

, ,

relief a nd bene t .

Bu t th e mos t t e nder pledge of love bes t o w ed o n

h er during that y e ar b y h er divine S pouse was a
w ound li t er ally inic t ed on h er h e ar t from wh ich a ,

s t re am of blood issued for th Th is t ook pl a ce on

.

C hris t m a s d ay Before proceeding t o give a n y a ccoun t

.

O f th is rem ark able even t w e w ill refer t o what happened

.

p reviou s t o that fe as t in order that w e m ay se e wi th

,

wh at d eli ty sh e m eri t ed so gre at a favour She .

1 34 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

ground th e y gre w upon I embr a ced th e trees an d

.
,

s ai d ! o u pu t me in mind of m y de a r L ord s cross

, I .
,

S h e goes on t o rel at e simil ar t r ansport s Of h er love ,

w h ic h resemble th ose of th e S pouse in th e s acred

C an t icles . S h e also men t ions th e insul t s wh ic h sh e
ha d t o encount er from tw o demons wh o a ssumed th e ,

form s of negroes Bu t sh e wa s no t at all dism ay ed

. .

All for T hy love m y God sh e cried ,
Oh h o w,
.
,

c h eerfull y do I w e l c o m e p ain ! C ome o h come m y b e

.

, ,

loved S pouse S ati at e me w ith crosses a nd t ormen t s

.
,

provid e d i t be T hy Will for th is is what I wis h a nd

,

desire Del ay no lo n ger bu t come m y Jesus
.
,
At ,
.

l a s t S h e re t urned t o h er cell a nd spen t th e wh ole d ay

,

in pr ay er a nd th e severes t pen a nce repe at ing from ,

t ime t o t ime th e pr ay er of th e gre at V irgin a nd m artyr

S t C ecili a
.

F i at Domine cor meum e t corpus meu m
, ,

i m m acu l at u m u t non c o n fu n d ar
,
Gr an t O L ord
, ,

that m y h e ar t a nd m y body m ay be imm a cul at e that ,

I m ay no t be confounded .

T h us p a ssed th e d ay s of t hat s a cred noven a ,

durin g wh ic h V eronic a fel t h erself impelled on several

occ a sions t o writ e wi th h er o wn blood a pr ay er t o
th e divine I nfan t S h e did so on th e night of th e
. .

Hol y N at ivi ty before m at ins 3 m a king w i th a penknife

a n incision in th e form of a cross n e ar h er h e a rt .

Th is documen t sh e consigned t o th e c are of h er con

f e s so r . It r a n th us
Pros t rat e at T hy F ee t m y Je sus I solemnl y pro
, ,

t es t that I desire t o be evermore en t irel y T h ine a nd ,

t o ha ve no o th er w is h tha n T hy h oly Will Th ou ha s t .

t old me that lovers of th e cross ha ve t o d w ell in T hy

He ar t I decl are a nd subscribe my self w i th m y o w n
.

blood a lover of th e cross T ake fro m me my L or d .

, ,

what ever m ay be a h indra nce t o m y u n ion wi th Th ee

'
.
 s VERONICA
. G IULIAN I . 1 35

C ause th is h e ar t of mine t o be th e abode of T hy h ol y

love 3 le t no th ing rem ain i n me bu t Thy h ol y Will .

0 m y God I pen w i th m y blood th is u n al t er able

,

c oven a n t b y wh ic h I bind m y self t o wis h for not h ing

,

b u t th e a ccomplis hmen t of T hy Will O n T h ee I rel y .

for s treng th 3 t o T h ee I give m y h e ar t .

S h e ha d alre a dy dr awn up some th ing simil ar on th e

1 4th O f F ebru a ry 1 6 9 6 a s follo w s
, ,
.

J M J . . .

M y L ord m y God m y S pouse He ar t of m y h e ar t

, , , ,

I desire no w t o commune wi th T hy love I implore .

o n th e p a r t of m y confessor a gr a ce a ccording t o hi s

i n t en t ion ; a nd I also en tre a t a s a fa vour from T hy

S a cred Hea r t a nd T hy h oly love that m y confessor
, ,

m ay walk a ccording t o T hy good ple a sur e and that ,

h e m ay l abour a nd t oil for th e s alv at ion of souls

a ccor d ing t o T hy Will I pr ay that Th ou O L ord , ,
.

wil t keep h i m in T hy He ar t a s w ell a s a ll o th ers wh o

,

h ave a ssis t ed a nd wh o con t inue t o a ssis t m y soul

, , ,

i n order that th e y m ay all burn w i th T hy love a nd ,

live a ft er Th ine o w n He ar t 0 inni t e L ove le t th e

.
,

Wound of T hy love spe a k for me ! e s indeed m y .

, ,

S pouse I s a crice m y self a s a perpe t u al h oloc aus t a

, ,

v ic t i m of love
3 a nd I desire t o unit e th is s a crice
w i th that wh ic h T h ou di ds t m ake on th e al tar of th e
c ross. I se al m yself also w ith th e Sign of love t o ,

s ignify that I w is h t o be a l way s crucied w i th T h ee

,

a nd that I cr a ve no th ing bu t T hy Will O m y L ord .

,

I pr ay t o T h ee for th e conversion of sinners and I ,

c ommend t o T h ee in p ar t icul a r th ose souls for wh om

m y confessor w ould w is h me t o pr ay O innit e L ove .

,

I a ddress m yself w i th love t o T h ee W h o ar t m y ,

S pouse m y God a nd m y All

, , I on m y p a rt a m .

e n t irely T h ine a nd I pro t es t un t o T h ee at this mo

,
1 36 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

m e n t that I w is h t o be evermore en t irel y T h ine I in .

t end t o conrm at th e presen t t ime all th e pro t es tat ion s

I have m ade t o T h ee w i th m y blood : and I presen t
m y self a ne w in th e qu ali ty Of medi at rix be tw een T h ee
a nd Sinners Beh old I am re ad y t o give my life an d
.
,

m y blood for t h eir conversion and for th e a dv ancement ,

of T hy h ol y fai th O m y God in union w i th Thy ,

He ar t a nd T hy love I invit e th em thus 0 soul s , ,

redeemed w i th th e Blood of Jesus I spe ak t o y ou O ,

.

sinners come all of y ou t o th e He ar t of J e su s t o

, ;

th e foun tain t o t h e immense oce an of His love 3

,

come sinners every one of y ou 3 ab andon y our sins ,

, ,

a nd come t o Jesus Me an wh ile m y beloved Spouse

.

, ,

le t me love T h ee w ith T hine o w n love no w a nd for ,

ever I ask th e s ame for m y confessor ; give h im T hy

.

love t h at h e m ay forge t h imself that h e m ay dives t

, ,

h imself of everyth ing and be uni t ed en t irel y t o T h ee

,
.

I implore th e s a me gra ce on behalf of P G P , .

,

B E a nd R E a s also for a ll th ose wh o a re of h elp t o

, ,

m y soul a nd in ne for all m y sis t ers

,
.

S ist er V ERONICA ,

C apu chin e ss .

O u t side th e p aper is w ri tt en in ano th er hand ,

prob abl y h e r c c n fe sso r s : 1 4th of F ebru a ry 1 6 9 6;

wi th th e blood of th e w ound wh ic h s h e received on

C h ris t m a s d ay .

T h e above documen t is preserved wi th due ven er a s

t ion in th e city of C a s t ello b y Fath er F lorido Pier ,

leoni pos t ul at or of h er c a use T h ere are tw o o th er s

, .

whi c h w e have seen also writt en w i th h er blood a s

, ,

fol lo ws
J M J . . .

My L ord in th e n ame of m y confessor I ask
, ,

th e follo win g gra ces of T h ee : puri ty of h e ar t an d

1 38 s . VERONICA GIULIANI .

of

our L ord s n at ivi ty t o be h old th e divine Infa n t
,

r a di a n t w i th be a u ty and covered w i th j e wels He

, .

a ddressed h er a s His Spouse and S h e reciproc at ed ,

t hat t erm of love He o ff ered t o full all h er desires

.
,

a n d sh e replied : I w is h for T h ee alone 3 throug h T hy
merit s and th ose of M ary T hy Mo th er I cr ave th e
, , ,

c onversion of sinners 3 a nd I commend t o T hy c a re

o u r h ol y insti tu t e C ause us t o be en tirel y T hine

. .

T ake from us everyth ing that is disple a sing t o T h ee .

B ut omi tt ing a n immense a moun t of Simil ar m att er ,

w e will proceed t o th e de tail s of th e solemnity T h e .

f ollo wing is h er o w n a ccoun t

I n th e ha nd of th e divine I nfan t I be h eld as i t ,

w ere a golden rod on th e t op Of wh ic h wa s th e

,

a ppe ar a nce of a a me of re wh ile th e lo w er end wa s ,

poin t ed wi th s t eel like a smal l l a nce He pl a ced th e

u pper end ag ains t His h e ar t a nd direc te d th e spe a r ,

h e a d t o m y o wn s o that I seemed t o feel i t pierce

,

t hroug h a nd th rough All at once I looked a nd n o w

.
,

th ere wa s no th ing in th e hand of th e B abe 3 bu t all

s m iling He invi t ed me t o His love a nd m a de me ,

u nders ta nd that I wa s no w uni t ed t o H i m more closely

tha n ever M an y th ings w ere communic at ed t o me bu t

.
,

a s I do no t remember th em all I w ill w ri t e no th ing ,

abou t th em W h en I re t urned t o m yself I wa s like

.
,

one delirious a nd kne w no t what I did I th ought I

,
.

c ould feel th e w ound at m y h e a rt open bu t I did no t ,

V en t ure t o look a nd s e e if i t w ere so I t ook a li ttle .

.

clo th a nd a ft er appl ying i t found that i t wa s s tained

, ,

w i th fres h blood 3 I also fel t gre at p ain W h en y our .

r everence comm a nded me t o ex amine wh e th er th ere

wa s a re al w ound th ere I did so a nd found that th ere , ,

wa s one ope n bu t no t bleeding It was l arge enough

, ,
.

t o a dmi t th e bl a de of a knife a nd th e divided es h ,

 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. . 1 39
'

w as visible O n th e rs t d ay of th e y e ar 1 6 9 7 !eight
.

d ay s af t er th is w ound ha d been received ) i t bled ag ai n ,

a n d con t inued O pen for a good wh ile M ay i t al l be .

t o th e glory of God .

We mus t inform t h e re ader that th is w ound t oge th er ,

w i th th e blood wh ic h proceeded from i t wa s s h o w n b y ,

o rder of h er confessors t o sever a l nuns a s is men t ioned ,

in th e processes It wa s a very speci a l favour b y

.
,

wh ic h our L ord wa s ple ased t o recompense th e h eroic

deli ty of His beloved Spouse .

C H APTER VII .

J E S U S PR OD U C E S IN H ER A S T ILL G RE AT ER R E S E M
B LAN C E T O HI M S E LF BY I M P R IN T ING U P ON H ER
HI S S A C R ED S T IGM ATA .

IT is a w ell kno w n proverb that th e mu t u al aff ec t ion

-

o f tw o lovers ei th er nds or produces resembl a nce a s ,

w ell in h e art a s in w ill a nd disposi tion T h is is t rue .

i n th e c a se of h um a n love bu t muc h more in that love

,

whic h is exchanged be tw een God a nd m an 3 so muc h

s o indeed that th e souls wh ic h love God mos t are ren

d ered mos t like t o th e divine M aj es ty b y th e surp a ssing

nobility of th eir V ir t ue s a s w e se e in th e li ves of th e
,

s ain t s . Bu t al th oug h th e resembl ance wh ic h divine

l ove produces in m an is more properl y fo u nd in th e
,

s oul ,
y e t i t ha s some t imes ple a sed God t o indic at e
b y ou tward signs what is p a ssing w i th in T hus He .

h as bes t o wed on a fe w of His h olies t serv an t s a n

e x t erior a s w ell a s a n in t erior resembl ance t o th e

divine model of all s anc ti ty our L ord Jesus C hri s t

, ,

b y imprin ting on th eir persons His ve princip al

!
1 40 S VERONIC A GIULIANI
. .

Wounds It is u n ivers all y kno w n that th is privilege

.

wa s vouch s afed t o th e gre at s ain t an d p at ri arc h F ra n

cis of A ssisi a s also t o S C ath erine of Si e n a th o u gh
.

,
.
,,

in th e c a se of th e l att er th e s tigm ata w ere invisible .

S ever al o th ers are men tioned b y T h eop h ilus Rayn au d t

a n a u th or w or thy of condence 3 for ins tance t h e ,

Blessed Li d wi n e Blessed I d a of L ouv ain Blessed Ger

, ,

t rude of O os t Blessed C hr is tin a wh o is ment ioned b y

, ,

Dion ysius th e C ar th usi a n Blessed Helen a of Hun

g a ry Blessed S t ep hani a S o n c in at e Blessed O s ann a of

, ,

M an tu a Blessed L ucy of Narni Blessed Jo ann a of th e

, ,

C ross w ith o th ers : h e a dds that a s m an y a s th ir ty ve

,
-

persons of bo th sexes wh o have received th e s tigm ata

, ,

besides S Fra ncis are n amed b y Peter of Alv a in hi s

.
,

w ork ent itled Pro d igiu m N at urae p ort e n t u m Gr at iae
, ,

A Prodigy of N at ure a mir a cle of Gra ce ,
.

O ur V eronic a wa s permi tt ed t o s hare in thi s h ig h

privilege S h e ha d at t a ined t o so l o fty:a degree of
.

love and u ni on w ith God that sh e ha d meri t ed t h e

favour of being in a sensible m anner j oined t o Him in
mys tic nup ti als a nd sh e aft erwards g ave suc h ex tr a
,

ordin ary proofs of deli ty a s w ell a s suc h wonderful

,

conformity of soul w ith H im that sh e deserved at ,

length t o be ar His likeness in h er bod y b y th e impres

sion of th e s a cred stigm ata We have seen h o w h e r .

h e art wa s visibly tr ansxed b y a d ar t of love fro m

Jesus C h ris t on th e F e a s t of th e Nativity in 1 6 9 6 I n .

th e follo w i n g y e ar th e w ou n d wa s repe at ed and sh e ,

received simil ar ones on h er hands and fee t reec t ed ,

from th e ve mos t h oly Wounds of h er crucied L ord .

Before rel at ing th e de ta ils of th is even t w e mus t ,

rem ark that alth ough th ere is su fcien t cer tain ty in

th e c a ses men t ioned abov e t o s at isfy every sensible
person of th eir au th en t icity p ar ticul arl y in th e in , :
 1 42 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

do an yth ing I wa s in p ain bu t i t wa s th e p ain of

.
,

love . T h e more h elpless and inc ap able I fel t myself ,

th e more th orough l y did I le a rn that in m y self I was

no th ing ; a nd th e incre asing light wh ic h ill umin at ed
me on th is poin t c aused me t o see more cle arl y Jesu s
crucied All at once o ur L ord a ssis t ed a nd enrich ed
.

me 3 for every th ing that is good in a soul is His H e .

m a de me unders tand th is a nd t old me that i t wa s His,

desire t o rene w m y w ound and seemed t o a sk me , ,

moreover wh e th er I w ould have i t t o be so 0 in

, .

nit e love of God At th e s ame momen t He infused

His love in t o m y soul a nd g ave me in t im at e c o mm u
,

n i c at i o n s of His gre at ness a nd His po w er m a king me ,

at th e s ame t ime conscious of my o w n n o thingness ,

wh ic h enlight ened me s t ill more w i th respec t t o Him

self He c aused m y soul t o pene tr at e ever more
.

in t o th e dep th s of His inni t e love a nd repe at ed th e ,

q ues tion Art th ou w illing that I s h ould w ound th ee !

,

I am come t o take away from th ee everyth ing that

is a h indra nce t o m y love I s aid no th ing ; I fel t
.

m y self a s no th ing 3 I ha d no t cour age t o s ay S tri ke ,

me O L ord nei th er could I ans w er no T h en o ur
, , .

L ord s aid Tell Me what dos t th ou wis h for ! I a m

, ,

come t o rene w thy w ound ; bu t what s ay es t th ou !

dos t th ou desire i t ! I wa s h ereupon r aised int o a
s tat e of r ap t ure a nd t ransport ed a s on wings very ne ar
,

th e L ord Being complet el y resigned t o His Will I

.
,

s aid t o Him th ough wi th ou t Spe aking L ord T h ou

, ,

,

kno w es t that I w is h for no th ing bu t th e a ccomplis h

men t of T hy Will Beh old me prep ared for what ever
.

Al l at once I be h eld a gre at light

m ay ple a se T h ee .

le ave th e F ee t of Jesus a nd come t o wards m e , .

W h en i t ha d come close t o me i t a ssumed th e ,

appe ar an c e of a sm all ame I n th e mid dle of it .

 S VERONICA GIULIANI
. . 1 43

wa s a l arge n ail wh ich pierced m y h e ar t th ro u g h

,

and th rough God kno w s w hat p ain I fel t T h e n

. .

I re t urned t o m yself crying aloud My Jesus 1 I m , ,

medi at el y I wa s c aught b a ck int o m y s tat e Of ecs ta s y .

T h e s ame V ision wa s before me of Jesus crucied bu t ,

in His left F oo t th ere wa s no n ail He s aid t o me .

,

No w th ou ar t Mine 3 bu t I a m n o t y e t full y s at ised .

I replied a s I ha d done before O L ord be h old I a m , ,

comple t el y T hine : w ork Thy Will in me for I c an d o ,

no th ing . He informed me that on Good Frid ay H e

w ould wh oll y t r ansfor m me in t o Himself a nd tha t ,

He w ould se al m y hands a nd m y fee t w i th th e m ark s

of His h ol y Wounds in order that I might b e en t irel y
,

His He t old me that for th e presen t m y w ound s

.

sh ould be h idden bu t that i t wa s His Will t o crucify

,

me again and again t o th e end that I might be t o tall y

,

de a d t o my self a nd t o everyth ing .

V eronic a goes on t o say that sh e pr ay ed very fer

v e n tl y for h er confessor for h er direc t ors a nd p ar t i , , s

c ul arl y for h er o wn soul a s w ell a s for th ose O f h e r ,

sis t ers and all h er order Wi th deep h umi li ty wh ic h

,
.
,

could no t have been th e frui t of di abolic al illusion

.

sh e con t inues Hereupon our L ord in a speci al com

,

m u n i c ati o n m a de me kno w a nd unders tand that

h ith er t o I ha d been a religious onl y in n ame an d that ,

i t wa s no w t ime t o be one in re ali ty He t old me als o .

that in order t o compre h end th e full me aning of th e

w ord religious I mus t en t er th e sch ool of His Wo u nds

,

and le arn i t all th ere He communic at ed light t o m y .

soul suc h a s I am un able t o describe

,
He m ade m e .

understand that I ha d never y e t ab a ndoned th e li ttle

w orld wh ic h is m yself and that th erefore I ha d been , , ,

a religious onl y in n ame a nd in habi t He th en re .

minded me of our fath er S Fr ancis a nd our mo th e r .

,
 1 44 s VERONICA GIULIANI
. .

S .C l are th e founders of th is h oly ins ti t u t e 3 a nd t old me

,

that I mus t be denuded of self a nd of eve ryth ing a nd ,

th en be crucied wi th Jesus a s th e y ha d been Aft er .

th is our L ord s aid t o me L ook on Me 3 d os t th ou see ,

h o w muc h I have done for thy s alvat ion ! I desire th ee

t o be solel y in t en t on m y service Direc t thy wh ole .

min d a nd all thy th ought s t o Me C ommi t all thy .

w orks in t o My hands and be c areful t o c o oper at e with

,
-

what I w ork i n T h ee I mmedi at el y aft er this H e

.

v a nis h ed from m y sight O n re t urning t o m y n at ural

.

s tat e I fel t a nxious t o be dives t ed of self a nd e a rnes t l y ,

d esirous of correspo nding w i th our L o rd s Will 3 I

w ish ed also t o observe our h ol y rule in deed a nd i n

t r u th I desired every sor t of su ffering and excl aimed
.
,

from m y h e ar t : My L ord crucify me w ith T hys e lf

, ,

o th er wise I shall no t b e s at ised I desire t o ple ase .

T h ee a nd I kno w that i t ple a ses T h ee wh e n T hy

,

spouses suffer for T hy love I long for p ains a nd .

crosses in order t o give ple a sure t o T h ee Wh o art m y

,

h igh es t good Pr aise b e t o God I

.

Wh en our L ord ha d prep ared h er b y me ans of

th es e s aintl y a ff ec tions whic h w ere ever on th e i n
,

cre a se for th e cruci xion t o wh ic h sh e a spired He

, ,

c ame t o s at isfy h er desires a ccording t o His promise ,

on Good F rid ay whi c h fell that y ear on th e 5 th of

,

April A s i t is more tha n ever nece ss ary t o keep t o

.

h er o wn w ords th e re a der w ill permi t us t o give th e

,

p a ss age en t ire al th ough i t is r ath er long

,
.

T h e 5 th of April 1 69 7 Laus Deo ! I have p assed
,
.

th e gr e at er p ar t of th e night in recollec tion Fro m tw o .

t o fon r o clock I had a Vision of Jesus Risen in com
p any w ith th e mos t Blessed Virgin a nd all th e s aint s ,

as I ha d seen th em on o th e r oc ca s i ons O ur L ord com

man d e d m e t o begi n my confession I d i d SO bu t no .

,
1 46 VERONICA GIULIAN I .

of i t I c a n onl y men t ion i t s effec t s wh ic h w ere ex

.
, ,

t reme grief for m y sins a fuller percep t ion of th eir ,

m alice t oge th er w i th suc h h orror a nd de t es tat ion of

,

th em that I w ould gl a dl y have c h osen t o suffer all

,

that ha s ever been or w ill be endured b y all cre atures

un t il th e d ay of j udgmen t and all that th e h ol y m ar ty rs
,

have p a ssed th rough if I could th ereb y a nnul and ,

u ndo th e grievous evil wh ic h I have commi tt ed O my

.

God I cried mercy a nd p a rdon H e replied ! e s

,

,

, ,

I p a r d on th ee 3 I remi t th e wh ole deb t th rough M y

Wounds and My Blood Here m y an gel closed th e
.

confession b y a gener al a ccus at ion of all I ha d d one ,

a n d presen t ed me t o Jesus comple t el y p u ried The .

L ord th en rose a nd s aid t o me Va de in p a ce j a m ,

,

a m pl iu s noli pecc are Go in pe a ce a nd sin no more

. .
,

O God ! I experienced w onderful th ings bu t c a nno t ,

d escribe th em T h e L ord th en g ave me His blessing

.
,

a n d th e wh ole d is appe ared .

T h us concluded th e rs t V ision of that blessed night .

A s soon a s I re turned t o m y self sh e con t inues I ,
[
,

f el t a profound sorro w for al l m y O ffences ag ains t

God ; I w ould have endured a n y suffering for His
love . I th erefore performed m an y of m y u su al
pen ances T h e more I inic t ed on m yself th e more
.
,

did m y anxie ty to su ffer incre a se S O I s aid from m y ,

h e ar t L ord more p ains more crosses

,

,
I t ook th e ,
.

c rucix in m y ha nd and w en t on m akin g v arious

,

a c t s of resign at ion pr aise a nd thanksgiving I do .

, ,

n o t remember th e w ords I used in th ese a c t s bu t I ,

recollec t oft en repe at in g th e follo wing pr ay er : M y

d ivine S pouse crucify me w i th T h ee

, ! e s indee d .
, ,

m y Well beloved I pr ay T h ee t o m ake m e feel t h e

-
,

p ain a nd ago n y of T hy s a cred H ands and F ee t DO .

no t del ay ; no w is th e t ime 3 crucify m e with Th yself ,

 s . VERONICA GIULIANI . 147

my
'
beloved S pouse I w en t t o th ose h ol y W ounds
.

a nd kissed th e m a nd s aid M y cr u ci ed S pouse I

, , ,

i mplore T h ee t o g ive me th ose n ails of T h ine T h en

.

I a ddressed m yself t o His s a cred S ide and s aid ,

He ar t of m y h e ar t wh en w il t T h o u pierce th is h e ar t
,

wh ic h is T h ine ! I am wa i ting for th ee t o do so .

C ome come m y God ; h ere is m y h e ar t and m y

, , ,

wh ole self I uncovered th e w ound a nd s aid

.

, ,

T h is w ound of love m y God ple ads w i th T h ee fo r , ,

t h e conversion of Sinners p a r t icul a rl y of cer ta in indi ,

v i d ual s wh o m I n a med T h en I repl a ced th e cr u cix .

o n m y li tt le al ta r me a ning t o rem a in q uie t for a li ttle

,

wh ile bu t I could no t
,
I t ook i t in m y hand ag a in .
,

a nd s aid m an y th ings wh ic h jus t n o w I c anno t rec all 3

bu t I kno w that I s aid again a nd ag ain M y Spouse ,

,

m y L ove ! T h ou a r t fa s t ened t o th is C ross for th e

love of u s I t oo w is h t o be crucied for T hy love
.
, ,
.

D o no t del ay longer 3 no w is th e t ime \Vhil e pro

.

n o u n c i n g th ese w ords m y h e ar t be at s o V iolen t l y that i t

s eemed re a d y t o esc ape fro m m y bre a s t O God !what .

p a in did I th en endure I c a nno t t ell h o w I u tt ered

a ll this fo r I wa s a s i t w ere ou t of m yself All at

, , ,
.

once a de athlike ago n y c ame over me a nd l as t ed for ,

a bou t a n h our
.
during wh ich t ime I wa s t o tally i n
,

c ap able of moving or spe aking .

A s soon a s sh e recovered from this agon y sh e ,

s e t h erself t o pr ay a nd during h er pr ay er sh e ,

received th e impression of th e s acred s tigm ata .

Wh ils t I wa s pr ay ing for sinners sh e con t inues , ,

I bec ame recollec t ed a nd be h eld in a vision ,

Jesus crucied wi th th e Blessed Virgin of dolours

,

at th e foo t of th e cross a s sh e wa s on Moun t

, ,

C alv ary T h e L ord t old me that He ha d come t o

.

t r a nsfor m me en t irel y in t o Himself a nd t o se a l me ,

10
2
1 48 s . VER O NICA I
G UL I AN I .

w i th His Wounds I t urned t o th e Mos t Holy Virgin

.
,

a nd s aid t o h er w i th th e u t mos t condence Beh old ,

I a m re a d y for everyth ing 3 do th ou Mos t Hol y ,

Virgin o ffer thy self on m y behal f w i th a ll thy

, ,

m eri t s t oge th er w i th all th e p ains an d dolours wh ic h

,

th ou dids t su ff e r b e n e ath th e C ross at t h e t ime of our

L ord s s a cred P a ssion : a sk p ardon a nd m e rc y fo r me

from thy Son I c an do n o thi n g 3 beh ol d m y inc ap a

.

ci ty a nd wh o I am Prep are me for th is gra ce O ur

,
. .

Blessed L a dy th e n present ed h ers e l f at th e F e e t o f h e r

divine Son a nd did a ll I a sk e d 1 11 a momen t Wh ile
,
.

sh e pr ay e d for m e I wa s enlight ened a s t o m y o wn

,
.

n o th ingness a nd m a de t o perceive that a ll I was no w

,

p a ssing through wa s th e w ork o f God I was en abled .

t o se e t h e love w i th whic h God ch eris h es souls espe ,

c i al l y ungr at e ful ones like mine I wa s a lso led t o a .

more in t im at e a c q u ain tance w i th m y o w n h elplessness .

a n d ingr at i t u de and I fel t m y o w n n o thingness O

, .

God I c a nno t expl ain th is at all 3 I c an onl y say that

t h e resul t produced in m y soul wa s rm h ope in God ,

and deta ch m e n t from my self God alone !a nd m y sou l .

.

alone Here i t wa s communic at ed t o me b y th e L ord

that i t w as His Will t o regul at e for th e fu t ure m y
m ode of l ife a nd a ll m y a c t ions 3 a nd He repe at ed th e
w ords I a m come t o m ake th e e like t o My self : I
,

a m going t o crucify th ee I c anno t express th e m a n

.

ner i n wh ic h th is pierced m y h e art Wh ile our L ord .

spoke th us He dre w this soul of mine int o a lovi n g

,

union w ith Hims e lf : a nd i t seemed t o me that H e

h e ight e n e d m y s tat e of recollec t ion in t o one of r ap t ure .

At th e s ame momen t th ere c ame t o me s o e arnes t a

desire t o be crucied w i th our L ord that I t urned t o ,

th e mos t h ol y Virgin an d s aid 0 Mo th er of merc y , ,

and comp a ssion ob tain for me th e gra c e t o be crucie d

,
1 50 s . V ER O N I C A GIULIANI .

Spouse commended and dedic at ed me t o th e p e rp e tu al

,

c are of h is Blessed Mo th er consigned me a fres h t o m y ,

gu ardia n an gel and th en spoke t o me a s follow s I a m

, ,

en tirel y thine a sk of Me what gr a ce th ou w il t a nd I ,

w ill s atisfy th ee I a ns w er e d Gr a nt that I m ay

.

never be sep a r at ed from T h ee T h en suddenl y th e .

wh ole v anis h ed from m y sight 3 I r e t u r n e d t o m y self ,

an d found t h at m y arms w ere ou t s t re t ch ed a nd

s tiff ened 3 mor e over I w as conscious of ex treme p ain
i n m y ha nds fee t and h e a r t
,
I fe lt that th e l att e r
,
.

w ound wa s open and bleedin g I w as an xious t o i n .

spec t i t b u t was u n abl e t o do so in conse quence o f th e

,

p ain in m y han d s At leng th h o w ever I succeeded

.
, , ,

a nd found i t w ide open w i th bo th b l ood a nd wat er ,

proceeding from i t .

Suc h is th e a ccoun t of th is m arvellous favour wh ic h

Veron ic a dre w u p for h er confessor I t is impossible .
:

a ft er perusin g i t t o se t i t do w n a s th e product ion of a .

h e at ed fancy s till less of di abolic al illusion

,
Th e .

Spiri t of God is app a ren t th rou gh ou t th e en t ire n arr a

t ive a nd in t h e very s tyle in wh ich i t is w ritt en A s
,
.

soon as he r confessor ha d communic at ed th e wh ole

m att er t o M gr Eu st ac hj that vener able prel at e t oo k
.
,

cer tain pruden t prec au t ions a s all superiors an d ,

spiri t u al direc t ors are bound t o do wh enever suc h ex

t rao rd i n ary c a s e s come under th e ir observ at ion in ,

order t o t es t th e ir t ru th and spiri t Inves t ig at ions o f .

a fa r s t ric t er n at ure w ere subs e quen tl y m a de wh en ,

t h e sa cred t ribu n a l of th e I n quisi t ion at R ome h ad

b e en in form e d o f th e circu m s tances T h e bish op was .

th en direct ed t o proc e ed t o severer t es t s of wh ic h ,

w e shal l spe ak in th e th ird book wh ic h con tains th e ,

a ccoun t of h er h eroic virt ues It w as on th e 5 th of .

A pril as ha s been alrea dy s tat ed th at Ve ronic a received

, ,
 s . V ER O N I C A G ULI I AN I . 15 1

th e s a cr e d s t ig m ata O n th e 1 2th of t h e fol l o win g

.

July w e nd from h er o w n w ri t ings that our L ord

,

g ave h er a speci al invi tation t o sha re in His cross a nd ,

wa rned h er of t h e st eps wh ic h w oul d be taken con

cerning h er b y th e vener able t ribun a l in ques tion .

T h e rs t l e tt er wh ich wa s w ri tt en on th e subjec t b y
h i s Eminence Ca rdin al C yb o secre ta r y of th e con ,

re ati o n of t h e Hol y O fc e t o Bis h op E u st ac hj is

g g , ,

d at ed on th e 20th of th e s am e mon th 3 th e second w as

w ri tt en on th e 1 0th of Augus t th e th ird on th e 1 4th ,

of Sep t ember a nd th e four th a nd l a s t on th e 5 th o f

,

O c t ober B y this t ime th e s a cred t ribun al wa s s at is

.

e d w i th th e replies of t h e bis h op a nd t h e ex a min a

t ions h e ha d m a d e a nd direc t ed h im i n th e l a s t men
,
-

t i o n e d le tt er t o inves tig at e th e m att er no fur th er a nd
, ,

t o say no th ing more abou t i t bu t t o keep sil ence on th e

,

s ubjec t . Suc h a re th e precise t erms of th e document ,

a nd th e y a re th e dic tat es of prudence 3 for i t wa s no t

only desirab l e t o preven t gossiping on th e p ar t of t h e
public bu t a lso t o preclude th e possibili ty of a v ai n
,

th ought ari sing in th e mi n d of th e servan t of God .

T h e bish op wa s fur th ermore direc t ed t o a sk n o

more ques tion s of th e nuns and t o for ward no a d ,

d iti o n al p a r t icul a rs t o th e S a cred C ongreg at ion wh ic h ,

ha d ga ined sufcien t inform at ion from h is previou s

le tt ers. Hence i t is cle ar that th e s a cr e d t ribun a l
t ook t h e sa me vie w wh ich th e bish op ha d done in h is
v ariou s a ns w ers wh ic h for brevi ty s sake are omi tt ed
,

h ere of th e supern at ur al fa c t above rel at ed a s also o f

, ,

t h e s anc t i ty of th e spiri t of V eronic a 3 a l th oug h fo r

good re asons i t declined t o a nnounce i t openly during
h er lif e t ime .Ho w ever a sufcien t l y cle a r d e clara
,

t ion wa s m a d e indirec tl y in th e y e ar 1 7 1 6 wh en th e ,

nun s b e ing desirous of elec t in g h er abbe ss applic at ion ,

 152 .
S . VER ONI C A GIULIANI .

w as m a de t o th e s a cred tribun al for permission to d o

s o wh ic h wa s immedi at el y gr a n t e d i n a le tt er from
,

th e secre tary Cardin al Sp a d a d at ed th e 7 th of M arch

, ,
.

His Eminence expressed h imsel f persu aded that t h e

proposed s t ep w ould be conducive t o the h onour of
G o d a nd beneci a l t o th e souls of t h e religious
, .

C H APTER VIII .

TH E A T A A RE REPE AT E D O N VA R I OU S O CC A
I
'

ST GM

S I ON S AN D ATT E S T E D B ! NEW A ND S AT I S FA C T O RY
,

PR O O F S .

WH E N Veronic a h ad been se a led w ith t h e precious

m arks o f our redemp t ion sh e d e riv e d grat ic at ion bo th
,

from th e p ain Sh e f e l t a nd also from t h e gre at resem

,

bl ance wh ic h no w exis t ed be tw een h erself a nd h e r

C ru c i e d Spouse 3 bu t h er j o y wa s d am p e d o n re c e iv '

i n g a n in t im at ion from t h e bis h op desiring h er t o ,

ou t a n opening in h er d ress s o that th e w ound at h e r

h e ar t might be seen for h is lords hip wa s anxious t o

,

t es t th e re al i ty of the s a cred s tigm ata in presence of

c o m pe t en t w i t nesses F or th is purpose b e m a de c h oice
.

of four wh o w ere all dis tinguis h ed for th eir vir tue and
, ,

s u fcien t l y a dv a nced in y e a rs vi z Fath er M An t onio,

.
,
.

T a ssin a ri of th e Servit es 3 Fath e r U b aldo An t onio

,

C ap e ll e t t i of th e O r at ory 3 Fath er Vi ta le of Bo l ogn a

, , ,

o f th e R eformed F ian c i sc an s 3 an d th e Fath er Prior of

'

th e Domin ic a ns of that city a nd at th e t ime w e spe a k ,

o f ex t r a ordin ar y con fessor t o th e mon a s t er y wh ere Ve

r onic a lived O ur S a in t was obliged t o e x h ibi t h er

.

w ounds one b y one t o e ac h o f th ese in dividu al s h oldin g ,

m e an t ime a lig ht ed c a ndle in h er ha nd Suc h m a r tyr .

d o m was th us imposed on h e r m ai d e n l y r e s e rv e an d deep

154 V ER ON I C A GIULIANI .

h er durin g a r ap t ure of th e inves t ig at ions wh ich

w ould be ordered b y th e Hol y O fce at R ome 3
a n d th en V eronic a s e t h ersel f t o implore h e r divin e

Spouse w i th th e u t mos t fervour that He w ould d e ign

t o a ver t such public proce e din gs b y wi th dr aw in g
t h e s t igm ata Bu t th e L ord Wh o d e sired t o m a ke
.
,

kno w n th e gift s and meri t s of His beloved spouse ,

replied a s follo w s : T h e Hol y O fce s hall a ppl y i t s

t es t s an d s hall d e cl are that i t is a ll My w ork ; and
,

soon aft er that I w ill take from th ee t h e m arks i n th y

hands a nd fee t bu t b e pre p ar e d t o su ffe r much T hi s
,
.

is My Will 3 rel at e a ll that ha s p a ssed t o thy confessor .

Suc h wa s th e perfe c t resign ation of V eronic a that sh e

simpl y prep a red h erself fo r wh at ever God des t ined
for h er .

T h e Hol y O fce expressed i t self s at ised on th e 5 th

of th e follo w i n g O c t ober a s men t ioned above 3 an d
,

V eronic a m ind ful of t h e promise sh e ha d received

, ,

beg an once more t o s uppl i c at e h er divine Spouse that .

He w ould remove th e ou twa rd t okens o f His P a ssion .

Bu t d u ring a visio n wh ic h occurred on th e night of th e

,

3 rd o f J a nu ar y 1 6 9 9 our L ord rene w ed t h ep a in of h e r

, ,

ve w ounds a nd in formed h er that sh e mus t be ar t h e

,

visible impression o f th em un t il th ree y e a rs from th eir

rs t inic tion s h ould have been comple t ed 3 for that

w as th e me a ning o f t h e w ords soon aft er that i n
,

th e promise refe rred t o T h e s tigm ata w ere again re

.

ne w ed on t h e 20th of th e follo w in g F ebru a ry a ecom ,

p an i e d w i th a no th er a ssur a nce that th e y s h ould b e

w i th dr awn aft er th e ex p ir at ion o f th e th ree y e ars b u t ,

no t before a s i t wa s th e Will o f o u r L ord that t h e

,

re ality of His w ork s h ould be recogniz ed At l ength

,
.

on th e 1 7 th of M arc h in th e f ollow ing y e ar 1 7 00, ,

th e L ord pr e s e n t e d H im self t o h er all over w ounds

, ,
 s . VE RONI C A G IULIA NI . 15 5 .

covered wi th blood a nd cro wned w i th th orns
,
At .

th e s ame momen t Veronic a w ri t es m y o w n crow n
, ,

of th orns s eemed t o press on m y bro w a nd c aused me ,

gre at p ain O ur L ord also seemed t o t ouc h th e w ound s

.

in m y hands a nd fee t a nd wh ile He did so m y su ffering

,

w as ex treme H e s aid t o m e Ca lm thy sel f 3 th o u

.
,

s hal t have th e gra ce th ou seekes t 3 in a fe w d ay s I w ill

take away th e m a rks of th ese w ounds and th ou w il t ,

have th em no more Bu t I a sked Why w il t T h ou

.

no t take th em from me no w 1 To wh ic h He replied

,

I w is h th e three y e ars t o be fullled a s I have m a de ,

th ee understand sever a l t imes .

I t wa s n o t un t il th e compl e t ion o f th is t erm vi z ,

.
,

on th e 5 th of April in th e y e ar 1 7 00 t hat V eronic a

, ,

ob ta ined th e favour sh e so muc h de sired I t is w ell .

t o re fer t o h er o w n a ccoun t in order that w e m ay re ,

m ark th e c au t ion whic h sh e observed in de a ling w ith

visions a l th oug h b y th is t ime lo n g e xperience ha d
,

m a de h er qui t e used t o th em an d h e r s oul wa s no w s o ,

muc h at h ome w ith God if w e m ay be permi tt ed suc h ,

a n expression that sh e could hardly doub t th e re a li ty

,

of suc h fa vours .

O n th e 5 th sh e w ri t es I p a ssed th e night ,

i n gre at p ain From th e rs t h our un t il i t s truck

.

th ree I experienced v a rious kinds of bodily su ffering

, ,

besides t ri al s and desol at ion a nd t emp tat ions o f ,

every descrip t ion Pr a ise be t o God At th e th i r d

. .

h our I rene w ed m y pro t es tat ions I fel t desirou s .

that our L ord w ould imp ar t t o me a spiri t of t r u e re

p n t an c e for m y sins a nd I excl a i m ed from m y h e ar t
e
, ,

My God bes t o w th is gr a ce on me that I m ay be n o

,

longer ungr at eful t o T h ee bu t m ay i n all things fa i th ,

full y correspond t o a nd a ccomplis h T hy h oly Will I .

a m r e a dy for everyth ing It seemed t o me that at tha t

.

1 56 VER ONI CA GIULIANI .

momen t I was m a d e i n tim at ely a c qu ain t ed w i th m y true

s tat e ; I bec ame absorbed in recollec t ion an d be h eld a ,

V ision of Jesus crucied I wa s gre atly a frai d fe aring

.
,

l es t i t might be an illusion of t h e devil So I se emed .

t o m ake certain a c t s indic at ive of con t emp t I r aised .

m y wh ole h e a r t t o God an d s aid ,

Do no t su ffer th e ,

t emp t er O L ord t o do th ese th ings t o me for I do no t

, , ,

wan t visions 3 what I d e sire is sorro w f o r m y sins a nd ,

kno wledge of m y self Ag ain I expressed m y con t emp t

.

a n d a b h orrence a s w ell a s m y a nxie ty t o dispel th e

,

vision . Bu t th e C ru ci e d O ne s a id t o me I a m ,

n o t S ata n as th ou c o n e c tu re st bu t Jesus thy cruci

, j , ,

e d Spouse .I am come t o s treng th en th ee t o su ffer .

To wh ic h I r e pli e d I do no t believe that th ou art Jesus

,

,

bu t r ath er t h e e n e m y wh o w is h es t o deceive m e 3 a nd
t h erefore I reg a rd th ee no t I d e sir e a nd long t o ha ve
.

t rue co nt ri t ion and a kno w ledge of m y self besides a ,

t rue love of God . He replied A ll th ese th ou s hal t

,

ha ve and th e fa vour wh ic h ha s been promised th ee

,

s ha ll be gr a n t ed th ee no w Suddenl y I wa s sei z ed

.

w i th suc h sorro w for m y sins that I fel t as th ough m y

h e ar t w ould burs t w i th a nguis h At th e s a me t ime I .

s eemed t o receive in t im at e communic at ions reg a rding

th e imme n se love a nd chari ty of God T h en .

f rom His Wounds th ere proceeded r ay s of splendour

wh ic h a dv anced t o wa rds me Me an t ime I fel t m y .

h e ar t pierced a s w i th a s harp l ance and m y hands a nd ,

f ee t w i th h e a v y n ails T h e r ay s of glory re t urned t o

.

th e C ru c i e d L ord a nd I s e e m e d t o be h old j e t s of
,

blood issuing from H is Wounds a nd re a ch in g to th e ,

p a r t s in wh ic h I fe lt s o muc h p a in vi z th e h e ar t th e ,
.
, ,

hands and th e f ee t T h e su fferi n g I endured was s o

,
.

g re at that i t a ppe a red a s th oug h th e es h was bei n g

t orn from m y bone s .
 158 s . VER ON I C A GIULIANI .

d rawn ,
v
i t mus t no t be im agined that every ou tward
s ymp t om wa s removed Several ey e w it nesses att es t e d
.
-

i n th e process that wh ere th e w ounds ha d been

th e r e s t ill re mained certain red spo t s of th e s ame
s hape some t imes of a deeper some t imes of a fa in t er
, , ,

colour Her h umility s h r ank frOm th e ide a of even

.

th ese being se e n ; so s h e found some p re t ence for

w e aring litt le b and ages wh ic h conce aled th em and , ,

s h e f re q uen t l y en t re a t ed our L ord t o c a use th e m t o

dis app e a r Bu t our L ord t old h er that th is mus t no t

.

be un t i l a sh or t t ime previous t o h e r de ath 3 a nd th e

s ame wi t nesses decl are that during th e l a s t d ay s of
h er life th ese red spo t s gre w p al e r a ssuming a purplis h
'

h ue a nd at l ength bec ame wh i t e like th e res t of h e r

, ,

skin only some what more s m oo th a nd t ra nsp aren t

,
.

T h is wa s found t o be th e c a se duri n g th e ex amin at ion

t o whic h h er bod y w as subj ec t ed a ft er h e r d e ath .

Bu t a l th ough th e ou twa rd m arks of th e s tigm ata

w ere w ith dr awn a s w e ha v e s e en i n Ap ril 1 7 00
, , , ,

s u ffe ring from th em wa s no t at a n end a nd th e y w ere ,

e ven som e t imes rene wed We nd from Veronic a s

.

o w n wri t i n gs t h at suc h wa s th e c a se on th e 6 th of A pril

, ,

1 7 03 It w a s al so decl ared b y v arious w i tnesses that

.

t h e s tigm ata w ere sever al t imes rene w ed t ill wi th in a

f e w d ay s of h er de ath ; and o n th es e occ a sions blood
u sed t o o w from th em Moreover Sis t er M ary M ag
.

d al e n B o sc ain i wh en s h e g a v e h e r evidence i n th e
,

a pos t olic process m a in ta ined that th e y w ere rene w ed

,

abou t th ree h o u rs be for e th e A ve M a ri a ever y F rid ay

i n th e y e a r on all th e gre at er f e a s t s of th e y e a r a s
, ,

a lso on t h e 1 7 th of S e p t ember wh ic h is th e d ay ,

on wh ich th e c h urc h commemor at es th e s tigm ata

of S F r ancis on th e 4th of O c t ober wh ich is
.
, ,

t h e fe a s t of that s a in t a nd wh enever sh e w as ,
 S V ER ONI C A GIULIANI
. . 159

p ut under obedience t o re q ues t th e fa vou r A s an .

ins tance of th is on Good Frid ay wh ic h f ell o n

, ,

th e 1 9th of April 1 7 26 V eronic a ha ving ment ioned

, ,

t o h er confessor Fath er R aniero Giuseppe M ari a

,

G u e l that o u r L o rd Jesus ha d tw ice m a de c h oice of

'

'

this d ay t o rene w h er ve w ounds h e being a nxious ,

t hat t h e fa c t s h ould be more f u ll y cer t ied a nd a lso ,

for th e gre at er t ri al of h er obedience direc t ed h er t o ,

pr ay that our L ord w ould deign t o rene w th em a

third t ime S h e received th is order w i th j o y and
.

a l a cri ty a nd fe ll int o a n ecs ta s y at th e fee t of h er

,

c onfessor O n recovering h er senses Sh e decl a red that

.

th e boon ha d been gran t ed He th erefore sen t h er t o .

t h e w indo w wh ere h ol y C ommunion w as giv e n i n ,

order that h e might inspec t h er hands 3 a nd th en t o h is

a m az emen t h e be h eld th em w ounded a nd bleeding .

Wish ing that th is evidence s h ould b e corrobor at ed b y

t hat of o th er w i t nesses h e pr e t ended that h e did n o t
,

believe h er a nd s a id that sh e mus t be mor t ied on

,

a ccoun t of h e r disobedience 3 a ccordingl y h e desired

h er t o Sh o w h erself t o th e Mo th ers Sis t er F lorid a

C e o li a nd Sis t er M a ry M agd a len B o scai n i
,
T h ey bo th .

ha d a perfec t Vie w of h e r ve w ounds wh ich w ere open ,

a nd dropping w i th blood a s th e y subse q uen tl y d e posed

,

i n th e process .

Al th ough a ft er a ll t hat ha s been s a id bo th in this ,

a n d th e preceding c ha p t er i t is impossible that a n y,

doub t s h ould occur t o th e mind a s t o th e re ali ty a nd

S upern at ur a l c ha r a c t er of th e r a re gi ft s wh ic h w e ha ve

recorded th e m att er m ay be fur th er illus t rat ed b y th e

,

follow ing circums tances In th e rs t pl a c e i t is w or thy

.
,

o f rem a rk that wh en th e above men t ioned w ounds

,
-

w ere op e n th e y emi tt ed so delicious a fr agr a nc e

,

thro ugh ou t th e wh ole of th e conven t that i t alone

1 60 s . V ER ONI CA GIULIANI .

w as su fficien t t o inform th e nuns wh enever th e s tig .

m ata ha d been rene w ed : a nd on severa l occ a sions th e

religious w ere convinced b y ocul ar demons tr at ion that
th e y ha d n o t been deceived W h en th e b and ages
.

whic h ha d been applied t o th ese my s t erio u s w ounds

w ere pu t away th e y communic at ed th e s ame s wee t
,

p erfume t o everyth ing ne a r th em This fa c t is at .

e

t es t ed b y Sist er F lorid a C e o l i T h e second rem ark.

able circums tance is that wh en b y order o f th e bish op

th e medic al pro fessors exer t ed th eir u t mos t skill t o
cure th e w ounds of V eronic a so far from being able ,

t o h e al th em th eir remedies onl y c aus e d in a mm at io n

,
.

Bu t a s till more convin cing proof tha n e i th er wa s h er :

being able t o live a nd w ork in t h e mids t of i t all Aft er .

h er de ath wh en th e p hy sici a n a nd surgeon ex amin e d

,

th e w ound wh ic h pene t rat ed from a bove th e le ft bre a s t

,
.

t o th e h e ar t th ey b o th agreed that i t wa s p hy sic ally

,

impossible for a p e rson t o live w i th suc h a w ound ,

a nd t h at h er exis t ence mus t th erefore hav e been th e re

sul t o f a mir a cle Th is convic t ion wa s s trength ened

w h en th e nuns decl ared that th e y ha d fre q uen t l y s e e n

bre ath proceeding from i t : a nd y e t Veronic a lived in
th is condit ion for abou t th irty y e ars 3 and wh en h e r
ha nds an d fee t w ere thus pierced sh e w ould wal k ,

w i th agility wh enever h er du ty re quired i t and do ,

what ever h er o ffices or th e communi ty life re quired .

A t leng t h wh en th e w ounds bec a me closed i t was

, ,

more cle ar tha n ever that th e wh ole wa s supern at ur al .

Suc h was th e o pin ion of Gen t ili th e surgeon wh o , ,

ex amined th e c a se 3 for in th e course o f n ature a w ound

does no t h e al w i th ou t becoming covered b y a sc a r .

T h is is a fa c t of wh ic h d ail y experience a ssur e s us bu t ,

Veronic a s w ounds on th e con t ra ry a s soon a s th e y

, ,

cl o sed w ere covered w i th perfec tl y smoo th skin on

, ,
1 62 s . VER ONI C A GIULIANI .

a nd la s tly that sh e wa s t o pra c tise th e mos t ex a c t

,

obedience bec a use a soul t h at is perfec t in this
,

virt ue is li able t o no j udgmen t at th e hand of God ,

for what ever sh e d o e s th roug h h ol y obedience is sure

t o be th e Will of God T h ese th ree injunc tions
.
,

con t inues th e journ al pene t r at ed s o deep that th e y
,

seemed t o be engr aven on m y inmos t h e ar t T h e .

Blessed Virgin conrmed all that th e Fath er ha d

s ai d . T h e h umili ty wh ic h V eronic a evinced wh en
sh e r e c e iv e d th is a ssur anc e of th e re ali ty of h e r gi ft s

a ft er tw en ty y e ars of doub t a nd appreh ension is t rul y ,

rem a rk able Bu t w e mus t no t omi t t o men t ion th e

.

gr at efu l t e st imon y wh ic h sh e a dds in pr ais e of h e r

benefa c t or Me anwh ile S h e w ri t es
.
,
o u r Blessed
,

L a d y s h o w ed me that th e Soul of Fath er T o m m asin i

w ore on h is bre a s t a mos t precious e w e l wh ic h s h one ,

a s w i th th e uni t ed splendour of a mul t i tude of suns

indeed th e sun wh ic h w e s e e in th e rm am e n t is
d a rk i n comp arison wi th that brilli an t ligh t .

w as given t o unders tand th e r e a son wh y h e w ore th i s

gem It wa s bec ause durin g th e wh ole of h is life on
.

e arth h e ha d a l wa y s kep t h is h e a r t xed on God I n ,

God a nd for God a lone 3 a nd th ere fore h e w ore th e

,

j e w e l at h is h e art t o s y mboli z e th e in t erior presence

,

of that divine love wh ic h w ould fain hav e dr awn th e

wh ole w orld t o God if that h a d been possible in orde r ,

t h at every cre at ure might l o v e G o d Wh o is Suprem e

L ove Sur e l y th is I s t h e eulogium o f a re al apos t le 3
.

and w e l e ave i t t o th e r e a d e r t o decide i t s v alue ,

comin g as i t does from such a source .

 s . VE R ONI C A GIULIANI . 1 63

C HAPTER I X .

V E R ONI C A PA RT I C I PAT E S I N ALL TH E O TH ER DoLOU Rs

W H I C H C O NST I T U TE D T H E D IVI NE PA SS IO N W ON .
-

DE RE U L M A R ! S I M PR I N T E D O N H E R H EART .

TH E bi tt er chalice and th e cro w n of th orns t oge th e r ,

w i th His ve princip al W ounds w ere no t th e onl y ,

t oken s b y wh ic h Jesus wa s pl e a sed t o s h o w th e speci a l

love wh ic h He bore t o His spouse V eronic a It was .

His Will that sh e s h ou l d s hare in all th e su ff erings o f

His P a ssion I n proof of th is we have besides h e r
.
,

o w n a ccoun t th e depositions of m an y e y e wi t nesses

,
-
,

wh ic h w ere m a de in th e processes th e deponen t s ,

having ha d th e mos t indi spu table evidence as t o th e

fa c t s in q u es tion O ne of th e rem a rk able s ymp t om s
.

re ferred t o wa s a very consider able curv at ur e of th e

right s h oulder wh ic h ben t th e very bone j u s t a s th e
,

w eight o f a h e avy cross might have done Wh e n .

Gen tili th e surgeon ex am ined th e body a ft er d e ath h e

, , ,

decl ared that th e above circums tance was prodigiou s

a nd supern at ura l ; for as h e subse quen t l y stat ed i n th e
,

p r oc e ss I f i t ha d occurred b y n at ur al m e ans i t ,

w oul d ha ve preven t ed h e r from moving h e r a rms ;

wh ere a s h e con t inued
,
I have m y self fre quen t l y
,

seen th e Vener able Sis t er V eronic a using h er arms

a s freel y a s o th er persons a nd c a rry ing a bou t h e a v y
,

art icles of dress wh en sh e used t o render c ha ri tabl e

a ssis tance t o th ose sick religious wh o w ere m y p atien t s .

I n th e s ame way during h e r l a s t ill n e ss I saw h er mov e

, ,

h er right arm w i th ou t th e le a s t diffi cul ty a nd that t o o ,

wh ere th e s h oulder wa s p ar t icul a rl y depressed ; sh e

w as un able t o use h er left a rm for t h at ha d been ,

inc ap a citat ed b y a n apoplect ic s t roke .

1 1 2
1 64 s . VER ON I CA GIULIANI .

B u t, in order no t t o mul t ipl y references w e w ill ,

c onne ourselves t o th e t es t i m on y of Fath er G i ov an

M ari a C rivelli a cel ebrat ed Jesui t mission ary a s be ing

, ,

no t only th e mos t circums tan t i al bu t also th oroughly ,

a u th e n t ic at e d a s th e re a der will present l y se e

, .

T h e bish op Lu c An t o n i o Eu stac hj ha ving h e a rd

,

,

from th e nuns of th e ex t ra ordin ary t ri als cont or ,

-

t ions a nd agonies t o wh ic h Veronic a wa s s o fre

,

q u e n t ly li able and wh ic h h er medic a l att end an t s

,

w ere un able t o obvi at e or expl ain a nd having been ,

a lso informed b y h e r confessors that th e y w ere th e

r esul t s of h er experiencing at cer ta in t imes all th e

s u e rin gs of th e P a ssion of Jesus Ch ri s t wh ic h w ere ,

confe rred on h er b y a n especi al p r ivil e g e h is lordsh ip ,

bec ame desirous of b eing fur th er enlight ened a s t o

t h e fa c t s no t being cer ta in a s t o wh e th er i t wa s th e
,

w ork of God or a n illusion of th e devil F or this .

p urp o se h e summoned th e a bove men t ioned Jesui

-
t
Fath er from Florence i n th e y e ar 1 7 1 4 having h e ard ,

that h e was muc h skilled i n th e direc t ion of souls .

Fath er C rivelli a ccordingly c ame i n November a nd ,

t h e bis h op ha ving th orough l y informed h im a s t o th e

de ta ils of th e c a se i n ord e r that h e might be th e
,

be tt er en abled t o c arry ou t h is pl an s ap p oin t ed him ,

e x t r a ordin a r y confe ssor t o th e conven t f o r th e sp a ce

o f tw o mon th s during wh ic h t ime h e w i th dre w th eir

,

ordin ary dir e c t or Fath e r C riv e lli c aused Veronic a t o

.

m ake a gener al con fe ssion a nd disclose t o h i m th e

,

en tire s tat e of h er conscience a s well a s all th e gift s s h e

,

ha d received C omp aring what h e h e ard from h er o w n

.

lips w i th what th e o th e r nuns ha d observed concerning

h er i t occurred t o h im or r ath er h e wa s enlight ened
, ,

b y God t o apply a t es t wh ic h w ou l d at once discover

, ,

wh eth er th e spiri t wh ich guided h er w ere good or evil .

 1 66 s . VER ON I C A GIULIAN I .

h e c alled t o h er a gain a s h ort t ime a ft er sh e was , ,

a ble t o repe at th e ve injunc t ions w ord for w ord , ,

in th e order i n wh ic h h e ha d conceived th em ,
The .

Fath er wa s am az ed and immediat ely recogniz ed th e

,

Spiri t o f God Bu t conce al ing h is a s t onis h men t h e

.
, ,

s aid : Be tw een spe akin g and doing th ere is a g re a t
d i ff erence .Bu t I s ha ll reserve my self fo r some o th er
oppor tunity of a scer taining wh e th er m y orders c a n be

li t erally a ccomplis h ed V eronic a c a ndidl y r e plied
.

that sh e wa s q ui t e prep ared t o obey h im a nd w ith , ,

th e a ssis ta nce of God a nd mos t h ol y M ary t o full ,

everyth ing h e ha d comm anded for sh e con tinued I , , ,

conde simply in th e vir t ue of h oly obedience i n th e ,

Wil l of God and t h e a id of m o s t h o ly M ary
,
.

Some d ay s a ft er th is h e re t urned t o th e conven t ,

a nd desired h er t o pu t in execu t ion th e rs t of th e

ve orders wh ich h e ha d previousl y given h er viz ,
.
,

that th e w ound in h er side s h ould re open a nd s h e d -

blood He w is h ed th is t o occur wh ils t h e celebrat ed

.

th e h oly s a crice of th e M a ss at wh ic h h e b a de h er ,

a ssis t A s soon a s h e ha d o ffe red th e divine s a crice

.
,

and m a d e h is tha nksgiving h e summoned Veronic a t o ,

th e con fession a l a nd in quired if h er w ound w ere open

,

a n d bleeding

S h e h umbl y replied
.

! es T hat ,
.

is no t eno ugh for me rejoined th e Fath er wh o w ish ed
, ,

f o r more evidence
Appl y a wh it e h andkerch ief t o
.

th e pl a ce a nd th en give i t m e
,
V eronic a obey ed .
,

a n d th e h a ndkerc h ie f wh en sh e g a ve i t h im wa s so a ked
, ,

th roug h w i th warm blood wh ic h emi tt e d a mos t deli ,

cions perfume He th en w en t on t o th e second poin t

.
,

t hat h er w ound s h ould rem a in u nclosed un t il h e

s h ould direc t t o th e con t rary S h e promised sub m is .

s ion a nd s o h er t ri al wa s conclude d for that d ay

, .

Fath er C rivell i w en t at o n c e t o th e bis h op informed

.
,
 s . VER ON I C A GIULIAN I . 1 67

h is l ords hip of every th ing that ha d occ urred a nd ,

s h o w ed h im th e ha ndkerc h ief s t eeped in blood a nd ,

a ll fr a gr a n t so that t h e prel at e wa s lled w i th a m az e

,

men t . Jus t th en th e Fath er was obliged t o go t o

F lorence t o a rr ange some b usiness w i th th e Gra n d
,

Duke C osmo III He rem ained absen t for abou t

.

th ree w eeks W h en h e re t urned t o th e conven t h e

.
,

a sked V eronic a if h e r w ound ha d c o n t inued open al l

thi s t ime .Being a ss ure d that i t ha d h e rep aired ,

w i th th is inform at ion t o th e bish op a nd re que st ed ,

hi s lords h ip t o a ccomp an y h i m a ft er dinner t o wi t

ness th e fa c t w i th h is o w n e y es a s a lso t o observe ,

t h e a ccomplis h m en t of h is th ird order wh ic h wa s ,

that t h e w ound s h ould close up ag a in direc t l y h e

s ignied h is w ill t o tha t e e ct T h ey arrived abou t .

f our o clock in th e a ft ernoon a nd V eronic a ha ving

been ord e r e d t o ta ke h er pl a ce at th e w indo w wh ere

h oly C ommunion w as given th e Fath er pu t a p air of ,

s cissors in h er ha n d a nd comm a nded h er i n vir t ue of

, ,

h ol y obedience t o cu t a h ol e in h e r habi t j us t wh ere

,

th e w ound wa s S h e immedi at el y obey ed

. The .

bish op h e ld a light ed c andle a nd bo th h e and Fath er ,

C rivelli s aw th e open w ound a nd t h e warm blood ,

wh ic h issued from i t T h e l att e r being encour aged

.
,

a t th e S ight excl a imed,
It is w ell T h is m omen t .
,
,

Fo ra very s h or t

I enjoi n y ou le t th e w ound close
,
.

in t erv al sh e rem ained absorbed in pr ay er T h en .

b e ing a sked W h e th e r sh e ha d obey ed sh e an sw ere d , ,

! es. T h e bis h op a nd Fath er C riv e lli looked
throug h th e opening wh ic h h a d been cu t in h e r dress ,

a nd ex amined th e w ound w i th a light e d c a ndle I t .

was comple t el y h e al ed a nd covered w i th n at ur a l skin

,

l ike th e res t 3 th e onl y th ing wh ic h wa s left t o m ark

t h e spo t being a very slig ht discolour at ion T h ey .
 1 68 s . V ER ONI CA GIULIA N I .

w er e bo th a m az e d and left h er sc arce ab l e t o e xpres s

, ,

th eir a dmir at ion for th is w o n derful w ork of God It i s .

w or thy of observ at ion th at th e di ary of Fath er U b ald o

An t onio Cappelle tt i m akes men t ion of a simil a r d ire c
t io n wh ic h h e ha d once giv e n h e r in ob e dienc e t o
, ,

w h ic h h er w ound ha d c l osed up on th e 3 l st of Jul y ,

in th e y e ar 1 7 05 .

Veronic a s c ap a ci ty for obeying th e fourth order
w hic h th e Fath er ha d imposed on h e r s t ill rem a ined t o
b e t es t ed It ha d rel at ion t o th e immediat e subj ec t
.

of th e presen t ch ap t er vi z h e r p ar t icip at ion in a ll

,
.
,

th e sufferin gs of our Blessed S a viour O ne mornin g .

,

i n th e s ame m on th of Nov e mber our S ain t presen t ed ,

h erse l f at th e confession al a nd in formed Fath er C ri ,

vel li that sh e ha d been ins t ruc t ed b y t h e mos t h ol y

Virgin t o a ssure h im that h is fourth com m and s h ould
b e obeyed on th e eveni n g of th e 2 9th i n st being th e ,

Vigil o f S A ndre w ; that at th e th ird h our of th e

.

n ig ht sh e w o u ld begin t o experie n ce th e v a rious su ffer

i n gs of th e divin e P a ssion 3 th at h e was t o be presen t ;

that th e proper t ime for th eir con t inu ance including h er ,

p art icip at ion in th e seven Dolo u rs o f o ur L a d y w ould ,

be tw en ty four h ours 3 bu t that nev e rth eless if h e

-
, ,

s h ou l d comm a nd i t th e wh ole w ould come t o a n end

,

immedi at el y Fath er C rivelli replied t o t h is wi th a

.

doub tfu l air a nd s a id that i t rem ained t o be seen what

,

God w ould permit t o take pl a ce He w en t away t o .

i nform th e bis h op a nd h aving ob tained h is s anc t io n

, ,

re t urned t o h is coll e ge Ea rl y on th e follow i n g m orn

.

ing a m e sse n ger from th e conven t c ame t o s u mmon

him in gre at ha s t e decl aring that V eronic a was ,

dyin g Bu t h e kno w in g a s h e did before h and what

.
,

was abou t t o occur was in no h urr y what ever b u t

, ,

began discoursi n g of th e even t w i th Fath er Giulio de


1 70 s . VE R ONI C A GIULIAN I .

v iolen t w ere th e movemen t s b y wh ic h h er bod y wa s

impelled rs t one way and th en a no th er 3 h er h e a d
,

some t imes s tr iking t h e wall w i th suc h force that th e

very pl anks of th e bed w ere driv e n from th eir pl a ces ,

a n d th e wa lls o f th e cell or i n rm ar w e r e visibl y

y
s ha ken a s th oug h b y a n e ar thqu ake T h e noise wa s
, .

s o gre at that th e nuns w h o w er e abou t th e h ouse r a n

t o th e spo t in a frig ht les t th e conve n t s h ould be

,

falling do wn I wa s obliged t o ord e r th e m t o w i th

.

draw for f e a r th ey s h ould become s till more al armed

, .

Fath er de Ve c c hj h imsel f wa s so exci t e d p ar t ly ,

t h rough th e comp a ssion h e f e l t for Sis t er V eronic a ,

w h o was enduring suc h un h e ard o f t ormen t s and -

,

p a r tl y th roug h th e fe a r wh ic h h e could no t bu t feel at

a sc ene wh ic h w a s at once so t errible a nd a m az ing ,

that h e could be ar i t no longer 3 h e was oblig e d t o le ave

t h e cell a nd re tu rn t o o u r college w i th ou t s aying a
, ,

w ord I permi tt ed h er t o con tinue i n this su ff ering

.

f o r a good h our if I remember rig ht a nd th en I g ave

, ,

h e r a n obedience that th e t ormen t s h ould ce a se b y

pronouncing th e w ords Enough l e t i t s t op 3 a nd ,

,

w onder ful t o b eh old sh e wh o ha d previousl y appe ared ,

r a p t from a ll obj ec t s of sense a nd absorbed in th e ,

con t empl ation of t h e m y s t ery wh ic h sh e was p a ssing

th rough a nd devoid o f all s t r e n gth re t urned t o h ersel f
, ,

in a momen t all t r a ces of suffering w ere over an d sh e

, ,

wa s le ft in a s tat e of p e rfec t t ran quillity

It appe a rs from th e s ame a cc o u n t that th is o c .

curred b e tw een th e six t ee n th and seven t een th h ours

!Ita li a n t ime ) Fath e r C rivelli b e.
ing a nxious t o s ay .

M a ss an d r el ying on th e obedience of Veronic a

, , ,

direc t ed h e r t o ri se from h e r bed t o rep a ir t o th e

.
,

c h oir w ith ou t a ny a ssis tance and h e ar M a ss on h er ,

knee s ,
S h e execu t ed this ord e r w i th al a cri ty .
 s . V E RONI C A GIULIANI . 171
'

Wh en th e h ol y SaCri c e wa s over h e desired h er t o ,

re tur n t o h er bed a nd th en in presence of th e Abbess

, ,

Sis t er M a ri a To mm asin i a nd some o th er religious h e

, ,

pu t h er u n d e r obedience t o proceed w i th th e my s t ery

nex t in succession t o that wh ic h h e ha d a lre a d y w i t
n e s se d 3 a nd h e decl a res that h e saw on h er h e a d th e

Visible impression of th e cro w n of th orns S h e nex t .

seemed t o e n dur e t h e w eight of th e cross in c a rryin g

i t up t o Calvary Th ose presen t inferred th is from th e
.

n atu re o f th e e x t r e m e su ffering wh ic h sh e e n dur e d .

I pl ainl y sa w con t inued Fath er C rivelli
,
that th e ,

.
m ys t ery of th e crucixion succeeded in a ll i t s a gony .

It wa s a s cle a rl y d epic t ed a s anything could be s h or t ,

o f a l i t er a l cr u cixion on a m at eri a l cross A s soon a s .

I ha d given th e w ord of comm and h er fr a me bec a me ,

e x t ended a nd h er a rms exp a nded in th e form of a cross

,
.

T h e nerves of h er hands w ere draw n and h er a rms ,

s t ra ined ex a c t l y a s if n a il e d on a re al cross H e r fe e t .

also w ere a ffec t ed in a simi la r m a nner Her h e a d wa s .

bo w ed do wn a nd h er bre a s t h e av e d a s th oug h sh e w ere

, ,

p a ssing th rough h e r de ath s truggle T h e ex treme

-
.

su ffering wh ic h sh e endure d wa s evinced b y th e cold

p erspirat ion wh ic h rose on h e r bro w b y th e t e a rs wh ic h
,

rolled do w n h er c h eeks a nd b y all th e o th er ext ern al

,

s y mp t oms wh ic h att end th e l a s t a gon y o f th e d y ing .

Wh en sh e ha d rem ained in th is condi tion for a bou t ha lf

a n h our I saw that sh e w as on t h e poin t of expiring
, ,

s o ta king cour age from th e success wh ic h ha d follo w ed

m y previous i njunc t ions I comm a nded h e r b y vir t ue

,

.
O f h ol y obedience t o le t a ll h er t ormen t s c e a se I was .

o b e y ed a nd no t ra ce r e m a ined of what sh e ha d under

,

n e s a ve th e debili ty of exha us t ed n at ure

o
x
g , .

Fath er C riv e lli goes on t o s tat e that h e r e crui t ed h er

. s piri t s b y c a usi n g h er t o m a ke a c t s o f th e th eologic a l
1 72 s . V E R ONI C A GIULIAN I .

v ir tues a nd b y ge ttin g h er t o repeat th e u su al pro t es

t at i o n s ag ains t a ll th e w orks of t h e devil Aft er th is .
,

h e m a de h e r reci t e in h is pr e sence th e divine o fce for

t h e d ay w i th Sis t er F lorid a C e o l i
,
T h en c alling t o .

mind that th e Blessed Virgin ha d in t im at ed that Ve

ronic a wa s on th e s a me d ay t o experience h er Dolours ,

h e pu t h e r under obedience t o endure th em t e lling ,

h er that h e w is h ed t o obs e rve th e mo t ions of h er h e ar t

And in fa c t h e con t inues s h e experienced w ithin
, ,

h er h e ar t e a c h one of th e seven Dolours in so sensible

a m anner that I h e ard every p alpi tat ion a s d is t inc t l y
a s th e s t rokes of a clock I kne w i t t o be so b e .
,
.

c ause I observed th e spo t from wh ence i t proc e e d e d ,

and perceived th e agitat ion wh ic h i t occ a sioned i n h er

bosom .

A sh o r t t ime a ft er h e g av e h e r a n obedience t hat

th is also sh ould s t op It did s o in a m o m e n t and sh e
.
,

wa s h erself a g ain Abou t mi dnight h e c aused h er t o

.
,
.

take h e r supper in h i s presence and having blessed i t , , .

h e looked on wh ile sh e at e i t w ith ou t t h e le a s t feelin g , ,

of that n ause a wh ic h almos t al way s a e c t e d h er at

h er me als F illed w i th am az emen t at all th e w onders
.

w h ic h h e ha d w i t n e ss e d Fath er C rivelli th e n re t urned

,

t o h i s college .

T hus p a ssed S A ndre w s F e a s t O n th e nex t d ay

.

.
, .

th e good Fath er w en t t o a c qu ain t th e bis h op w i th a ll .

that ha d hap pened a nd t o re qu e s t that h is lordsh ip

,
;

w ould do h im th e fa vour t o a ccomp any h im som e d ay

t o th e conv e n t in ord e r that h e might be a spec tat o r
,

and w i t ness of th e e x e cu t ion of h is fth a nd l a s t pre

cep t vi z that sh e s h ould go th roug h th e scene of
,
.
,

crucixion i n a n upright att it ud e T h e y agreed t o .

x on a certain d ay in D ecember Wh en i t c am e .

round th e y rep aired t o th e conven t in th e a ft ernoon

,
.
1 74 s . V ER ONI C A GIULIANI .

h er unexpec t ed fall on th e obr in h er crucied s tat e ,

t o wh ic h sh e re plied that i t wa s o wing t o th e

,

t urning ov e r of th e cross 3 for that th e Je ws ha ving

n ailed th e hands and th e fee t of our L ord Jesus Chris t ,

t urned th e cross over in order that th e y might cli n c h

,

th e n ails on th e o th er sid e .

A ft er all this wh ic h I ha v e deposed above con ,

e ludes Fath er C rivelli Sis t er V eronic a wa s dismiss e d

,

b y th e bis h op 3 and w e bo th l e ft th e ch u r c h over

wh elmed w i th a m az em e n t a nd a dmir ation at th e w on

ders w e ha d seen And certainl y th ere is no th ing
.

more m arvellous t o be me t w ith in th e li fe of S M ary .

M agd al e n of Pazz i or in th ose of S Cath eri ne of

, .

R icci S Ter e s a S Cath erine of Sien a or an y o th e r

,
.
,
.
,

s ain t of th e h igh es t order .

Bu t th ere wa s one peculi ar fe at ure in Veronic a s c a s e

wh ich w e do no t nd in th e biograph ies of o th er s a in t s .

We allude t o th e numerous a nd ex tra ordin ary signs

whi c h w ere engr a ven on h er h e ar t We say numerous .
,

bec a use a fe w th ings o f th e kind w ere discovered in th e

h e ar t of th e Blessed C l are of Mon t e Fa lc o and t h e
Bl e ssed M arg are t of C itta di Ca s t ello I n V eronic a s .

th ere w ere no fe w er tha n t wen ty four viz a L atin -

, .

cross w ith a C m arked at th e t op of th e upright be a m :

in th e cen t re of th e t r ansverse be a m was a n F at th e
right hand extremi ty of th e s am e was a V and at th e
-
,

left an O Above t h e cross o n On e side wa s a cro wn

.
, ,

of th orns 3 t o th e left of th is wa s a b anner on a s taff

l ying t r ansversel y over th e cross and divided in t o t wo ,

p art s t ermin at ing in poin t s o n th e upper one wa s i m

prin t ed th e lett er I and on th e lo w er one th e italic m

, .

Ne ar th e t op of th e b anner wa s a ame a nd underne ath , ,

a hammer a p air of pincers a spe ar and a reed w i th a

, , ,

sponge at th e t op To th e right o f th e cross beginni n g

.
,
 s . VE R ONI C A GIULIANI . 1 75

f rom above wa s a represen tat ion of th e se amless ves

,

t ure of our L ord Jesus Ch ris t a no th er a me a c halice , , ,

t wo wounds a li tt le pill a r th ree n ails a scourge a nd

, , , ,

seven s w ords besides th r e e l e tt ers in di fferen t pl a ces

, ,

n amel y tw o P s a nd a V
,
.

Al l th ese signs excep t ing th e chalic e a re described

, ,

in th e process of inform ation b y Fath er R aniero G u e l ,

wh ic h con t ains a n a ccoun t of th e ex amin at ion t o wh ic h

h e wa s subjec t ed o n th e 2 6th of Sep t ember 1 7 2 7 abou t , ,

t en w e e ks aft er V eronic a s de ath O n th e Hol y S at ur .

d ay of th e s ame y e a r our S a in t ha d men t ioned t o him

,

under obedience a s h er confessor that d u ri n g Passio n ti d e ,

th e represen tat ion of t w o ames ha d been imprin t ed on

h e r h e a rt a s also a b anner m ark e d w i th th e ini t i als o f
,

th e mos t h ol y n ames of Jesus and M ary T h e fath e r .

a scer tained from h e r in th e course of convers ation

that th ere w ere als o o th er signs engr a ven on h er h e a r t .

So h e wisely conceived that i t w ould be w ell t o ge t

fro m h erself a n au th en t ic documen t th e a ccur a c y of ,

wh ic h h e w ould be able t o t es t a ft er h e r de ath and ,

h e comm anded h er t o d r aw a pic t ure of h er h e ar t ,

jus t a s sh e ha d described i t t o h im V eronic a obey ed .

,

bu t a s sh e did no t kno w h o w t o dra w sh e go t ,

Sis t ers F lorid a C e o l i an d M ary Magd alen B o scai n i t o

a ssis t h e r Ho w ever sh e did n o t t ell th em t hat sh e
.
,

ha d any serious obj ec t in so doi n g bu t t re at ed t h e ,

m att er a s th ough i t w ere a m er e j oke or fanc y S h e .

designed i t on a piece of red p aper ou t ou t in th e

shap e of a h e ar t 3 atta ch ing t o i t th e gures in ques
t ion wh ic h w ere cu t ou t of wh i t e p ape r w ith th e
, ,

excep t ion of th e tw o ames a nd th e upper division

o f th e b anner t h ese sh e m a de of a deeper coloured
3
red sh e th en t r a ced th e nine le tt ers w i th a pen and
ink an d dre w lines wh ic h connec t ed all th e in stru
,
1 76 s . V ER ONI C A GIULIANI .

men t s t oge th er S h e ha d compl et e d h er w ork b y th e

.

F e a s t of Pen t ecos t a nd pl a ced i t in th e hands of

,

Fath er G u e l th ree d ay s pre viousl y t o h er being seiz ed

,

b y th e apoplec tic s t roke of wh ich w e shall spe ak i n

t h e nex t c hap t er During h er illness h e consigned i t
.

t o th e k eeping of th e bis h op ha ving m arked i t wi th ,

h i s o wn se a l an d sign at ure wh ic h h e recogniz ed in h is ,

ex amin ation during th e inform at ive a s w e l l a s th e

a pos t olic process .

T h e s ame Fath er moreover a dds and h is evidence

, , ,

i s conrmed b y that of v arious compe t en t w i t nesses ,

t hat th e m y s t erious ins t rumen t s of wh ic h w e ha ve

s poken w e r e in th e occ a sion a l ha bi t of moving a nd

e mi tt ing sounds more or l e ss a udible a cc o r di n g a s our

, ,

S ain t exercis e d th e corresp onding vir tues or wa s ,

o rdered under obe d ience T h ese fa c t s w ere more .

th orough l y a u th en t ic at ed a ft er h er d e ath A form al .

e x amin at ion wa s ins t i t u t ed a ccording t o direc t ions

received from th e Bish op C o d e b o b y th e medic al ,

p ro f essors G i o van
,
F r a ncesco Gen t ili surgeon a nd , ,

Gi an Fr ancesco B o rd iga p hy sici an in th e pres e nce , ,

of Monsignor Torrigi ani th en Governor a ft erwards , ,

Ca rdin a l of h ol y Church a s a lso o f th e Chancellor ,

Fabbri th e Priors Don Fr ancesco M ari a Pesucci and

,

D on Gi a como G e l l in i Don Giov anni Falconi Don , ,

C e s a re Gi annini Fath er G u e l t h e a r t is t Lu c A n t o n i o

, , ,

Angelucci a nd sever a l nuns

,
T h ey discov e r e d in th e .
,

right hand division of h er h e ar t a w ell d e n e d cross

-
,
-
,

a t th e u p per e n d of wh ic h wa s th e le tt er C Besides .

t h is th e y f ound a li tt le cro w n of th orns t w o ames

, , ,

seven m a rks mee t ing at th e poin t s i n t h e s hape

,

o f a fa n t o indic at e th e seven s w o r ds 3 th e le tt ers V

,

an d P a la nce a nd reed crossi n g e a c h o th er a b a nner

, ,

a tta c h ed t o a spe ar divided in t o tw o p ar t s on wh ic h

, ,
 1 78 s . VER ON I CA GIULIAN I .

C HAPTER X .

TH E E XTRA O RD I NAR ! G R A C E S AN D FAVOU R S WH I CH

A CC O MPAN I ED H ER LAS T I LL N ES S AND H O L!
D EAT H .

TH E cro wning w i th th orns th e imprint ing of th e ,

s t igm ata and th e p ainful impressions m a de on th e

,

h e ar t of our S ain t we r e severa l t imes rene w ed during

'

th e l a s t th irty y e ars of h er life a s w e have al r e a d y ,

men t ioned T h e fre quen t one might almos t say th e

.
,

p e rpe t u al excesses of h er love of God besides th e

, ,

overwh elming sufferings wh ic h i t ple a sed our L ord t o

b e s t o w o n h er t og e th e r w i th th e severe pen ances wh ic h
,

sh e volun ta ril y imposed up o n h ers e l f ha d th e inevi ,

t able e ffec t of undermining h er h e al th a nd even t u all y ,

c a using h e r de ath Her comp anions rel at e in v arious

.

p ar t s of th e process th e fre quen t and severe m al adies

t o wh ic h S h e wa s subjec t from t ime t o t ime a nd for ,

wh ich gener all y sp e aking no remed y could be dis

, ,

covered b y h e r m e dic al att end a n t s bu t of wh ic h ,

s h e was inv ari abl y cured in some une xpec t ed and

mir a culous way 3 so that i t wa s commonl y s aid in
th e conven t that V eronic a onl y liv e d b y mira cle .

Fath er U b aldo An t onio Ca ppelle tt i w as th e only per

so n wh o t ook do w n in h is di a r y a n a ccoun t of th e s e

i l l n e ss e s and recoveries He did s o for h is o w n i n

.

s truc t ion from th e ye ar 1 7 02 un t il 1 7 07 His n arra

,
.

t iv e w as insert ed in th e proc e ss 3 i t m akes m en t ion of

no fe w e r tha n th ir t een o f t h ese occ a sions on wh ic h
sh e w as r e duc e d t o ex t r e mi ty a nd h e ha d t o a ssis t he r
,

in h is cap a ci ty of confessor t o th e es tabli s h men t .

W hile th ese dise a s e s l a s t e d V e ronic a w ould att er

,

h erself that no w at l ength sh e wa s abou t t o b e

 s . VE R ONI CA GIULIANI . 179

d elivered from th e burden o f mor tality in order that ,

s h e mig ht ta ke h er ig ht a nd be uni t ed t o h er I m m o r

ta l G o o d S h e fr e que n t l y received in h er h e ar t loving

.

i nvi tat ions fro m h e r divine L ord a nd see m ed t o be on ,

t h e poin t o f possessing Him 3 bu t ag a in wh en s h e le a s t ,

expec t ed i t th e prospec t w ould recede from h e r V ie w

,
.

At l a s t th e t ime c ame wh en she wa s a ssu red that th e

boon wa s gr an t ed a nd h er a n t icip at ion wa s bo th c l ea r
,

a n d unmis tak able A s e arl y a s th e y e ar 1 6 9 4 sh e ha d

.

been informed from above a s sh e hi n t e d t o h er con,

f e s so r that sh e ha d s t ill t h ir ty th ree y e a rs t o live

,
-
.

T h e even t p r ov e d that this number signied th e y e ars

w h ic h w e r e t o el apse un t il h er de ath Perhaps i t .

w as a lso a n in tim at io n of th e th ir ty th ree d ay s wh ic h -

w ere t o be th e durat ion of h er l a s t illness S h e was .

s at ised of th is h ersel f a nd predic t ed that i t w ould be

,

so . S h e a lso decl ared that sh e w ould ha ve t o endure

ath reefold purg at ory from cre at ures fro m obedience , ,

and from th e devil a nd S o i t c ame t o p a ss I n gth e

,
. .

,y e ar before h e r d eath sh e appoin t ed b y h er a u th ori ty ,

a s abbess Sis t er M a ry M agd alen Bo sc ain i t o be s a cri

,

s ta n of th e inner c hape l of th e mos t h ol y ros a r y .

Wh en V eronic a commi tt ed th is charg e int o h er han ds ,

sh e s a id t o h er e xpressl y T h is is th e l a s t t ime that

,

I shall dispense th ese o fces U p on whi c h Sis t er
.

Agnes in quired Ar e y ou going t o die so soon th en
, , ,

mo th er abbess ! S h e g ave a n a pproving smile and ,

i t t urned ou t a s sh e ha d s aid At sever a l of th e .

chap t ers whic h t ook pl a ce during th e l a s t y e a r of h er

i fe wh e n Sis t er G abriell a Bro zz i wa s kneeli ng before
l ,

h e r t o confess h er fa ul t s a ccording t o cus t om i t wa s ,

observed that th e s aintl y abbess a ddressed t o h er

a lone th e follo w ing w ords in a ddi t ion t o o th er go o d

c ounsel Sis t er G abrie ll a l e t us prep are ourse lves 3

,

12 -
2
1 80
'

s . VER ON I CA G IUL I AN I .

we ha ve n o t muc h lo n ge r t o liv e I n fa c t the fol .

lo wi n g July a s we shall pr e s e n t l y se e Ve ron ic a di e d

, , ,

an d Sis t e r G abri e ll a foll o w e d h e r tw o or th r e e mo n th s

l at e r Bu t Ve r o n ic a spok e s t ill more pl ain l y t o the

.

abov e n a m e d sis t e r
-
M ary M agd al e n B o sc ain i o n th e
, ,

e v e of h e r fata l illn e ss T hat r e ligi ous h avi n g com e

.
,

t o h e r b y ord e r o f h e r con fe ssor t o m e n t io n som e

sp iri t ual t ria l wh ic h afic t e d h e r r e m a rk e d that sh e ,

w ould aw
a i t h e r abb e ss l e isu r e ; bu t Ve ron ic a v e ry
soon aft e r c am e t o h e r c e ll an d s aid W e ha d b e tt e r ,

p e rform th e ob e di e n c e th is e v e n in g fo r wh o kno w s ,

wheth e r w e s hall e v e r hav e an oth e r opp o rt u n i ty !
Th e follo wi n g m or n i n g b e in g t h e 6th o f Ju n e 1 7 2 7 , ,

w i th in th e oc ta v e o f P e n t e cos t an d a C ommun i o n d ay ,

t h e h ol y abb e ss wh o w e ll k n e w what wa s abou t t o

,

happ e n m an ife s t e d u n usu al an xi e ty tha t th e s a cr e d

,

fu n c t i o n s h o uld p ro c e e d w i th t h e l e a s t p o ssibl e d e l ay .

S h e ha d l e ft th e co n fe ssio n al h e r cou n t e n an c e gl o wi n g
,

e v e n w i th m o r e tha n i t s w o n t e d s a n c t i ty an d p e r ,

c e i vi n g t h e s a cris tan Sis t e r M ary Jo an n a M aggi o

, ,

w h o d e pos e d t o t h e fa c t in the proc e ss sh e b a d e h e r

'

m ak e ha s t e w i th t h e tap e r wh ic h sh e w as i n t h e habit
of usin g t o light t h e four c andl e s whic h burn e d w ith i n
t h e commu n io n w i n d o w It wa s e l e v e n o cl o ck
.
,

Itali an t im e 3 an d Ve ro n ic a no soon e r r e c e iv e d t h e
h ol y E ucharis t than sh e wa s s t ru ck w i th apopl e x y ,

w hi c h r e n d e r e d h e r l e ft sid e u tt e r l y p o w e rl e ss bu t ,

n e i th e r d e p r iv e d h e r o f c o n sci o us n e ss n o r o f sp e e c h .

Th e n u n s ran p r o mp tl y t o a ssis t h e r an d pl a c e d h e r o n ,

a s t o o l m a d e o f wa l n u t w o o d wh ic h i s s t ill pr e s e rv e d

-
.
,

S h e r ais e d h e r e y e s t o h e a v e n i n r ap t u r e an d t h e ,

s acristan t e ll s us that h e r cou n t e n anc e wa s j oyful a s

sh e s a id t o th o s e a rou n d I go I go thu s informi n g
, , ,

the m that th e s t rok e w ould b e a fa tal o n e .

1 82 s . V E R ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

to r e tain an y d e scrip t i o n e i th e r o f fo o d o r m e dici n e

s o that thr o ug h o u t th is t e rr ibl e ill n e ss s h e could o n l y

s wallo w a fe w dr o ps an d that w ith t h e u tm o s t d if

,

cul ty On t h e th i r d d ay t h e p hy sici an ha d h e r c o n
.

v e y e d w i th c a r e i n t o t h e th i r d c e ll o f t h e i n rm ary ,

wh e r e sh e lin ge r e d for th ir ty d ay s m o r e an d th e n e x ,
:

p i re d . It m ay b e co n c e iv e d that e v e ryth i n g wa s d one

whi c h h um an c are o r skill c o uld sugg e s t t o s av e s o

p r e ci o us a life Th e nu n s t h e bis h o p an d t h e wh o l e
.
, ,

ci ty did all th e y c o uld p art icul arl y t h e m e dic al m e n

, , ,

so h ig h was t h e e s t im at io n in wh ic h th e y h e ld h e r .

T h e l att e r t ri e d bl e e di n g appli e d h ot i r o n s t o t h e
,

n ap e of h e r n e ck an d a dmin is t e r e d th e ir m o s t c os tly
,

drugs All th is c o n s t it u t e d th e r s t d e sc rip t ion o f

'

purg at ory wh ich sh e ha d t o e n c o u n t e r vi z that wh ic h ,

.
,

wa s t o com e fr o m t h e h an ds of h e r fe ll o w c r e at ur e s -
. .

Th e r e m e di e s wh ic h w e r e r e s o r t e d t o s e rv e d o n l y t o
i n cr e a s e h e r su ff e rin gs Th e s am e m ay b e s aid of
.

th e att e n t i o n s wh ic h w e r e p aid h e r b y t h e r e ligi o us .

Al th o ugh sh e n e v e r c o mpl ai n e d i t wa s cl e ar fro m h e r ,

c o n vulsiv e mov e m e n t s that e v e ry pos tur e w as p ai n ful

t o h e r T h e y sought t o r e li e v e h e r b y chan gi n g h e r
.

p o sit ion bu t alth o ugh th e y did th is w i th t h e u t m o s t

,
.

c a u tio n i t on l y m a d e h e r w o rs e O n c e sh e d e cl ar e d
, .

that h e r su ffe rin gs we r e lik e th o s e of h e ll Sh e p ar .

t i cu l arl y fe l t th e abs e n c e o f h e r fo r m e r spi ri t u a l d ire c ~

t or th e S e rvite Fath e r T a ssin ari It w a s t h e Will

, .

o f God that du r i n g t h e wh o l e t im e o f h e r ill n e ss

h e t oo s h o uld b e i n c ap a ci tat e d b y sick n e ss It wa s .

t h e o n l y th i n g f or wh ic h Ve r o n ic a s h o w e d an y r e gr e t ,

bu t sh e r e sign e d h e rs e lf t o t h e p r o vid e n c e o f G o d .

Th e s e co that o f b i igg gt ri e d h e r
-

s t ill mor e Sh e a rd e n t ly d e sir e d t o u n i t e h l f t o

he r B e l ov e d wi th ou t d e l ay, b u t sh e w ould no t do s o .
 s . VE R ON I CA G IULI AN I . 1 83

w i th ou t th e p e rm i s si o n co n fe ssor 3 sh e th e re fo re
of h er
'

r e p e at e dly a sk e d h im t o giv e h e r l e av e t o d i e H e .

a l way s r e fu s e d u n t il t h e v e ry l a s t a s we s h al l h e r e ,

a ft e r se e Sh e w as so muc h afic t e d at th e s e d e n i al s
.

t hat o n o n e o cc a si o n sh e t u rn e d t o th e b y s tan d e rs an d

e xcl a im e d ,
H o w s t r a n g e t o fe e l o n e s e lf d y i n g an d ye t ,

t o b e u n abl e t o d i e H e r m a l a di e s ha d w e a k e n e d
h e r t o suc h a d e g r e e that a l th o ugh sh e did n o t
h e sita te t o tak e what e v e r w as o ff e r e d h e r sh e wa s ,

u n abl e t o s wa ll o w e ith e r fo o d or m e dici n e T h is cos t .

h e r s e v e r a l r e pr o o fs b o th fr o m t h e n u n s an d h e r c o n
,

fe sso r o n t h e sc o r e of dis o b e di e n c e 3 wh ic h w a s
,

p e culi arly m o r tifyi n g t o h e r sin c e th e r e was n o vi rt u e

,

o f wh ic h sh e ha d s h o wn h e rs e lf mo r e j e a l o us bo th i n ,

th e ory an d pr a c t ic e th rough o u t t h e c o urs e o f h e r life

, ,

than that o f h o l y o be die n c e Fath e r Vi n c e n t S e gap e l i

.
,

an Orat o ri a n wa s i n vi t e d b y Fath e r G u e l t o a ssis t

,

h i m i n th e c a r e o f V e ro n ic a On e n ight whe n t h e .
,

b e ll r an g for m ati n s h e t u r n e d t o o ur S a in t r e duc e d

, ,

a s sh e wa s an d d e priv e d o f t h e u se o f o n e s id e
, an d ,

s a id t o h e r Sis t e r V e r o n ic a do yo u n o t h e ar th e b e ll
, ,

ri n gin g for m ati n s ! w ill y ou no t go l T h is wa s
e n o ugh t o c au se h e r t o m a k e a s tr e n uous e ffor t t o
.

ris e 3 bu t t h e fath e r was s tr uck w i th a dmirat ion a t

h e r h e roic ob e di e n c e an d c o mm an d e d h e r n o t t o s t ir
,
.

A s till gr e at e r pr o o f of h umili ty an d o b e di e n c e c am e
u n d e r h is obs e rvati o n P e rc e ivin g that h e r ha n ds w e r e
.

c o ve r e d w i th c e rta in li ttl e b an d ag e s wh ic h h e r sup e riors ,

ha d p e rmitt e d h e r t o w e a r fo r th e purp o s e of h idin g

t h e s tigm ata h e i n quir e d co n t e mp t u o usl y
,

What i s ,

t h e m e an i n g o f th e s e b a n da g e s ! Th is is s h e e r hy p o

crisy . I n a mom e n t sh e pr e s e n t e d h im h e r righ t
han d fo r sh e c o uld n o t m o ve t h e o th e r a n d c h e e rfull y
, ,

r e pli e d : I a m r e a dy t o do a s y ou p l e a s e 3 ob e di e nc e
1 84 s . VE R ON I CA GIULIAN I .

g av e m e th e m an d ob e di e n c e s hall tak e th e m away
,
.

Bu t i t cos t h e r humili ty a s e v e r e p an g t o b e o blig e d t o

displ ay th os e m arks o f h o n ou r T his wa s all d epo s e d.

i n th e pr o c e ss b y Sis t e r M ary J o an n a Maggio wh o wa s ,

h ighly e d i e d as wa s e ve ry o n e e ls e wh o happ e n e d t o
,

be i n th e c ell .

Th e th ir d kind of u r t o com e from t h e

d e mo n s S e v er al t im e s they att e mp t e d t o t e rrify h e r
.
,

b y app e ari n g und e r th e fo r m o f b r u tal n e gro e s ; or

th e y w ould assum e th e s hap e s o f a ss e s an d b ray in h e r ,

e ar,
i n ord e r t o i n cre a s e t h e p ain i n h e r h e a d 3 o r o n e
o f th e m w ould tak e t h e a pp e ara n c e o f h e r p hy sici an ,

an d pr e dic t t h e mos t r e vol t i n g ki n d o f dis e a s e s for ,

t h e purp o s e o f subdui n g h e r i n domi tabl e p at ie n c e .

B ut t h e w o rs t of all w as th e ir tra n sform at i o n on o n e

o f h e r l a s t d ay s Sh e wa s qui t e a l o n e an d b e h e ld
.
,

t h e bis h o p e n t e r i n g h e r c e ll 3 h e d e cl ar e d t o h e r i n a
thre at e n i n g m an n e r that sh e wa s at l a s t discov e r e d an d ,

that h e r wh o l e life ha d b e e n o n e t issu e o f m alici o u s

hypocrisy an d diab o lic a l illusio n s 3 h e a dd e d that i n
,

t h e a ft e r n o o n h e w ould r e t u r n w i th t h e o fc e rs o f
h i s cou rt i n o r d e r tha t i n th e ir pr e s e n c e an d i n
, ,

that of all th e nu n s sh e might a ck n o wl e dg e an d

,

abj ur e h e r t r e a c h e r y T h is w as tak e n d o w n fro m

.

h e r o wn lips b y Sis t e r M ary M agd al e n B o scai n i Si s ,

t e r M ary C e l e s t i n e T o si an d Sis t e r M a ry C e l e s t i n e
,

M e az z o l i w h o d e pos e d a cc o r d i n gl y i n t h e proc e ss
,
.

T h e y ha d b e e n li n g e r in g ab o u t t h e i n rm ary fo r s o m e
r e a s o n wh e n th e i r h o ly abb e ss c all e d t o th e m an d s aid
, ,

My d au ght e r s r e c o mm e n d m e fr o m y ou r h e art s t o
,

G o d p ray fo r m e
, T h e y a sk e d h e r what ha d happ e n e d
. .

Sh e r e pli e d Th e bis h o p ha s b e e n t o m e an d ha s
, ,

t o ld m e that h e kn o w s m y wh o l e life t o hav e b e e n

sp e n t i n hyp oc ri sy an d i n d e c e ivi n g e i th e r m y s e lf o r
,
1 86 s . VE R ON I CA G I U LIAN I .

to m e n tion t o h e r c o n fe ssor O u t o f comp a ssio n fo r h er

.

th e y sugge s t e d o n e o r t wo th i n gs jus t a s o n e w ould ,

d o t o a c h ild wh e n p r e p a ri n g i t for i t s rs t co n fe ssi o n .

God r e wa rd y ou r e pli e d Ve ron ic a
, I w ill a ccus e ,

m y s e lf a s yo u a dvis e .

T h e s e th r e e kin ds o f purg at ory b e sid e s th e o th e r ,

su ff e rin gs wh ic h w e hav e d e sc r ib e d con s t i t u t e d th e rs t

,

cl a s s o f sp e ci al gr a c e s co n fe rr e d b y G o d o n His s e rv an t .

W e c a ll th e m gr a c e s al th o ug h t o a sup e rci al o bs e rv e r
,

th e y m ay n o t app e ar such Bu t l e t th e r e a d e r b e ar i n
.

mi n d that th e p o rt i o n wh ic h our L o rd J e sus Chris t

c h os e for Hims e lf on e ar th wa s an u n in t e rrup t e d cours e
,

of suffe ri ngs from th e rs t t o th e l a s t mom e n t of His

life T h e r e wa s n o fav o ur wh ic h Ve r o n ic a m o re
.

d e sir e d o r m o r e a rd e n tl y impl o r e d o f h e r C ru ci e d
,

Spous e o n t h e d ay of h e r s o l e m n nup t i als than ,

su eri ng p ure sea

, f ar i n
g Ho . w e v e r th is wa s no t t,
h e

o n l y boon pr e cious th ough i t might b e whic h God

, ,

i n His b o un ty b e s t o w e d upo n h e r durin g h e r l a s t

ill n e ss Sh e d e riv e d th e h igh e s t gr at ic at ion from t h e
.

r e p e at e d Visit s o f t h e bis h op Sh e al ways r e qu e s t e d

.

h im t o l e t h e r h o ld h is p e c t or a l cross i n h e r han ds ,

c ar e ssin g and kissi n g i t w i th t h e u t m o s t affe c t io n 3 an d ,

wh e n sh e h ad b e e n bl e ss e d w i th i t sh e w ould s ay that ,
.

sh e fe l t q ui t e comfo rt e d Bu t far gr e at e r wa s th e c o n
.

sol at ion sh e d e riv e d fr o m h ol y C o mmu n ion wh ich sh e ,

wa s p e r mi tt e d t o r e c e iv e e ve ry d ay a ccordin g t o th e ,

pr o mis e wh ic h ha d b e e n m a d e h e r On th e s e o cc a .

si o n s h e r wh o l e h e art b e a m e d an d gl o w e d w i th l o v e .

Th e m e r e sight o f a c r ucix wh ic h sh e wa s i n t h e ,

habi t of c alli n g th e d o or k e e p e r o f th e h e a rt an d whi c h

-
, .

sh e a l way s k e p t n e a r h e r ha d po w e r t o r e li e v e h e r i n
,

th e mids t of t h e mos t e xcruci at in g p ai n Sh e g a v e a .

proof of th is o n e d ay b y c allin g som e o f th e y ou n g e r

 s . VE R O N I CA G IULI AN I . 187

sis t e r s t o h e r an d s ayi n g C om e h e r e 3 lov e l e t s i t s e lf

, ,

b e fo u n d h e r e It is t h e c aus e of m y su ff e ri n g T e ll
. .

e v e ry o n e s o .T h e n sh e a sk e d th e m t o sin g a hym n
o n t h e In c a r n at i o n o f t h e Divin e W o rd wh ic h t o uc h e d ,

h e r s o muc h that sh e w e p t fr e e l y B e in g a sk e d t h e .

r e a son of h e r t e a rs sh e r e pli e d w i th all t h e e n e rgy o f

,

love ,

W h o w ould n o t w e e p at t h e th o u ght of s u c h ,

lov e 2 Sh e wa s c o ns tan tl y m aki n g fe rv e n t a c t s of the
th e o logic a l Vi rt u e s o f r e sign at i o n t o th e divi n e Will
, ,

an d of p r o fo u n d h umili ty wh ic h are t h e tr u e r e fr e s h
,

m e n t o f t h e soul H e r ph ysi c ian wh o visi t e d h e r s e v e r a l

.
,

t im e s a d ay wa s e x tr e m e l y e d i e d a s h e e xpr e ss e d in
, ,

th e pro c e ss .H e wa s p art icul ar l y s t ruck b y an an s w e r

sh e o nc e g a v e h i m wh e n s e e i n g h e r m o r e tha n usu all y
, ,

t ri e d h e e n c o u rag e d h e r t o m ak e an a c t of c o n fo rmity
,

w i th t h e suffe r i n gs of J e sus T o th is sh e r e pli e d w i th .

t h e gr e at e s t h umili ty I n o rd e r t o ob tai n m e ri t b y
,

su ff e ri n g i t mus t b e a cc o mp an i e d b y Vi rt ue s o f wh ic h
, ,

I am u tt e r ly d e s t it u t e S till I a m q uit e w illi n g t o

.
,

b e ar i t a ll ; I w o uld fai n su ffe r e v e n m o r e if suc h ,

w e r e th e Will o f m y L ord .

T h us p a ss e d th i rty d ay s o f h e r ill n e ss duri n g wh ic h ,

h e r d an g e r ha d b e e n s e v e r a l t im e s so gr e at that sh e
ha d th ric e r e c e iv e d t h e h o l y Vi at icum an d ha d b e e n ,

fo r ti e d o n o n e o cc a si o n b y t h e S a c ra m e n t o f E x tr e m e
U n c t i o n at h e r o wn e arn e s t r e qu e s t Du rin g t h e l a s t
,
.

th r e e d ay s o f h e r life sh e app e ar e d t o liv e i n a lm o s t

,

p e rp e t u a l e cs ta s y 3 h e r e y e s b e in g for t h e m o s t p ar t
cl o s e d an d im m o v abl e Sh e did no t say a s much b u t
.
,
.

i t wa s t h e g e n e ra l impr e ssio n that durin g h e r e cs ta s y

sh e fr e qu e n t l y b e h e ld J e sus h e r divi n e Sp o us e M a r y, , ,

h e r po w e rful A dv o c at e an d th os e s a i n t s t o wh o m sh e
,

ha d a p ar t icul ar d e v o t io n e sp e ci all y S Fran cis an d S

, . .

C l ar e At l a s t i t b e c a m e e vid e n t that h e r d e p ar t ur e
.
 1 88 s . VE R ON I CA G IULIAN I .

wa s at han d an d fo r th e fo ur th t im e sh e r e c e iv e d th e
,

h ol y Vi at icum B e fo r e i t w a s a dmi n is t e re d alth ough

.
,

h e r v o ic e wa s s o fe e bl e that sh e fe a r e d i t w ould b e
imp o ssi bl e t o m ak e h e r s e lf h e a rd sh e r e qu e s t e d h e r
,

fath e r co n fe ss o r t o a sk i n h e r n a m e t h e fo rgive n e ss
O f t h e r e ligi o us wh o surr o u n d e d h e r fo r t h e b a d
,

e x am pl e sh e ha d giv e n th e m a s w e ll a s for a ll t h e
,

f aul t s sh e ha d c o mmi tt e d du r i n g t h e t e r m o f h e r
sup e ri o rs hip Sis t e r Chris t in a El e o sari was n o t pre
.

s e n t fo r s h e w a s c o n n e d t o h e r b e d b y ill n e ss
, 3 so
Ve ro n ic a a sk e d that a m e ss ag e m ight b e c o n v e ye d t o
'

h er . Aft e r o u r S a i n t h ad o c c u pi e d h e rs e lf f o r a co n
s i d e rab l e t im e i n h o l y a ffe c t i o n s t o J e sus i n t h e bl e ss e d

S a c ram e n t s h e t o o k g r e at p a in s t o impr e ss upon h e r

,

s pi r i t u a l d aug ht e rs t h e imp o r ta n c e o f e x a c t fullm e n t

b o th o f t h e l aw s o f God an d of t h e Ch urch a s also of ,

t h e rul e s an d c o n s ti t u t i o n s o f t h e co n v e n t an d of th e ,

m ai n ten a n c e o f p e a c e an d m u t u a l c hari ty amo n g th e m

s e lv e s . S h e g a v e th e m all h e r crucix t o kiss an d ,

s aid ,
N e v e r los e sig ht of t h e i n n i t e l o v e wh ic h H e

ha s sh o wn us .

On t h e m o rn i n g o f th e 8 th of Jul y wh ic h was h e r ,

l a s t d ay on e a r th sh e r e c e iv e d h e r fo u rth Visi t from

,

t h e bis h op an d ob tai n e d l e a v e fr o m h i s lordsh ip t o

,

hav e t h e S a cra m e n t o f E x t r e m e U n c t io n r e p e at e d .

S h e a ccomp an i e d i t w i th i n t e n s e a c t s of fa i th h o p e , ,

a n d t h e m os t p e rfe c t c ha ri ty Sh e th e n a sk e d for
.

h is p a s t o ra l b l e ssm g an d fo r t h e p ap a l b e n e dic t io n
,

a r tic ul o m orti s b o th of whic h h e b e s t o we d on

,

h e r amid t h e t e ar s of t h e by s tan d e rs H e r con .

f e s so r th e n p r oc e e d e d t o giv e h e r t h e bl e ssi n g of
-

t h e ord e r that o f t h e mos t h o l y ros a ry an d of t h e

, ,

s e v e n Dol o urs Sh e th e n r e m a i n e d p e rfe c t ly t r a n qu il

.
,

h e r right han d n e v e r r e l a xin g i t s h old o n th e im ag e

 1 90 s . V E R ON I CA G IULI AN I .

ft e r wh ic h sh e bo w e d her h e a d lik e he r cruci e d

a

Sp o us e g a ve h e r l a s t sigh an d h e r bl e ss e d s o ul w in ge d
, ,

i t s ight t o th e bos o m o f h e r B e lov e d T his t o o k .

pl a c e ab o u t s e v e n o cl o ck i n t h e m o r n in g o n F rid ay

al way s t o h e r a d ay r e pl e t e w i th h e a v e n l y fa v o urs t h e ,

9 th of J u l y 1 7 2 7 S h e wa s in t h e six ty s e v e n th y e a r

-
.
,

o f h e r age an d ha d sp e n t fty y e a rs i n r e ligio n an d

, ,

e l e v e n i n t h e o fc e of a bb e ss .

W e s hall n o t att e mp t t o d e scrib e h e re th e commo t io n

w h ic h e n su e d n o t o n l y i n t h e co n v e n t b u t in th e ci ty
, ,

at l arg e ; n o r t h e h o n ours of h e r fu n e ral for w e s ha ll

.

r e s e rv e suc h d e ta il s fo r t h e fo ll o wi n g book W e mus t .

n o t h o w e v e r o mi t s o m e d e scrip t i o n of h e r p e rson as
, , ,

i t w ill b e a cc e p tabl e t o th o s e d e vo u t t o h e r H er .

e x t e r n a l a pp e a r a n c e g a v e i n dic at i o n s o f t h e h e a v e n l y

g if t s wh ic h e n ric h e d h e r s o ul V e ro n ic a wa s of middl e
.

h e ight an d fair c o mpl e xi o n 3 h e r fa c e o val an d b e an

t iful th o ug h sh e ha d a slig ht m ark t o t h e right of h e r
,

u n d e r lip 3 h e r e y e s w e r e b r ight an d th e ir e xpr e ssion ,

h abit u ally c h e e r ful Al th ough s h e p ra c tis e d suc h

.

s e v e r e m o r ti c at i o n s a s th os e w e are a b o u t t o d e scrib e

i n th e n e x t bo o k sh e wa s n o t e m a ci at e d a gr a c e wh ic h
, ,

sh e p e r haps O b ta i n e d from our L ord i n o rd e r that ,

h e r fa s t s an d p e n an c e s might b e c o n c e al e d H er .

m an n e r s w e r e c o urt e o us an d o bligin g an d qu ali e d w i th ,

gr e at m o d e s ty an d r e ligio us r e s e rv e 3 s o that we m ay
appl y t o h e r t h e e ul o g ium wh ich S En n o d iu s give s in .

h is life o f S Epiph an iu s Bis h o p o f Ticin o

.
,

Mod e s ty ,

wh ic h is t h e m o th e r o f g o o d w o rks s h o n e co n spicuous ,

i n h im .Th e g ra c e of h is p e r s o n wa s an i n d e x t o his
s o ul . Th e s w e e t n e ss o f h is b e ami n g smil e ha rmo n iz e d
w ith t h e m e l o dy o f h is discours e T h e c a lm spl e n do ur .

o f h is e ye r e e c t e d th e p e a c e o f h is s o ul His m arbl e .

bro w might hav e borro w e d i t s wh i t e n e ss from the v e ry

 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL IAN I . 1 91

s ourc e of light . His cou n t e n a n c e wa s a b e au tiful

mirr o r of h is life . I n lik e m an n e r the r e b l oom e d
,

in Ve ro ni c a a s th e spri n g in th e e lds that mod e s ty

, ,

wh ic h is th e mo th e r of good w orks H e r ou twa rd .

l ov elin e ss wa s an im ag e of h e r in ward bea u ty H e r .

r a di an t smil e s a dd e d charms t o h e r w ords 3 whil e th e

lus t re of h e r e ye i n dic at e d th e s er en i ty of h e r spirit .

H e r for e hea d wa s fai r a s i vory an d he r app ea r a nc e

,

wa s alt og ethe r a n e mb l e m of he r l ife .

 C HAPTER I .

J ES US C H RI ST H IM S EL F BE C OM ES H ER VI SIBL E I N .

STRU C TO R I N C H RI S T I AN AN D P E R FE C T LI FE H ER .

C ON STAN T D ESI RE OF GREAT E R PE RFE C TI ON .

W E h av e alr ea d y wi t n e ss e d suc h n um e rous ins tanc e s

of t h e h e roic virt u e of Ve ronic a that t o som e p e rs o n s
,

i t m ay app e ar sup e ruous t o d e vo t e a s e p a r ate

t re ati se t o the s a m e subj e c t
r . Bu t so m an y of h e r
a c t io n s are ill us tri ous on a cc o un t of th e ir e xc e e din g
s an c t ity that we s h o uld fail in o n e of the princip a l
,

du t ie s of a biograp h e r if w e we r e t o om it t o re c o m
,

m e n d th e m t o t h e imitat io n of o ur r e a d e rs W e are .

oblig e d a s i t is t o m ak e a s e l e c t io n for if w e we r e

, , ,

t o m e n t io n all w e s h ould s w e ll th is volum e t o an u n

,

re a so n abl e siz e W e shall th e r e for e co n n e o urs e l v e s

.
, ,

t o th e mos t r e m ark abl e fa c t s .

Bu t b e for e e n t e rin g o n this n arr at iv e i t is we ll t o

,

r em e mb e r t h e sourc e from wh e nc e sh e d e riv e d suc h

sup e rn at ural gr a c e J e sus Chris t W h o is In c arn at e
.
,

Wisdom wa s pl e a s e d t o co n s t i tu t e Hims e lf h e r M a s t e r
,

an d Guid e 3 an d th us fr o m h e r e a rli e s t y e a rs sh e ha d

b e en in s t ruct e d i n th is h e av e n l y sci e n c e b y Him Wh o i s

at o n c e the Au th or an d Mod e l of al l that is mos t h ol y .

Ve ron i c a was n o t m o r e than th r e e y e ar s old wh e n sh e

wa s p e rmitt e d t o b e h o ld our L ord a s w e ha ve alr e a d y
,

s e e n i n t h e s e co n d c hap t e r of t h e r s t book Sh e .

w as the n taught that sh e mus t b e l o n g e n t ir e l y t o

13
2
1 96 s . V ER ON I CA G IUL I AN I .

J e sus that h e r h e a r t mus t b e c han g e d that sh e mus t

, ,

pr a c t is e c e rtain r ul e s of life an d a im at r e t ir e m e n t
, ,

m o rti c ati o n o f t h e s e n s e s sil e n c e ob e di e n c e an d

, , ,

t h e a v o id an c e of al l curiosi ty T h e n a g ai n i n h e r
.

sixth ye ar sh e saw th e Divi n e In fan t an d was ,

r e pro a ch e d b y Him b e c a us e sh e ha d som e t im e s

div e r t e d h e rs e lf wi th juve n il e sp o rt s i n c o mp an y ,

w i th o th e r c h ildre n W h e n sh e ha d attai n e d t h e age

.

of ni n e ye ar s H e e xci t e d with in h e r an ar d e n t l o n g
,

i n g for h o l y C o mmu n i o n an d i n fus e d i n t o h e r s o ul

,

sp e ci al light s i n o r d e r that sh e might m ak e a g o od

,

pr e p ar atio n an d an e x a c t co n fe ssio n o f h e r p a s t life

, .

H e a lso ki n dl e d w i th in h e r h e ar t a h o l y fe rv o ur t h e
rs t t im e that sh e was p e rmi tt e d t o r e c e ive th e h o l y
E ucharis t wh ic h wa s on th e 2u d of F e bru ary 1 6 7 0
, ,
.

T he s e th r e e circums tan c e s are fo u n d i n th e di ary o f

Fath e r C app e ll e tt i wh ic h w e ha v e oft e n had o cc asio n
,

t o q uo t e V e ron ic a h e rs e l f con d e d th e m t o h im o n
.

t h e 1 9th of D e c e mb e r 1 7 02 wh e n sh e r e l at e d t o hi m
, ,

t h e Visi o n sh e ha d ha d o n t h e 2n d in wh ich our ,

L ord ha d s h o w n h e r h e r h e a r t u n d e r th e gur e o f iro n ,

and ha d r e pr o v e d h e r for wan t of corr e spo n d e n c e t o .

His gr a c e and r e min d e d h e r of t h e r ar e fa vours whi ch

,

h ad b e e n vouc h s afe d h e r a s a c h ild Th e r e a d e r will

.

re coll e c t th is vision i n t h e th ird c hap t e r of t h e rs t

book .

Bu t s till mor e d is tin c t an d e l abor at e w e r e the

ins t ruc t ions sh e r e c e iv e d from our S avi o ur du ri n g t h e
n ig ht whi c h fo llo w e d E a s t e r d ay i n 1 6 9 7 aft e r t h e ,

s o l e mn ity at wh ic h he r m y s t ic nup t ial s ha d b e e n

r e n e w e d an d wh e n H e g a v e h er a pre cious rin g with
,

th r e e g e ms D urin g that n ight H e app ear e d t o h er

.
,

and s aid Wil t th ou d o what e ve r I sha ll comm and
,

th e e 2 To wh ich sh e r ep li e d ! e s m y G od I wil l
, , ,
1 98 s . V ER ON I CA G I ULIAN I .

of thy soul ,
an d
t o My h o n o u r an d glory 8 Ne ve r .
*
.

give an Opin ion or c o u n s e l :t o an y o n e u n t il th ou ha s t ,

r s t a sk e d M y d i r e ct io n in pr ay e r 9 B e sur e O M y
. .
,

spous e ! t o ha ve al way s rm con d e n c e in M e an d ,

dis t rus t of thy s e lf I w is h th e e t o walk b e tw e e n fe ar

.

a n d lov e so that fe ar m ay pr e s e rv e th e e i n k n o w l e dg e
,

of s e lf an d l o v e dr aw th e e t o clos e u n io n wi th M e
, .

1 0 I ha v e c h o s e n th e e t o a c t a s m e di at rix b e tw e e n
.

si n n e rs an d My s e lf I c o n rm th e e n o w in that o fc e ,

n o t m e r e l y b y i n spi rat i o n bu t b y w ord o f m o u th .

,

L e t i t b e thy busin e ss t o s av e s o uls 3 for th e ir s alv at ion

a nd M y glory th ou mus t b e r e a d y t o s a cric e thy life
an d thy bl o od 1 1 F or t h e fu t ur e th ou s hall k e e p
. .

thy s e lf i n t h e ex e rcis e o f My divi n e pr e s e n c e 3 an d in

what so e v e r c o n dit ion th o u m ay e s t b e fas t e n thy s el f t o
,

t h e simpl e an d n ak e d cross an d bi n d thy s e lf t o i t b y

,

My Will 1 2 I w is h th e e t o b e e n t i r e l y t r an sfo rm e d
. .

i n t o My s e lf I m ak e o v e r t o th e e My P a ssion M y
.
,

m e ri t s an d all th e su ff e rin gs o f th e th ir ty th r e e y e ars

,
-

of My L ife that th ou m ay e s t w ork w i th M e an d

,

s u ff e r w i th M e I n all th i n gs c o n fo rm thy s e lf t o My
.

Will 3 d iv e s t thy s e lf of al l b e sid e s so that th o u m ay e s t

,

t rul y s ay I AM C R U C IFI ED W I TH C H RI S T .

T h e s e divi n e rul e s for attain i n g t o sublim e p e rfe c

t ion are tran scrib e d w ord for w ord from Ve ro n ic a s
,

w ri tt e n docum e n t s o f th e y e ar 1 6 9 7 T h e y w ould hav e

.

sufc e d for e v e r bu t s o gr e at wa s t h e c ar e wi th wh ic h
,

our L ord r e gard e d t h e spi ri t u al p r o t of His w e ll

b e lov e d d iscipl e an d s pous e that H e did n o t fail t o
,

r e n e w t h e r e m e mb ranc e o f His i n s t ruct i o n s in wh o l e ,

or in p ar t b y m e an s o f a lmo s t d aily Visi o n s a s m ay

, ,

b e s e e n b y an y o n e wh o c h oos e s t o co n sul t h e r volu

T hi s was sai d b e cau se sh e w as alw ay s afrai d o f pri d e an d
v ain g l o ry wh e n wr i t i n g ab o ut h e r o wn g ifts
, .
 s . VE R O N ICA GI UL I AN I . 1 99

m i n ous wr itings A v e ry r e m ark abl e ins tanc e of suc h

.

a r e p et it ion occurr e d in the y e ar 1 7 00 on th e 5 th of ,

April wh e n our L ord app ear e d t o he r for th e purp o s e

,

of r e movi n g th e sc ars of th e s tigm ata Sh e wri t e s a s .

follo w s c o n c e rn in g that occ a sion : O ur L ord w is h e s
that I sh ould l ay m y s e lf ou t for the good of m y n e igh
bours an d that I sh ould hav e n e i the r h um a n r e sp e c t
,

nor s e lf lov e 3 an d that I s h ould go e ith e r b y night or

-
,

d ay t o give cou n s e l t o wh oso e v e r m ay n e e d i t at m y

,

han ds 3 for H e a ssur e s m e that H e i n t e nds t o sp eak

th rough m e for th e a dva n tag e of o thers O ur L ord .

h as also convin c e d m e h o w n e glig e n t I ha v e h i the rt o

b e en in this re sp e c t 3 an d h o w th rough th is o the r souls , ,

hav e l os t th e fe rvour of divin e l ov e At t h e s a m e t im e .

H e m a d e m e awa r e that H e d e sir e s m e t o be e n t ir e l y

d en ud e d o f s e lf w i th ou t r e e ct ion upon m y s elf It i s
, .

His Will that I s h ould b e pr e p ar e d for e ve ryth in g a nd ,

that I s h ould m e n ti on what e v e r occurs t o m y confe ssor .

A g ai n H e s a id t o m e B e fai th ful 3 b e fa ithful

,

To .

wh ic h I s e e m e d t o r eply Gr a n t m e som e p ar ti cula r

,

'

dir e c t ion as t o th is B e fa ith fu l i n e v er yth ing H e

.
,

s aid Bu t b e sp e ci all y c ar e ful H e a dd e d t o ch e ris h
.
, ,

z e al for My h onour t o a ccomplis h My Will t o s e v e r

, ,

thy sou l from s e lf t o pr a ct is e promp t ob e di e n c e t o b e

, ,

con ten t e d in th e mids t of p ains an d l abours t o d e lig ht ,

i n b e in g t r e ate d con t e mp t uousl y t o b e chari tabl y ,

vigil an t o n b e ha lf of o th e rs t o att r a c t all t o M y h o l y

,

s e rvic e t o b e e x a c t i n r e ligious o b s e rvanc e an d t o

, ,

liv e lik e o n e d e a d n e v e r allo win g thy s e lf th e sm all e s t

,

gr atic at ion T h ou mus t also e x e rcis e thys elf stre n u

.

o u sl
y i n h umility a nd ob e di e nc e
Again on th e 4th of D e c e mb e r 1 7 07 Fathe r
, , ,

Capp e ll e tt i t e lls us i n h is dia ry that h e h e ard from ,

h e r o wn lips that a ft e r sh e ha d r e c e iv e d h ol y C om
,
 200 s . VER ON I C A GIUL IAN I .

munio n our L ord app e ar e d t o h e r an d g av e h e r a

, ,

fr e s h r ul e o f life wh ic h c o n ta in e d an abs tr a c t of th e
,

fo rm e r w ith th e a ddi t i o n that i n t h e morn in g of

,

t h e d ay sh e wa s t o m e di tat e o n His mos t s a cr e d

P a ssio n b e gin n in g w i th th e pray e r i n th e g ard e n
, ,

a n d con t i n uin g u n t il e v e n in g w i th al l t h e o th e r
sorro wful my s t e ri e s 3 an d th e n b e gin n i n g again as at
rs t H e r att e n t i o n wa s th us t o b e x e d h our b y
.

h our or r athe r mom e n t b y mom e n t 3 an d sh e wa s t o

,

r e l ate t o h e r co n fe ssor a ll t h e d e tail s of God s w ork i n

h e r soul an i n dubi tabl e sign lik e all th e r e s t of t h e

, ,

r e ali ty of th e s e h e av e n l y gr a c e s .

Th e d ev il t ook occ a sio n fr o m th e s e fr e qu e n t l e ssons

,

giv en b y our L ord J e sus u n d e r a Visibl e form t o d e c e iv e ,

V e ro n ic a b y a ssumin g a simil ar o n e bu t sh e wa s t oo ,

gr e at an a d ep t i n t h e sci e n c e of h e r divi n e M a s t e r t o
b e s e duc e d b y h is arti c e s S h e m e n t i o n s s e ve r a l of
.

th e s e o ccurr e n c e s u n d e r th e d at e of t h e y e ar 1 7 00 .

O n c e h e t ook upo n h im th e app e ar an c e of our L o r d an d ,

pr e s en t e d him s e lf b e fo r e h e r w ith h is cou n t e n an c e al l

r e spl e n d e n t s h o wi n g h er a l arg e book an d in formin g
, ,

h e r that i t co n ta i n e d a summ ary o f p e rfe c t io n Bu t .

sh e p e rc e iv e d h is ar t ic e in a m o m e n t an d n obl y ,

r e pli e d ,
In fe r n a l mo n s t e r I hav e no n e e d of thy
,

books 3 I wa n t no o th e r book bu t t h e crucix an d ,

th e Will of God . O f m y s e lf I c an d o n o th in g 3 I am

full o f imp e rfe c t io n s . Suc h u n fe ign e d h u mi li ty pu t
S ata n t o in s ta n t ight l e avin g b e h i n d h im an o ffe n
,

s i v e o dour in her c e ll An o th e r t im e h e a ssum e d t h e

.

s am e glori e d a sp e c t an d s aid t o h e r S tan d rm
, , ,

an d doub t n o t 3 I a m com e t o c o n sol e th e e an d t o ,

t e a c h th e e h o w th ou mus t co n duc t thy s e lf Wh e re .

upon the fa i th fu l disc ipl e o f J e sus smil e d an d th e n , ,

in a t on e of gr av e c o n temp t in qu ir e d ,
D e c e iv e r, ,
2 02 s . VE R ON I CA GIULIAN I .

visio n s wh ich sh e d e scrib e s i n th e mids t of th e mos t,

sign al fav o urs wh ic h sh e r e c e iv e d from God sh e n e v e r ,

m an ife s t e d t h e l e a s t d e si r e fo r th e s e e x tra o rdin ar y pri

vi l e ge s 3 a n d o n t h e i n n um e r abl e o cc a sio n s o n whi c h

sh e spok e fa mili arl y wi th God sh e n e v e r a sk e d for ,

an yth in g bu t c o n tr i t i o n for h e r si n s k n o wl e dg e of ,

h e r o wn n o th i n gn e ss co n fo rmi ty t o t h e divi n e Will

, ,

t h e c o n v e r sio n O f sin n e rs cross e s an d pur e suffe rin g

, ,

a n d t h e g ra c e of divi n e lov e It app e ars that th e s e

.

d e sir e s w e r e i n a c e r tain s e n s e b y sp e ci al privil e g e i n

, , ,

n at e i n h e r a s is cl e a r fr o m co n sid e r i n g t h e h is t ory of
,

h e r e arli e s t y e a rs 3 an d th at lik e th e p a ssio n s of o th e r

,

c h il dr e n th e y gr e w w i th h e r gro wth an d s t r e n gth e n e d

, ,

w i th h e r s tr e n gth W e hav e a lr e a dy s e e n that th e y

.

w e r e n o t m e r e e mp ty ha n k e ri n gs an d d e sir e s 3 an d .

th is w ill b e s till m o r e m an ife s t e d b y what fo ll o w s .

C H APT ER II .

VE RONI C A s

H E R OI C P E R F E C T I O N I N TH E TH E OL OGI CA L .

VI RT UE S .

L ET no t th e r e a d e r b e su rpris e d at our d e vo t in g o n l y
o n e c ha p t e r t o a s u bj e c t wh ic h c o mpr e h e n ds t h e b a sis ,

n o t o n l y o f t h e Ch ris t i an life bu t also o f th e m o s t ,

.

s ublim e h o l in e ss vi z fai th h o p e an d lov e o f God

,
.
, , ,
.

W e hav e n o t tak e n th is cou rs e from an y l a ck o f

h e roic a c t io n s o n th e p ar t of V e r o n ic a bu t b e c aus e it ,

w o ul d b e sup e ru o us t o go ov e r ag ain m in u t e l y the

gr o u n d we hav e a lr e a dy tr o dd e n i n o u r rs t an d s e c o n d
b o oks e sp e ci ally sin c e w e h av e s e e n th e s a cr e d famili a
,

rity wh ic h e xis t e d b e tw e e n h e r s ai n tl y s o ul an d God

durin g mor e th an six ty y e ars h er almos t d ail y ,
,
 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL IA N I . 2 03

V isions an d th e w o n drous my s t e ry o f th os e e spous a l s

,

t o wh ic h sh e wa s s o gra ci o usl y r ais e d b y our L o r d

J e sus Chris t It is obvious that th e mos t liv e l y fai th
.
,

t h e rm e st h o p e an d t h e mos t a rd e n t c ha ri ty m us t
,

h a v e r e ig n e d i n suc h a soul N e v e r th e l e ss i n o rd e r .
,

t o a ccommod at e our s e lv e s i n som e d e g r e e t o t h e

ordin ary s ty l e o f bi o grap h e rs w e will n o t omi t som e ,

dis t in c t m e n t i o n of th e s e 3 bu t a s e l e ct i o n mus t b e
m a d e b o th for t h e s a ke of br e v ity an d th e r ea son s
, ,

give n ab o v e .

To b e gin w i th fa i th : a s G o d was c o ns tan t ly b e for e

the e y e s o f Ve ro n ic a sh e r e gul at e d all h er a c t io n s b y
,

t h e m axim God sees m e,

T his is att e s t e d i n t h e pro
.

c e ss b y h e r fo rm e r dir e c t o r Fath e r S e gap e li SO ,

.

habit u a l w i th h e r wa s th is e x e r cis e o f t h e pr e s e n c e of
G od that h e r d ay s p a ss e d w i th ou t h e r p e rc e ivi n g i t
,
.

Sh e a dmi t s a s mu ch i n h e r j o u r n al u n d e r d at e of t h e ,

3rd of Ap r il 1 6 9 7 3 a ddi n g
,
On s e v e r a l o cc a sio n s t h e
,

L ord wa s at m y sid e i n t h e lit e r a l s e n s e o f t h e w ords

,
.

I wa s awar e of i t an d was thus e n abl e d t o p e rfo rm in

,

a s h o r t sp a c e of t im e what u n d e r o rdin ary cir cum

, ,

s tan c e s w ould hav e r e quire d wh ol e d ay s
,
T h us we .

se e h o w i n h e r c a s e a life of e x tr e m e a c t ivi ty c o uld

, ,

b e combi n e d w i th an a lmos t p e rp e t u a l c o n t e m pl at io n .

Sh e wa s i n t h e co n s ta n t habi t wh e n abb e ss of c o n , ,

v e rsin g w ith h e r n ovic e s an d t h e wh o l e c o mmu n i ty

upo n t h e m y s t e ri e s o f t h e Fa ith th o u gh n e v e r i n a ,

co n tr ov e rsi a l m an n e r for sh e c o uld n o t b e a r p e opl e t o

,

ask t h e wh d t h h w of v ry m y s t ry I f
y an e o e e e an
y .

o n e at t e m t e d t o do so sh e w o uld r e prov e th e m an d
'
p , ,

t e ll th e m that our provi n c e is t o b e li e v e and no t t o

in v e stigat e T h is is an e xc e ll e n t rul e p ar ticul arly fo r
.
,

t h e u nl e arn e d Ve ron ic a al th o ugh a p e r s o n o f mod e

.
,

r at e n atu r al e nd o wm e n t s an d v e ry litt l e e duc ati on , ,

 2 04 s . VER ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

as Fath e r G u e l an d o th e rs t e s tify could ye t sp eak s o ,

l e arn e dly o n the subj e c t o f divin e m y s t e ri e s an d p e rfe c

t i o n s that th e mos t pr o fo u n d th e o logi a n c o uld n o t hav e
,

e xc e ll e d h e r H e n c e i t wa s a comm o n Opi n i o n amo n g

.

t h e n u n s that o n s e v e ra l occ a sio n s wh e n sh e h e ld

c hap t e rs a s th e ir a bb e ss i t wa s t h e M o th e r o f God
,

h e rs e lf wh o a dd r e ss e d th e m th r o ug h t h e m o u th of
V e r o n ic a ; wh ic h o pin io n wa s c o n rm e d b y h e r o wn
d e clarat i o n that n o t sh e h e rs e lf bu t t h e Bl e ss e d Vir
,

g i n wa s th e a bb e ss of t h e co n ve n t
,
.

S h e burn e d w i th t h e mos t i n t e ns e d e sir e t o se e th e

h oly fa ith prop ag at e d th rough ou t t h e w orld 3 an d if
sh e ha d b e e n p e r mi tt e d sh e w ould fa i n ha v e comp a ss e d
,

t h e glob e i n o r d e r t o e v a n g e li z e id o l atrous la n ds an d
, ,

s e al h e r t e s t im o n y w i th h e r o wn blood Th e follow in g .

is a s triki n g i n s tan c e of th e spiri t wh ich an im at e d h e r .

W h e n Fath e r Cr ive lli was c o n fe ssor e xt ra ordin ary

t o th e commu n i ty Ve ro n ic a o n e d ay r e q u e s t e d h i m
,

t o p r e a c h th e m a s e rmo n in wh ic h h e wa s t o in vi t e
,

a ll idol at e rs Turks h e r e t ics an d sch ism at ics t o com e

, , , ,

a n d e mbr a c e t h e t ru th Th e go o d fath e r smili n gl y

.

i n qui r e d O f what u s e c an t h e i n vi tat i o n b e wh e n
, ,

th os e t o wh o m i t is a dd r e ss e d are u n abl e t o h e ar i t 2
Bu t sh e pr e ss e d h im so e arn e s tly that at l a s t h e com ,

pli e d an d d e live r e d a s e rmo n at th e grat e suc h a s h e

, ,

w o uld hav e pre a ch e d t o th e m o s t b arb ar o us t rib e s of

I n di a Ve r o n ic a lit e r all y d an c e d fo r j o y an d could
.
,

no t su fci e n t ly e xpr e ss h e r g rat it ud e t o t h e fath e r .

It s e e m e d t o h e r a s if sh e w e r e h e r s e lf pr e a ch in g in t h e
mids t of th e s av ag e s an d r e apin g a ric h harv e s t i n th e
,

conv e rsi o n of m a n y souls .

I n ord e r t o s at isfy i n s o m e d e gre e h e r d e sir e for

m artyrdom on t h e n ight o f S L aur e nc e s fe a s t
,
.

a n d fr e q u e n tly at o th e r t im e s sh e w o uld impos e on

,
206 s . VE R ON I CA G IULIANI .

t i o n for th e P hilippi ans a r e e xh or t e d b y t h e apos tl e

,

t o w ork ou t th e ir s alv at io n w i th fe a r an d t r e mbli n g .

I n fa c t th e the ol o gic al Vir t u e of h o p e wh o s e obj e c t

, ,

is God tak e s i t s ris e i n th e fe ar o f o ur o w n

,

w e akn e ss an d n at u ral corrup t io n Suc h wa s t h e .

c a s e w i th Ve ro n ic a I n a l e tt e r o f h e r s w ri tt e n t o
.
,

Bish op C o d e b b o n th e 1 8 th of J a n u ary 1 7 25 sh e , ,

th us e xpr e ss e s h e r s e lf : M ay t h e mos t h o ly Vi rgi n
o b tai n for m e t h e s al v at io n o f m y so u l 3 I a l w ay s fe a r

an d t r e mbl e From this diffid e n c e of h e rs e lf sh e r o s e
.

t o rm cond e n c e in th e m e r cy of God Sh e w ould .

t h e r e for e fr e qu e n t l y si n g the 1 3 5 th Ps alm wh ic h ,

b e gin s , P ra is e th e L o r d fo r H e i s good an d, ,

wh ic h t e rmin at e s e v e ry v ers e w i th f o r His m e rcy ,

e n dur e th fo r e v e r A ccordi n gl y sh e ha d n o fe ar
.

of d e ath bu t wa s o n t h e co n t rary an xi o us t o di e
, , ,
.

Sis te r Fl o rid a C e o l i wh o live d tw e n ty fo ur y e ars

,
-

w i th h e r b e ars w i t n e ss t o th is fa c t I f o u r S ain t re
,
.

frai n e d fr om pr ay i n g for d e ath a s a b o o n i t wa s onl y ,

i n ord e r that sh e might suffe r m o r e 3 an d th is wa s

an e vid e n c e o f h e r h o p e for that r e wa rd wh ic h G o d

ha s promis e d t o th o s e wh o su ff e r .

Bu t this virt u e wa s c h i e y co n spicuous i n th e t ri a ls

th roug h wh ich sh e ha d t o s t ruggl e Amo n g t h e .

t e mp tat i o n s b y wh ich th e d e vil s tr o v e t o e ff e c t h e r

rui n th os e of dis trus t an d d e sp air w e r e n o t th e
,

light e s t o r t h e l e a s t fr e qu e n t
,
T h ou art o u r s th o u
.
,

art o u r s s aid t h e e vil o n e Upo n wh ic h Ve r o n ic a
, .

r e t o rt e d
I f I a m y ours wh y d o yo u t e mp t m e 2
,

Bu t i t m ay c o n duc e t o th e in s truc t io n o f m a n y t o h e a r
h er o wn a ccou n t of h e r c o n duc t du r i n g th e s e atta cks .

It is u n d e r o b e di e n c e sh e s ay s that I wr it e t h e
,

,

d e tails of s o m e o f th os e ass aul t s wh ich are so fre

qu e n tl y m a d e upo n m e by the d evil Th e y are of .
 s . VE R O N I CA G IUL I AN I . 2 07

Various d e scrip tion s To displ e a s e h i m I s hall su m

.
,

th e m up i n g e n e ral an d th e n d e sc e nd t o p ar ticul ars

,
.

S ata n s eems t o mock m e 3 bu t he ha s g o od r e a son t o

do so for I a m a Vile w orm of ear th I a m no th in g
, ,

I c a n do n o th i n g I c a n w il l n o th i n g
,
T he W ill .

of God is m y s tay T h ough I c an do no th ing

.
,

I r e ly with a rm faith on th e po w e r of God I .

t rus t m y s e lf t o His po we r H e ght s for m e . .

I glory i n His in n ity I h op e in His m e rcy I , ,

fold m y s elf in th e a rms of H i s imm e ns e l ov e a nd

u nlimi t e d po we r T he far th e r I e n t e r i n t o th e
.

r e at n e ss of G od the mor e s t r e ng th e n e d I fe e l 3 an d
g ,

I d e riv e from this a g e n e rous r e a din e ss t o w r e s tl e w i th

al l t h e po w e rs of h e ll Ag ai n I r e p e at that o f my s e lf
.

I c an do no th i n g I a m good for n o th i n g ; I tak e m y

,

s t and on the co n sid e rat io n of m y o wn n o th in g n e ss

an d th e mor e d e e pl y I bur y m y s e lf i n th is a b y ss the ,

m ore do I n d m y s e lf dr aw n t o t h e co n t e mpl at io n of t h e
d ivi n e attribu te s I x m y g az e upon th e m e rc y
.

of m y God an d b e h old as i n a mirror th e lov e w i th

,

wh ic h H e ha s bl e ss e d an d co n t i n u e s t o bl e ss m y
,

s o ul
. It is i n th is divin e c hari ty that I pl a c e m y
t rus t wh e n I s e e m y n o th i n g n e ss an d inc ap a ci ty
,

w i th ou t th e gra c e of God
H e r w ri t i n gs are full of
.

th e s e s e n t im e n t s .

Sin c e sh e wa s h e rs e l f so good a comb atan t i t is ,

no t surprisi n g tha t sh e s h ould ha v e e xc e ll e d in a s

sis t in g o th e r s wh e n e n gag e d i n simil ar co n ic t s .

W e could giv e m an y illus trat i o n s o f th is 3 bu t for ,

br e vi ty s s ak e we w ill co n t e n t ours e lv e s wi th o n e
, ,

whic h is r e l ate d i n th e proc e ss b y Sis t e r F lorid a

C e ol i wh o m w e ha v e s o oft e n ha d occ a si o n t o n a m e
, .

S h e was th e n e x t in a u th o ri ty t o Ve ro n ic a an d di e d ,

i n t h e Odour of s anc t ity ; h e r e vid en c e th e r e fore , ,

 2 08 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

h as gr e at w e ight Wh e n sh e wa s a n o vic e u n d e r
.

Ve ro n ic a sh e wa s a go o d d e al t r o ubl e d o n t h e s ub
,

j e ct o f h e r o wn pr e d e s t i n at i o n an d t h e d e vil d id ,

h is b e s t t o fo m e n t h e r fe ar s On e d ay i n H o l y .

We e k i n e i th e r 1 7 03 o r t h e fo ll o w i n g y e a r wh il e
, ,

sh e w as ta ki n g th e d iscipli n e w i th h e r n ovic e
mis t r e ss i n m e m o ry of t h e P a ssi o n o f J e sus the
, ,

arc h e n d tr i e d t o i n t e rr u p t h e r i n th is m o rti c at i on
-
,

s ayi n g Wil t th ou s e e if th o u art g o i n g t o b e c o n
,

d e m n e d e t e rn al l y ! B e h old h e ll o p e n b e fo r e th e e !
A n d at t h e s am e m o m e n t t h e t e rri e d n o vic e saw
b e fore h e r e y e s a gre at whi rlpool of re an d b e ga n ,

t o we e p vi o l e n t l y H e r s ai n t l y mis t r e s s p e rc e iv e d
.

the c aus e an d s aid t o h e r Do n o t b e a fra id : ha v e
, ,

fa ith . Th e d e vil is a li a r 3 what h e s h o w s y ou is

m e r e l y an illusio n S o s ay i n g sh e e mbr a c e d h e r
.
,

a ffe c t i o n at e l y Th e s e f e w w ords wi th th e ir a e com

.
,
~

p an yi n g e mbr a c e brought suc h cons o l at i o n t o t h e

,

p o or n ovic e that h e r agi tat i o n wa s c alm e d in a mo

,

m e n t Subs e qu e n t ly t h e s a m e Sis t e r F lorid a attri

.

bu t e d t o th e h e roic h op e of Ve ro n ic a th e a bu n d an t
a ssis ta nc e i n t h e way of alms wh ic h duri n g h e r gov e rn

m e n t o w e d in t o the mon a s t e ry fo r wh e n sh e ha d at ,

rs t ass um e d t h e sup e riors h ip th e e s tablish m e n t wa s

i n a wr e t c h e d con di t i o n ove rwh e lm e d w i th e mb arr ass ,

m e nt s an d d e s t it ut e of n e c e ss ar i e s Wh e n our S ai n t
,
.

b e c am e abb e ss sh e p aid o ff t h e d e b t s e n l a rg e d t h e
, ,

buildi n g and suppli e d i t w i th all that wa s r e quisi t e

, .

L a s t l y i n o rd e r t o giv e som e id e a o f h e r i n t e n s e
,

lov e o f God o f wh ic h w e hav e alr e a d y s e e n m an y

,

i n s tan c e s we mus t bri e y r e m ar k that he r e x t e

,

rior w ould oft e n pr e s e n t sign s of that in e ff ab l e

c harity w ith wh ich sh e wa s poss e ss e d an d a s i t we r e , , ,

in ebri ate d O n s ev er al occ a sions sh e r an a s th ough

.
,
210 s . VE R ON I CA G I ULI AN I .

sh e e n t e r tai n e d f o r God i n duc e d h e r t o d e s tr o y e v e ry

th i n g i n h e rs e l f wh ic h might displ e a s e H i m H e n c e .

aros e t h e i n t e n s e c o n tr i t i o n wh ic h sh e displ ay e d i n

m an ife s ti n g t h e slight e s t imp e r fe c tio n s t o h e r c o n

fe ss o r . Th is is att e s t e d b y t h e l a s t c o n fe ss o r sh e e v e r
ha d Fath e r G u e l wh o m e n t i o n s that sh e w as i n t h e
, ,

habi t o f p r e fa ci n g h e r s e lf a ccus at i o n s w i th th e w o r ds
-
,

I ha v e o ffe n d e d G o d wh il e this d e cl arat i o n c o s t h e r
,

suc h p ai n tha t h e r h e art s e e m e d r e a d y t o br e ak an d

, ,

i t fre qu e n t l y happ e n e d that i t s t o pp e d h e r br e ath in g .

Sh e a pp e ar e d t o b e i n a c e r ta i n m an n e r j e a l o us o f
i n anim at e th i n gs fo r i n s tan c e sh e w o uld e mb ra c e

t h e t r e e s an d t h e s t o n e s kissi n g th e m an d bl e ssi n g
, ,

th e m b e c a us e th e y n e v e r dis o b e y G o d o r tran sg r e s s
,

His comm an dm e n t s Suffe rin g u n mix e d su ff e ri n g o n

.
,

b e half of h e r B e l o v e d wa s t h e o bj e c t o f h e r m os t
,

e a rn e s t d e si r e s T his burn i n g chari ty wa s sy mb o liz e d

.

b y th e a m e s impr e ss e d o n h e r h e art an d wa s illus ,

t rat e d b y th e fo ll o wi n g Vi si o n z Sh e wr i t e s that o n

E a s t e r D ay i n t h e y e a r 1 6 98 J e sus app e ar e d t o h e r
, , ,

an d h oldi n g i n H i s H a n d a h e a r t wh ic h H e d r e w ,

fr o m His B re a s t pr o n ou n c e d t h e fo ll o wi n g w o rds
, ,

T e ll m e wh o s e is this h e ar t !
,
L o r d i t is T hin e , ,

r e pli e d V e r o n ic a T e ll m e wh o s e is this h e art !
.
,

r e p e at e d o u r L o r d 3 an d sh e g a v e t h e s am e an s we r a s
b e fo r e Bu t J e sus a s H e ha d d o n e t o S t P e t e r t urn e d
.
, .
,

t o h e r ag a in wi th t h e s a m e i n q ui ry T e ll m e wh os e , ,

is thi s h e art ! an d fo r t h e th i r d t im e Ve ron ic a re

pli e d It is T h in e
,
I f i t is Min e th e n r e sum e d
.
, ,

o u r L ord

,
I shall pu t i t b a ck i n i t s p r o p e r pl a c e .

T h e n sh o w i n g h e r His o wn divin e H e art w i thi n His

,

op e n e d Sid e H e pl a c e d V e r o n ic a s ab o v e i t At thi s
,

.

sight sh e b e c am e all o n re w i th l o v e S h e ha d i n .

num e rabl e favours lik e th e abov e p ar ticul arl y on ,

 s . VE R ON I CA GI ULI AN I . 21 1

occ asio n s o f s a cr am e n tal C ommu n io n T he bl e ss e d .

E u cha ri s t wa s o ft e n a dmi n is t e r e d t o he r i n a visibl e

m an n e r b y a n g e l s b y t h e m o s t H o l y Vi r gin a nd by
, ,

J e sus Chris t Hims e l f Fath e r Capp e ll e tti a lon e m e n

.
~

t ions n o fe w e r tha n ve o f th e s e i n s tan c e s withi n the

y e ars 1 7 02 1 7 03 an d 1 7 04 H e ob ta in e d hi s in fo r
, ,
.

m at i o n fro m h e r o wn lips at th e t im e h e wa s h e r con

fe sso r a nd h e giv e s v e ry co n clusi ve e vid e n c e of th is
, ,

for h e s tat e s that o n s e v e r al morn i n gs wh e n he was

s ay i n g M a ss at t h e co n v e n t h e g a v e h e r a pur e ly,

m e n tal comm and t o b e commu n ic at e d at the hands of

an ge ls an d that aft e r th e t e rmin at ion of th e h o l y S a c
,

ri c e sh e h e rs e lf m e n t i o n e d t o h i m the comm an d sh e
,

ha d r e c e ive d an d i t s a cc o mplis h m e n t H i s di a ry m e n
,
.

t io n s t h e 2 l st of N ove mb e r 1 7 02 a s b e in g t h e d at e
, ,

of o n e of th e s e occurr e n c e s Suc h r ar e privil e g e s lik e

.
,

th os e of wh ic h our s e co n d bo o k is full b e l o n g t o t h e ,

cl a ss term e d gr at ui t ous !gra tis d atoe) b e c aus e th e y ,

hav e n o fo un d at i o n i n t h e m e ri t s of th e r e cipi e n t :
a l th ough a s w e m ay l e ar n from t h e liv e s o f o th e r
,

s ain t s God i n His ordi n ary p r ovid e n c e d o e s no t gr a n t

,

the m e xc e p ti n g t o suc h s o uls a s are mos t e n a mour e d

o f His divi n e M aj e s ty H e n c e we m ay infe r th e
.

gr eat n e ss of V e r o n ic a s lov e for h e r Supr e m e Good .

C H APT ER III .

H ER REMAR! ABLE !E AL AND C HAR ITY T OW AR DS H ER

N EIG HB OU R .

L OVE fo r o ur n e ighb o ur is t h e tw in sis te r of lov e of G o d ,

an d is conc e rn e d with b o th th e te mpor a l an d spir it u a l

14 2
212 s . VE R ON I CA G IULI AN I .

a dv an tag e of o th e rs I n th e fo rm e r it m ay b e t e rm e d
.

chari ty an d i n th e l att e r z e al Ve ro n ic a sh o n e c o n
, ,
.

sp i cu o u s i n bo th Wi th r e g ard t o t h e rs t from h e r
.
,

v e ry in fan cy sh e s e e m e d in cli n e d b y pr e v e n t in g gr a c e
, ,

t o r e li e v e o th e rs A s sh e g r e w i n y e ars sh e a dv an c e d
.
,

i n chari ty W h e n i t fe ll t o h e r a s a r e ligious t o ha ve
.

t h e charg e o f t h e t urn an d s t ill m o r e a ft e r ward s

, ,

wh e n sh e b e c am e abb e ss sh e did h e r u t mos t t o a ssis t

,

t h e poor w h o a ppli e d t o t h e m o n a s t e ry f o r a lms 3 an d

a l th o ugh sh e c o uld n o t p e r s o n ally att e n d th e pris o n s
an d h o spi ta ls sh e Visi t e d th e m i n spi r i t b y d e sir e s
,

a n d pr ay e r s a s sh e o n e d ay a dmi tt e d t o Sis t e r M a r y
,

B o scai n i wh o w as a ski n g h e r h o w t o e mplo y h e rs e lf

,

durin g a s e a s o n of d ryn e ss o f spi ri t .

It wa s im possibl e t o surp a ss th e c harity wh ic h s he

e vi n c e d t o war ds t h e sick m e mb e r s of t h e c o mmu n i ty ,

p art icul arl y wh e n sh e w as abb e ss f o r th e n sh e e n j o ye d ,

m o re lib e rty a s t o th e d isp o s a l o f h e r t im e 3 n igh t an d

.

d ay sh e w as t o b e m e t w i th at th e ir b e dsid e 3 sh e w o uld
Visi t th e m at an y s a cric e of h e r o wn c o n v e n i e n c e ,

i n c a s e th e y s h o u ld b e i n wa n t o f a ssis ta n c e In .

o r d e r that th e y might b e b e tt e r att e n d e d sh e a dd e d ,

t w o t o t h e usu a l n umb e r o f i n rm ari an s an d wh e n e v e r ,

sh e c o uld sh e nu r s e d th e m w i th h e r o wn ha n ds
,
H er .

h e r oism wa s sp e ci ally m an ife s t e d i n comi n g do wn

e v e ry d ay t o t h e g at e o f t h e mo n a s t e ry t o dr e ss t h e ,

w o u n ds o f Sis t e r An t o n y an e xt e rn a l sis t e r wh o wa s
, ,

suffe r in g fr o m a d re a dful c an c e r I n th e b r e as t W h e n .

an y sis t e r w as d y i n g V e r o n ic a u n min dful o f h e r o w n

, ,

co n v e n i e n c e har dl y l e ft h e r sid e e v e n fo r m e als bu t

, , ,

did all in h e r pow e r t o a dmin is t e r t o h e r bodily a s w e l l

as spiri t u a l r e li e f S h e a c t e d i n t h e s am e way t o wa rd s
.

Sis t e r M arg ar e t M arc o n i d e ll a P e n n a di Billi wh o , ,

b e sid e s b e in g in consu m p t ion was muc h wa s t e d away

, .
214 s . VER ON I CA G I ULI AN I .

I n D e c e mb e r 1 6 9 6 a ft e r sh e ha d b e e n ru n nin g ab o u t
, ,

the g ard e n i n a s tat e of e cs ta s y during pouri n g r ain , ,

ex cl aimin g that sh e wan t e d t o n d h e r God sh e at ,

length p a us e d an d s aid i n th e mids t o f h er sigh s M y

, , ,

G od m y In n i t e L o v e ! I w o uld fain hav e th is boo n

, ,

that T h ou s h oulds t b e n o m o r e o ffe n d e d T h e re is .

n o th in g I w o u ld n o t d o t o pr e v e n t t h e l oss o f s o

m a n y souls O G o d O G o d I fe e l that m y h e art is

.

op en i n g . At this m o m e n t sh e con t in u e s ,
God ,

g av e m e som e id e a o f the in gr at it ud e o f cr e at ur e s an d ,

h o w muc h th is sin displ e a s e s Him I b ehe ld our L ord .

i n th e su ffe ri n gs of His P a ssion scourg e d cro w n e d wi th

, ,

th o rns a nd w i th a h e a vy cros s o n His s h o uld ers H e

,
.

sai d t o m e ,
B e h old an d m a rk w e l l this pl a c e ; i t

,

shall n e v e r hav e a n e n d : M y jus ti c e an d M y rig o rous

indign ati on cons t i t u te it s agon y I se e m e d t o h e ar a

.

t r e m e ndous no is e 3 a mu lt i t ud e of d e vils app e are d ,

h oldin g fa s t b ou n d in cha i n s a v ari e ty of a n im al s .

Th e l atte r sudd e nl y a ssum e d h um a n fo rms bu t th e y ,

we r e so ugl y an d h id e o us that th e y fright e n e d m e

,

mor e tha n th e d e mo n s th e ms e lv e s Al l at o n c e .

th e y r e sum e d th e app e a ra nc e o f b e a s t s and w e r e p re ,

c ipi tate d in t o an abod e o f u tt e r d a rk n e ss wh e r e th e y ,

c urs e d God an d His s ain t s H e r e I wa s e n r ap t ur e d

.
,

a nd our L ord commu n ic at e d t o m e that th is pl a c e wa s

h e ll an d that it s i n habi tan t s w e r e d e p ar t e d souls
, ,

wh o i n co n s e qu e n c e of th e ir sin s ha d b e e n c o n
, ,

d e m n e d t o th o s e b e s ti a l fo rms an d that som e o f th e m

,

ha d b e e n r e ligi o us wh e n on e arth 0 m y God I .

what is th e r e I can d o t o p r e v e n t th e s e c r ime s ! I

wa s m a d e t o u n d e rs tan d that t h e si n o f i n gr at i tud e
on e so displ e a sin g t o our L o rd that wh o e v e r is guil ty
,

of i t cru cie s Him a s i t w e r e a fr e s h R e ligious commit

, ,
.

m an y s ins of th is ki n d a nd ar e los t in cons equ e nc e J e sus

,
.
 s . V E RO N I CA G IUL I ANI . 2 15

s h o we d m e His cross His pr e cious Wo unds a n d His, ,

Blood wh ic h s tre am e d d o w n o n t h e e arth an d s aid

, ,

to m e ,
Th e v a lu e o f th is is i n n i te 3 I g a v e i t all f o r
th e s a lv at i o n of souls bu t I n d f e w t o a v a il th e m
,

s e lve s o f i t I n a n o th e r of th e s e visi o n s for sh e

.

ha d v e ry m an y suc h s h e r e l at e s th e v a rious kinds of

t orme n t s wh ic h sh e b e h e ld an d a dds that u nl e ss sh e

,

h ad b e e n supp o r t e d b y h e r a n g e ls an d t h e mos t ,

Bl e ss e d Vi rgi n sh e mus t hav e di e d of s impl e fe ar

,
.

S h e co n clud e s ;
I say n o mo r e b e c a us e I c an n o t say,

e n ough . Al l that I ha v e s a id is n o th in g Al l I e v e r .

h e ard o n t h e subj e c t fr om pr e a c h e rs an d a ll I e v e r ,

m e t w i th i n b o o ks i s n o th i n g ,
H e ll n e v e r c an b e
.

und e rs t o od n o r t h e an guis h o f i t s p ain s an d t orm e n t s
,
.

Visi o n s lik e th e s e h ad th e e ffe c t o f e xci tin g t o ,

an alm os t i n c r e dibl e d e gr e e h e r z e a l fo r t h e con

,

v e rsi o n o f si n n e rs In c e ss an t w e r e t h e p ray e rs an d
.

p e n anc e s wh ic h sh e o ffe r e d u p in ord e r t o brin g

th e m b a ck t o G o d T h is is att e s t e d b y Fath e r
.

C riv e lli h e r e x tra o rdin ary c o n fe ss o r wh o w as b e tt e r

, ,

a c qu ain t e d w ith h e r tha n an y o n e e ls e I n o rd e r t o .

r e nd e r h e r e ffo rt s m o r e e ffic a ci o us sh e r e qu e s t e d that,

i n t h e cours e of h is missi o n s h e w o uld c a us e what e v e r

pi o us s o uls h e might m e e t w i th t o m ak e a spiri tu al
a lli a n c e w i th h e r fo r t h e p u rp o s e of o b ta i n in g from
,

G o d b y th e ir j o i n t e x e rt i o n s t h e re p e n tan c e of th os e
, ,

wh o h ad s tray e d fr o m t h e r ig ht p ath
A n d i t is m y .

rm b e li e f a dds Fath e r C riv e lli that m an y of th e
, ,

mos t impo rtan t c o n v e rsio n s wh ic h t o o k pl a c e duri n g

m y missio n s w e r e t h e r e sul t o f h e r p ray e rs an d
,

p e n anc e s 3 p a rt ic u l ar l y a s I was i n t h e h abi t wh e n ,

pre ss e d b y gr e at difcul t i e s of i n v o ki n g m e n tall y t h e

,

a ssis ta nc e o f th o s e v e ry p ray e rs a n d p e n a n c e s An d .

I wa s anim at e d in m y w o r k b y t h e c o n vic ti o n wh ic h
216 s . VE R ON I CA G IULI AN I .

God fre qu e n tl y i m pr e ss e d o n m e that Ve ro n ic a wa s ,

pr e s e n t w i th m e i n spi ri t wh e n I p r e a c h e d missi o n s
,
.

S till mor e s trikin g wa s an id e a cu r r e n t a mo n g

m an y an d fo u n d e d o n v ar i o us e xpr e ssi o n s dropp e d
,

b y our S ai n t : n a m e l y that i t ha d b e e n gran t e d h e r

, ,

fo r t h e pr o m o t i o n o f t h i s h e r g r e at o bj e c t t o e xp e ri e n c e
, ,

durin g h e r m o rtal life t h e t o r m e n t s o f h e ll s av e o n l y ,

th e p a in o f loss a n d t h e p r iv at i o n of God Wi t h .

r e sp e c t t o t h e supplic at i o n s wh ic h sh e o ffe r e d u p
for sin n e rs sh e is d e cl ar e d b y e ye w it n e ss e s t o hav e
,
-

s h e d t e ar s of bl o o d Sis t e r M ary M agd al e n B o sc ai n i

.

d e pos e d a s fo ll o w s aft e r m e n t io n i n g t h e t e rribl e

,

m o rti c at i o n s wh ic h sh e a dd e d t o h e r p e t i t io n s

o n b e h alf o f si n n e rs an d u n b e li e v e r s : Ve r o n ic a ,

sh e s ay s fr e qu e n t l y s h e d t e ar s o f blo o d wh e n
, , ,

in h e r d e e p r e c o ll e c t i o n G o d m a d e k n o wn t o ,

h e r t h e s tat e o f si n n e r s th e gr i e v o us n e ss o f t h e ,

o ff e n c e s o ffe r e d t o Him an d th e ir mis e rabl e c o n ,

dit ion . I say th is happ e n e d fr e q u e n t l y b e c aus e ,

s e v e r a l of t h e n u n s ha v e t o ld m e that o n v ariou s
occ a si o n s th e y w e r e w it n e ss e s t o th is fa c t vi z our ,
.
,

pre s e n t abb e ss Sis t e r C l ar e wh o was th e c o mp a n i o n

, ,

of our S ai n t an d t h e t wo l ay sis t e rs Gi a cin ta an d

, ,

F r a n c e s I m y s e lf hav e m o r e than o n c e s e e n th e s e
.

t e ars o f blood i n h e r e y e s I ha v e als o s e e n a .

bl a ck V e il of h e rs sp o tt e d in s e v e r a l pl a c e s w i th t h e
bl o od w h ic h sh e s h e d o n th e s e o cc a sio n s T his l a s t .

cir cums tan c e is att e s t e d i n w rit in g b y Fath e r R an i e r o

G u e l h e r c o n fe ss o r wh o g a v e t h e v e il i n qu e s t i o n t o
, ,
o

m y u n cl e Do n D o m e n ic o B o sc ain i p r i o r o f S Sis t o
, ,
.
,

at Pis a T his d o cum e n t I hav e r e ad Fath e r G u e l

. .

h ad t h e v e il e i th e r fr o m Fath e r Gi r o l am o B a s t i a n e lli ,

or fr o m Fath e r B ald A n t o n i o Capp e ll e tti I do n o t

,
.

e x a c t l y r e m e m b e r wh ic h .
 2 18 s . VE R ON I CA G I UL IAN I .

i n t e ri o rl y
. Bu t th e y w e r e a ll e xtr e m e l y co n s o l e d
wh e n th e fr ui t o f h e r l ab o urs app e ar e d i n t h e sin c e r e
co n tri ti o n w i th wh ich t h e dy i n g r e ligious e n d e d h e r
life A la dy wh o was d e v o t e d t o w orldly a mus e m e n t s
.
, ,

an d p a r t icul a rl y fo n d o f d a n ci n g wa s atta ck e d b y a ,

d r e a dful c an c e r i n t h e fo o t H e r c o n sci e n c e w as dis

.

t u rb e d b y r e m o r s e 3 an d t h e ag o n i e s c o n s e qu e n t o n
h e r dis o rd e r d r o v e h e r t o t h e b r in k o f d e sp a ir H er .

d aught e r an d t h e J e sui t Fath e r Ti c c i at i wh o w as at ,

t hat t im e e x t r a o r di n ary c o n fe ssor t o t h e m o n a s t e ry ,

o t our S a i n t t o p ray f o r h e r H pl a di n gs w e r e
g e r
. e

succ e ssful fo r t h e u n fo r t u n at e l a d y e xpi r e d a ft e r

, ,

g ivi n g s at isfa c t o ry t o k e n s o f e t e r n a l s a lv at i o n At .

h e r d e ath sh e wa s a ssis t e d b y t h e a b o v e n a m e d fath e r -

,

an d s t ill mo r e b y t h e p o w e rful i n t e rc e ssio n o f h e r

s ain t ly m e di at rix .

An o th e r l a d y o f Ca s t e llo wh o ha d l e d a mos t
,

sc an d al o us life , wa s d yin g of a lin g e r i n g dis e a s e an d ,

e n d e a v o ur e d t o p r ocu r e t h e p r ay e r s o f V e r o n ic a o n

b e half of h e r soul Th e a n s w e r r e t urn e d b y o ur S a in t

.

wa s that sh e mus t publicl y ask p ard o n o f t h e wh ol e

c i ty if sh e w is h e d t o b e s a v e d
,
E v e ryb o d y th oug ht
.

that sh e c o uld n e v e r b e b r ought t o d o this b u t ,

th rough th e e arn e s t p ray e r s o f Ve r o n ic a an imm e di at e

c ha n g e w as e ffe c t e d i n h e r h e art 3 sh e s e n t for all t h e
p ar is h pri e s t s o f t h e city an d r e q u e s t e d th e m t o a sk
,

from th e al tar i n h e r n a m e t h e fo rgive n e ss of t h e

, ,

p e o pl e fo r a ll t h e sc a n d a l sh e ha d giv e n Sh e di e d a .

t ru e p e n it e n t . H e n c e w e s e e that t h e p ray e r s o f the

s ai n t s d o n o t o f th e ms e lv e s s ui c e t o e ffe c t a c o nv e r
si o n 3 th e r e mus t a ls o b e t h e c o Op e rat i o n o f th e sin
-

n er . I n fa c t wh e n e v e r an y o n e wa s c o mm e n d e d t o
,

h e r i n t e rc e ssi o n s h e di r e c t e d what w as t o b e d o n e
, ,

an d h e r c o n di t io n s w e r e n o soo n e r c o mpli e d w i th ,
 s . VE R ON I CA G I UL I AN I . 21 9

than th e happ y r e su lt follo we d Th e r e v e rs e was .

t h e c a s e if h e r sugg e s t i o n s w e r e n o t att e n d e d t o .

A z e a lous pri e s t ha vi n g r e q u e s t e d h e r t o pl e a d fo r a
,

c e r ta in p e rs o n sh e r e pl ie d
,
! e s Fath e r I w ill , , ,

pray bu t th e pit c h e rs are n o t r e a d y at t h e w e ll
,
.

By wh ic h sh e m e an t that h e r p e t i t i o n s w ould n o t b e
support e d by t h e go o d w ill of th e ir subj e c t We n d -
.

fro m h e r w ri t in gs that o n o n e occ a sio n w h e n sh e w as

,

en g ag e d i n pray e r t o our L ord Wh o was th e n visibl y ,

b e for e h e r t o t h e i n t e n t that sh e might b e a ssu r e d of

,

the co n v e rsi o n of c e rtai n in dividu als wh ic h sh e ha d ,

v e ry muc h at h e ar t H e an s w e r e d h e r w i th a smil e ful l

,

o f m aj e s ty T e ll th e m that i t is n o t e n o ug h t o c al l
,

u po n M e th e y mus t c o m e th e ms e lv e s an d s e e k M e

.
,

T h e z e al of Ve r o n ic a k n e w n o limi t s I t e xten de d .

i t s e lf t o t h e wh o l e Ch urc h militan t an d suffe rin g .

S h e wa s fre qu e n tl y i n vi t e d b y c e l e s t i al visio n s t o Offe r

, ,

up h e r su ffe ri n gs fo r t h e prosp e r i ty o f t h e h o l y Cath o lic

Ch urch O n c e t h e Bl e ss e d Vi rgin s aid t o h e r e xpr e ssl y
.
,

My d aught e r p ray for th e n e c e ssi ti e s o f Hol y Church 3

,

th e y are gre at On th e 1 2t h o f D e c e mb e r 1 7 07
.
, ,

J e sus Chris t Hims e lf app e ar e d t o h e r u n d e r th e s e m

bl a nc e of His P a ssio n an d a sk e d h e r t o a cc e p t thr e e
,

d ay s of sp e ci a l suffe r i n g b e fo r e t h e F e a s t o f t h e
Nat ivi ty t o b e a ppli e d t o t h e wa n t s o f o ur h o l y
,

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,

l iv e d Th e d ay s w e r e t o b e x e d b y h e r c o n fe ss o r
.
,

Fath e r Capp e ll e tt i H e app o i n t e d th e 1 6 th 2 1 st an d

.
, ,

2 3rd o f t h e m o n th 3 an d d e sc r ib e s i n h is di ary t h e
n at ur e o f t h e suffe r in gs wh ic h b e fe ll h e r o n th os e
d ays T h e y c h i e y c o n sis t e d i n a p art icip at io n in th e
.

h e avi e s t suffe r i n gs o f t h e divi n e P a ssi o n a dd e d t o ,

v ario us ill us age fro m t h e d e vil an d t h e m o s t bi tt e r

-
,

s pirit u al d e s o l at i o n S h e e n dur e d a ls o t e rr ibl e p alpi

.
220 s . V E R ON I CA G I ULI AN I .

t ati o n s a nd t r e mblin gs t h e d e tails o f wh ic h are t ak e n

,

from th e abov e m e n t i o n e d di a ry
-
H e r h e a d wa s al l
s w oll e n an d pi e r c e d a s th o ugh a n ail ha d b e en dr iv e n
,

i n t o th e middl e o f it T h e r e wa s an o th e r gr e at n ail
.

wh ic h w e n t th r o ug h fr o m e ar t o e ar H e r e ye s we re .

full o f th o rn s wh ic h m a d e h e r al t e rn at e l y burn i n g
,

h o t an d icil y c o ld H e r n o s e t o o wa s s w o ll en an d
.
, , ,
.

full of p a in H e r m o u th p al at e an d t on gu e w e r e
.
, ,

i n a s tat e of bur n i n g i n a mm at io n H e r thr o at .

,

als o ,
ha d s w o ll e n t o suc h a d e gr e e a s t o thr e at e n
su ffoc at i o n H e r a rms an d l e gs ha d th e app e a r a n c e of
.

b e i n g b o u n d t o t h e v e ry bon e s Sh e fe l t a s th ough h e r .

w h ol e b o d y wa s at o n e mom e n t b e i n g s qu e e z e d und e r
a pr e ss an d at a n o th e r crus h e d b e n e ath a mill s t o n e
,
-
.

Som e t im e s sh e fe l t h e avy a s l e a d an d cold a s i ce 3 at ,

o th e r t im e s sh e ha d t h e s e n s at ion of b e in g sco r c h e d
an d u tt e r l y co n sum e d i n a furn a c e H e r o w n br e ath .

s e e m e d t o h e r suc h that sh e w o n d e r e d an y o n e c o uld

b e a r t o b e n e ar h e r 3 sh e e v e n a sk e d t h e sis ter s h o w
th e y could e n dur e suc h a s t e n c h S h e s a id t h e s a m e .

th i n g t o m e bu t r e a ll y what sh e r e fe rr e d t o wa s n e ith e r
,

p e rc e iv e d b y m e n o r b y an y o n e e ls e : E ve ry th in g
,

that sh e t o ok s e e m e d t o h e r t o poss e ss th e s am e qu ali ty .

It wa s all dr e a dfull y bi tt e r mor e o v e r an d occ a si on e d , ,

h e r gre at i n war d dis t r e ss an d vomi t i n g On t h e th ird .

o f the s e d ay s wh ic h fe ll o n a F rid ay a s did t h e r s t

, ! )
our L ord app e ar e d t o h e r b e n e ath t h e w e ight of His
su ff e r in gs an d ag ai n a sk e d h e r t o appl y all sh e e n
,

dur e d t o t h e n e c e ssi t i e s o f h o ly Ch u r ch i n fo rmin g ,

h e r that t h e wan t s o f o u r spi r i t u a l Mo th e r at that

t im e w e r e n o th in g wh e n c o mp ar e d w i th what th e y
w ould o n e d ay b e A n d t rul y t h e l at e u n for tu n ate
.

t im e s hav e a lr e a dy V e ri e d th e pre dic t i o n .

T e n y e a rs l at e r vi z i n 1 7 1 7 whe n Chri s ten

,
.
, ,
 222 s . VE RON I CA GI UL IAN I .

Sh e p ray e d n ight an d d ay fo r th e s o uls in purg at ory .

S h e p e r fo rm e d v e ry s e v e r e p e n a n c e s fo r th e m 3 an d
e n t r e at e d Almighty G o d t o imp o s e o n h e r a ll kin ds of

su ffe ri n gs h o w e ve r d r e a dful i n o r d e r that th e y migh t

, ,

b e lib e rat e d fr o m th o s e a m e s 3 an d if sh e could ha v e

suffe r e d e n o ugh t o se t th e m a ll fr e e sh e w ould fain ,

have e mp ti e d pu rg at o ry . W e c an fo rm s o m e id e a of

t h e sp e ci e s o f p e n a l t i e s t o wh ic h sh e subj e c t e d h e rs e lf
o n th e i r b e half from an a cc o u n t wr i tt e n b y h e r s e l f
,

o n t h e 1 s t o f J a n u ary 1 7 1 7 I wri t e u n d e r o b e di
.

,

e n ce

,
sh e s ay s 3 I hav e sp e n t th is l a s t n ight i n the
mids t o f p ain s o f e v e ry d e scrip t io n Bl e ss ed b e .

G o d ! I ha v e e n dur e d all ki n ds o f b o dil y t orm e n t ,

in th e way o f fr e e z i n g c o l d bur n i n g h e at n e rvous

, ,

con vulsi o n s an d s h o cks p ai n s i n all m y bon e s 3 I

,

have b e e n pi e r c e d w ith s t e e l w e ap o n s an d s tr e t ch e d ,

fr o m wall to wall I ha v e a ls o e xp e ri e n c e d th e s e n s a
.

t i o n of b e i n g bu ri e d so that I wa s u n abl e t o br e ath e

, .

I wa s c arr i e d d o w n in t o a d e e p pl a c e wh e r e I fo u n d ,

n o thi n g bu t s e rp e n t s an d e rc e an im als It s e e m e d .

t o m e that I wa s g n aw e d b y a ll th e s e c r e at ur e s 3 an d
t h e ago n y wh ic h th is c aus e d m e e v e ry m o m e n t w as
such that I wa s o n th e p o i n t of d e ath Wi th r e ga rd .

t o t h e p ai n s o f pu rg at o ry I c an o n l y say that if t h e
,

s o uls wh o are th e r e c o uld r e t urn t o us th e y w o uld b e ,

u n abl e t o d e sc rib e th e m for what e ve r th e y might say

,

w o uld fall sh o r t o f th e r e ality .Th e p ai n s

o f th e b o d y are n o th i n g comp a r e d w i th th o s e o f t h e

s o ul O G o d th o u kn o we s t h o w fe arful th e y are !
.
,

T o b e b an is h e d fr o m G o d To b e d e priv e d o f G od
I n suc h a s tat e e v e ry m o m e n t s e e ms an e t e r n i ty An .

h ou r p a ss e d in suc h a co n di t i o n is mor e co n sumin g

than e v e ry o th e r su ff e ri n g or c r oss .

Vero n ic a wa s n o t l e ft wi th ou t a r e ward for al l that

 s . VE R ON I CA G I ULIA N I . 223

sh e e n dur e d . F rom th e conv e rs at i o n s wh ich I ha d

w i th h e r s ay s Fath e r T a ssi n ari
,

a s w e ll a s fro m ,

h e r o wn wr i ti n gs I ha v e a sc e r tai n e d that b y th e
,

m e ri t s o f h e r h o l y ob e di e n c e i n Offe r in g up su ffrag e s
for t h e d e a d sh e o b ta i n e d fr o m o u r L o r d th e lib e rati o n
,

of a n i n n um e rabl e mul t i t ud e Durin g h e r e cs ta si e s .

,

Almighty G o d an d th e Bl e ss e d Vi rgin vouch s a fe d t o

r e v e al th e s e fa v o urs t o h e r Sh e wa s fr e qu e n tl y p e r
.

m it t e d t o s e e t h e o bj e c t s of h e r c a r e s e t at lib e r ty ,

wh il e sh e h e rs e lf wa s l e ft t o suffe r th e m o s t s e ve r e
t ri als fo r a lo n g t im e A m o n g th e s o uls s e t fr e e b y
.

h e r i n t e r c e ssi o n wa s o n e o f a p r i e s t an d o n e of a ,

r e ligio us o f h e r o wn c o n v e n t n am e d Sis t e r C o n s tan c e

,

Din i of M e rc at e ll o wh o di e d i n O c t o b e r 1 7 03 3 a s a ls o
, ,

that of a c e r tai n Sis t e r Cath e r in e Th e l a s t m e n t io n e d .

-

soul app e a re d t o o u r S ai n t i n t h e fo r m o f a glob e o f

light d e r ivin g i t s lus t r e fr o m a m ag n ic e n t su n
, ,

wh ic h sign i e d G o d T hr e e t im e s h o w e v e r a sm all
.
, ,

cl o u d c a m e b e t we e n th e s e tw o obj e ct s an d o bs t ruc t e d ,

the p a ss ag e o f t h e su n s r ay s T h e n th e glob e a s

.

sum e d t h e a pp e ar an c e of Sis t e r Cath e ri n e an d t h e ,

e v e r gl o ri o us Vi rgi n wh o wa s pr e s e n t at th e Vi si o n
, ,

s aid t o Ve ro n ic a A sk th is s o ul wh e th e r th e appl a us e
,

wh ic h wa s giv e n h e r in th e w o rld is an y pl e a

sur e t o h e r n o w ! Ve ro n ic a pu t t h e q u e s t io n a nd ,

wa s a n s w e re d ,
A l th o ugh i t pl e a s e d God t o gra n t m e
a sp e ci al gra c e o f d e ta ch m e n t y e t t r an sit ory th i n gs,

w e r e imp e dim e n t s t o m e 3 that littl e cl o ud wh ic h

c a m e b e tw e e n m e an d th e su n wa s a sign of th is A s .

G o d is m o s t pu r e t h e s o ul wh ic h i s an xi o u s t o b e
,

u n i t e d t o Him mus t k e e p cl e ar o f t h e sm all e s t o bs ta

cl e s in a smuc h as th e l e a s t imp e dim e n t o r sp o t w ill
,

pr e v e n t i t fro m e nj o y in g His pur e l o v e O ur Bl e ss e d .

L a d y th e n d e sir e d Ve ro n ic a t o ask h e r what ki n d o f

2 24 s . VE R ON I CA G I UL IAN I .

l ife wa s mos t pl e a si n g t o G o d Sh e r e plie d A life .

,

o f su ffe r i n gs a life o f h umili at io n s a n d ig n omi n i e s e m

,

dur e d for G o d . T h e s e an s w e rs are suf ci e n t pro o f
o f t h e g e n ui n e n e ss o f t h e h e a v e n l y visi on .

Sis t e r Fl o rid a C e o l i b e ars wi tn e ss t o the lib e rat io n

o f th e s o ul o f t h e C ou n t M o n t e M art o h usb an d of ,

t h e C o u n t e ss G e n t ili n a Fath e r G u e l att e s t s t h e d e

.

liv e ran c e o f his fath e r L o uis F e rdin an d G u e l o n th e

, ,

F e a s t o f th e Assump t i o n 1 7 25 a ft e r thr e e d ay s of pur

, ,

at o ry H e a lso m e n t i o n s t h e d e liv e r a n c e o f h is sis t e r

g .
,

c all e d i n r e ligi o n Sis t e r M ary G a e tan a wh o di e d i n ,

t h e c o n v e n t o f S C l ar e i n h e r n at i v e pl a c e B o rgo
.
, ,

S S e polc r o T hat o f Sign o r Giuli o Span ac iari r e s t s

. .

up o n t h e e vid e n c e of h is d aught e r Sis t e r M ary C o n ,

s tan c e . T h os e of M gr E u st achj o f t h e a udi t o r .

, ,

M o n sign o r M agi o f F l o r e n c e o f Fath e r Capp e ll e tti , ,

an d of P o p e C l e m e n t XI o f h o l y m e m o ry s ta n d up o n
.
,

t h e t e s t im o n y o f Sis t e r M ary V ic t o ri a F ucci Sis t e r .

M ary M agd al e n B o sc ain i b ri n g s fo rward th e d e

liv e r an c e o f th e fath e r m o th e r an d u n cl e o f Fath e r
, ,

Cr ive lli all o f wh om di e d at Mil an T h e s e w e r e all

, .

t h e fruit s of V e r o n ic a s pr ay e rs a n d m o rti c at i o n s ,

a n d w e r e a ll r e v e a l e d b y a pp ar i t i o n s o r i n s o m e o th e r ,

u n mis tak abl e way W e s e e n o w w i th what g o o d

.

r e a s o n th e l e tt e r C sign ifyi n g charity wa s s tamp e d

, ,

up o n h e r h e ar t 3 a s also t h e t wo am e s wh ic h typi e d ,

h e r subli m e l o v e o f God an d h e r h e roic c har i ty ,

t owards h e r n e ighbour .
2 26 s . VE R ON I CA G I ULI AN I .

s ti t u t e a n o th e r for i t bu t ou r S a in t w ould n o t co n s e n t
, ,

e xc e p t o n c o n di t i o n that s h e sh ould a sk fo r o n e n o t

q ui t e s o b a d in chap t e r a s an a lm s Th e furn i t ur e of .

h e r c e ll c o n sis t e d o f a po o r li ttl e b e ds t e a d m a d e of ,

tw o pl anks with a w o rn o u t c o v e r l e t l aid o n i t an d a

,
-
,

c an va s pillo w s t u ffe d w ith s tra w a sm all s t o o l a , ,

tabl e w ith a d e v o u t prin t o n i t an d an e ar the n v e ss e l

,

fo r h o ly wat e r .

A s sh e g a v e so bright an e x ampl e h e rs e lf sh e was ,

abl e t o u rg e t h e o bs e r v a n c e o f th is Vir tu e o n o th e r s .

At an e arl y s tag e of h e r c ar e e r wh e n sh e O ccupi e d n o

,

p o sit i o n o f a u th o ri ty sh e o b tai n e d so muc h inu e n c e

,

by m e an s o f h e r t rul y r e ligi ou s d e por t m e n t that sh e ,

p e rsu a d e d th e n u n s t o giv e up th e ir silk cus h ions

f o r l a c e an d e m br o id e ry a s w e ll a s pi o us pic t ur e s o n
,

p ar ch m e n t s ilve r pi n s m e d als an d litt l e cro ss e s b e

, , , ,

c aus e i n h e r o pi n i o n suc h th in gs w e r e in c o n sist e n t w i th

t h e p o v e r ty wh ic h o ug h t t o b e pr a c t is e d b y Capuc h i n
nu n s W h e n sh e b e c am e mis tr e s s o f n ovi c e s o n e of
.
,

h e r spi r it u a l d aug ht e r s att e s t s that sh e was a l way s

e x h o rt i n g th e m t o l o v e t h e v e ry simpl e s t pov e r ty
3

an d s o imp r e ssiv e wa s h e r m o d e o f sp e a ki n g con ,

t i n n e s Sis t e r B o scain i that n e ith e r th e o th e r n o vic e s

,

n o r m y s e lf c o uld h e lp e ag e rl y p e t i t i o n i n g for t h e

v e ry c o mm o n e s t thin gs i n th e way o f pill o w c a s e s -

an d c o v e r l e t s e xchan gin g th o s e n e lin e n o n e s we

,

ha d b r o ught wi th u s fr o m th e w orld for o th e rs of

c o ar s e cl o th o r c an v a s .

S h e us e d t o m ak e us pick up e v e ry li t tl e thr e a d
that l ay o n th e gr ou n d an d e x amin e t h e sw e e pin gs of
,

t h e n o vici at e i n c a s e th e y mig ht c o n tai n a n yth in g

,

that could b e t urn e d t o a cc o u n t Sh e did th is i n .

o rd e r t o a ccus t om u s t o t h e p ra c t ic e of that h ol y

pov e r ty of whi c h h e r o w n conduct afford e d so illus

 s . VE R ON I CA G IULIAN I .
29 7
. 1

t rio u s a n e x a mpl e 3 for sh e obs e r ve d h e rs e lf the s am e

c a r e ful n e ss whic h sh e r e quir e d fr o m us Sh e t ook .

a way fr o m t h e n ovic e s h ip all music a l i n s t ru m e n t s

,

bi r dc age s an d suc h th i n gs fo r th e y w e r e n o t c o nform

, ,

abl e with t h e vir t u e wh ic h sh e so t e n d e rl y l o v e d It .

m ay b e e a sil y conc e iv e d that n o co n sid e rat io n what e v e r

c o uld i n duc e h e r t o a cc e p t an yth in g that wa s e i th e r
cos tl y or sup e r u ous D o n n a Juli a Alb a n i O li vi e ri
.
,

t h e a u n t o f C l e m en t XI o f h o l y m e mory pr e s e n t e d
.
,

h e r w i th a silv e r r e li qu a r y c o n ta i n i n g a fragm e n t of
,

t h e t ru e cr o ss b u t V e ro n ic a l o s t n o t im e i n pl a c in g
,

it i n th e han ds o f t h e bish op an d sh e a c t e d in th e ,

s a m e way wh e n a R om a n pr e l at e s e n t h e r a m e d al

a nd tw e lv e silve r c r o ss e s Wh e n sh e wa s a bb e ss
.
,

sh e w ould n e v e r k e e p t h e p e cu n i ary c o n tr ibu t io n s

wh ic h w e r e s e n t t o t h e c o n v e n t bu t hand e d th e m ,

ov e r t o t h e bis h op i n o r d e r that th e y might b e

,

r e s e rv e d for som e pr e ssi n g e m e rg e n cy Wh e n a ny .

suc h occu r r e d sh e s e n t t o a sk fo r a s muc h a s wa s

,

absolu t e l y n e c e ss ary d e cl ar in g that th e boun ty wa s

,

thus doubl e d i n h e r e y e s a s i t c a m e rs t from h e r

,

b e n e fa c t ors an d th e n fr o m t h e c ha ri ty o f h e r e ccl e
,

si as ti c al sup e r i o r S h e als o pu t a s t op t o t h e givi n g

.

of pr e s e n t s u n sui tabl e t o th e i n s t it u t e allo wing o n l y ,

suc h a s w e r e o f t riin g v alu e .

N o tw ith s tan din g h e r z e al for th is vir tu e i t pl e a s e d ,

God t o in cr e a s e i t b y m e an s of v arious visio n s Am o n g .

th e souls wh ic h w e r e r e l e a s e d fr om p urg at o r y b y t h e
pr ay e rs an d p e n an c e s o f V e r o n ic a w e ha v e alr e a dy ,

m e n t i o n e d t h e n a m e of Sis t e r C o n s tan c e S o on aft e r .

h e r d e ath i n th e mo n a s t e ry Ve ro nic a b e h e ld h e r t or
,

m e n t e d w i th am e s b e c a us e sh e ha d k e p t c e r tain
,

littl e p ap e r s on h e r al tarin o O ur S ai n t imm e diat e ly

.

r an a s th ough b e sid e h e rs e lf t o t h e or at o ry of h e r
, ,

15
2
2 28 s . VE R ON I CA GI UL IAN I .

d e p ar t e d sis t e r i n r e ligi o n an d b e g an s t rippin g o ff

,

i t s li ttl e o rn am e n t s e xcl aimi n g Ah ! if Sis t e r C o n
, ,

s tan c e could bu t r e tu rn t o u s h o w c are fully w ould ,

sh e s e t th is pl a c e i n o r d e r Je sus o n c e app e ar e d
.

t o h e r an d p o in t e d o u t t o h e r a c e rtain sp o t wh e r e sh e
b e h e ld a mult it ud e o f d e m o n s thro w in g dir t i n t o
c e rtain gro tt o s wh ic h w e r e lik e s an c t u ari e s
,
Ou r .

L o r d i n fo rm e d h e r that th e s e w e r e t h e c e lls o f r e li
gio n s fu rn ish e d at th e in s t ig at i o n o f th e d e vil w i th
,

curi o sit i e s an d u n n e c e ss a ry articl e s L a s tl y S Fr an ci s .

,
.

app e are d t o h e r an d r e p rov e d h e r b e c aus e sh e ha d

,

n o t us e d h e r a u th o ri ty a s a bb e ss w i th su fci e n t s e v e ri ty

i n r e movin g a l l abus e s ag a i n s t pov e r ty I n o rd e r t o .

e n cour ag e h e r t o d o th is o ur L o rd a pp e a r e d t o h e r
, ,

h o ldin g a b an n e r i n His H an d an d s aid t o h e r I , ,

am thy Vic t o r y Sh e wa s r e c o mm e nd e d t o c o
.

op e rat e s tric tl y w i th h e r c o n fe ssor f o r t h e pu rp o s e ,

of pro mo t in g t h e mos t rigid p o v e rty i n th e m o n as m

t e ry .

We t o ld b y Sis t e r B o scai n i that all th e s e

are

th in gs an im at e d h e r t o brin g th e wh ol e c o mmu n ity t o .

a s tat e of th o r o ugh d e ta ch m e n t Sh e w o uld n e v e r .

p e rmi t a si n gl e r e ligious t o ha v e an yth i n g sh e could

c all h e r o wn o r e v e n t o hav e th e disp o s al of an yth in g
, ,

h o we v e r slight might b e i t s v alu e Sh e ha d m an y .

diffi cul t i e s t o e n c o u n t e r in ach i e vi n g h e r e n d bu t s he ,

m an ife s t e d th r o u gh ou t an i n v i n cibl e for t i t ud e com ,

b in e d w ith a l a c r ity an d c h e e r ful n e ss Wh e n sh e .

visit e d th e ofc e s s h e wa s c ar e ful t o b an is h e v e ry

,

th in g that s e e m e d O pp o s e d t o th e m o s t rig o rous

p o v e rty O n c e i n my t im e s om e o f t h e I n rm ari an s
.
,

ha d b r o ught m o r e fago t st h an w e r e abs o lu t e l y n e c e s

s ary from t h e w o o d h o us e i n t o t h e in rm ary so Ve
-

roni c a ord e re d th e m b a ck c o n sid e rin g that suc h an

,
2 30 s . VE R ON I CA G I U L IANI .

b y goin g w ith ou t h e r bl a ck v e il fo r s e v e ra l d ay s lik e ,

a l ay sis t e r .

Such rigid p o ve rty wa s of i t s e lf a con sid e r ab le

m o rti c ati o n bu t i t wa s n o th i n g wh e n c o mp ar e d w i th
,

th e re st . To fo r m som e id e a of th is i t w ill b e as ,

w e ll t o r e fe r t o t h e s tyl e o f livi n g pr a c t is e d b y th e
c o mmu n ity at that t im e W e hav e th e offici a l s tat e
.

m e n t o f Sis t e r M ary T e r e s a Val l e m an n i wh ic h wa s ,

s wo rn t o i n t h e d e p o sit i o n m a d e t o t h e j u d g e s of
th e p r oc e ss an d t h e sub p r o mo t e r of th e fai th 3 wh e n
-

e x a mi n e d b y th e m sh e r e pli e d as fo ll o w s
,
Th e -

Capuch i n n u n s o f our con v e n t o bs e rv e p e rp e t u a l

abs t i n e n c e fr o m e s h m e at an d e v e ry d ay is a fa s t
,

with us Su n d ay s e xc e p t e d I n th e fo r e n o o n w e tak e
'

.
,

fo r dinn e r s o m e soup m a d e o f h e r bs o r suc h th in gs , ,

an d an e
gg ; o cc a si o n a ll y w e ha v e a li tt l e fr ui t O n .

th o s e d ay s wh e n w e d o n o t e at e ggs !vi z durin g th e .

,

forty d ay s fa s t o f A dv e n t b e gin n in g imm e di at e ly

aft e r All S ain t s an d l a s t in g t ill Chr is tm a s b e sid e s

,

t h e o r d i n ary L e n t o f th e Ch u r c h that o f th e Hol y ,

G h os t fr o m t h e A sc e ns io n t o P e n t e c o s t an d th e
, ,

W e d n e sd ay Fr id ay an d S at urd ay of e v e ry w e e k ) i n
, , ,

a ddi t i o n t o o ur h e r b s o up w e a re a ll o w e d a sm al l

p o r ti o n o f s al t o r fr e s h sh n o t m o r e tha n v e p o u n ds
,

b e in g al lo tt e d fo r e a c h d ay w e b e in g at p r e se n t ,

th irty thr e e n u n s an d o n e s e r v an t
-
Fo r o u r e v e n i n g
.

coll ati o n a sm all v e ss e l o f b o il e d br e a d is pr e p ar e d for

such a s r e quire i t 3 th e o th e rs tak e i n s t e a d a li ttl e s al a d ,

wi th a m o r s e l o f br e a d o r e ls e a sm a ll qu an t i ty o f
,

fruit fo r i n s tan c e a fe w grap e s o r a c o upl e o f c h e s t

, , ,

nu t s Or wal n ut s or an appl e o r a r a dish
, ,
Ve ro n ic a .

att e n d e d t o th e s e rul e s with t h e u tm o s t pr e cisi o n as ,

t h e wit n e ss e s d e cl ar e d u n an im o usl y 3 bu t th e s e g e n e r a l
 s . VE R O N I CA G IU LI AN I . 2 31

m orti catio n s wer e n o th in g i n c o mp ar ison with th os e

p e culi ar t o he rs e lf .

In ord e r t o mor t ify h e r n at u ral d e lic a cy of app e

t i t e sh e w o uld fr e qu e n tl y c o ll e c t t h e l e avi n g s o f
,

t h e soup of th e mor e ag e d nu n s an d m ak e h e r ,

o w n m e al upo n th e m H e r o rdi n ar y por tio n o f

.

food wa s so v e ry sm all that Fabb ri t h e p hysici an , , ,

w e igh e d i t an d s aid i t wa s impossibl e that sh e c o uld

,

ha v e subsis te d upo n i t n at ur a lly T h is wr e t c h e d

p ittan c e h o w e ve r b e c a m e a s o urc e o f r e al t o rm e n t
, ,

t o h e r in c o ns e qu e n c e of th e disgus t i n g th i n gs
,

wh ic h th e d evil i n h is an g e r wa s a ccus to m e d t o
, ,

mix up w i th i t n am e l y bunc he s of hai r d e a d mic e

, , , ,

i n s e c t s l e e c h e s & c All th e s e th in gs V e ro n ic a at e
, ,
.
,

al th oug h t h e vi o l e n c e th e r e b y d o n e t o n at ur e was

so gr e at ,
that mor e tha n o n c e Sist e r F l o rid a C e o l i ,

wh o wa s looki n g o n an d ha d b e e n a u th o riz e d t o do
,

so ,
s n at ch e d a way h e r pl at e fr o m h e r O ur L o rd .

w as pl e a s e d that sh e s h o uld s ha r e t h e bi tt e rn e ss of
His chalic e an d o n s e v e ral o cc a si o n s i n fus e d i n t o h e r
,

fo o d a c e rta in li quo r which commu n ic at e d t o i t a n

,

a lm o s t i n su ffe rabl e ta s t e a s th e l ay sis t e r Gi a ci n ta

, , ,

wh o ha d ta s t e d i t af rms ,
.

T h e r e a d e r m ay r e c all that p e culi ar fa s t wh ic h sh e

obs e rv e d for v e y e ars an d judg e if i t w e re p o ssibl e
,

t o s urp a ss suc h m o rti c at i o n Fath e r Cr iv e lli s tat e s

.

that h e r r e pos e du ri n g t h e n ight w as so bri e f an d
i n t e rrup t e d that i t might a l m os t hav e b e e n t e r m e d a
,

t im e of wa ki n g a s w e ll a s of sl e e pin g E ve n du ri n g .

t h e s h or t sp a c e h e r slumb e rs l a s t e d wh ic h p e rha ps , , ,

did n o t e xc e e d an h o ur sh e wa s c o n s tan tl y wakin g ,

an d e x e rcisi n g h e rs e lf i n m o s t i n t e n s e a c t s of l o v e

of God 3 an d th e n sh e w o uld dro p o ff aga i n w i th

h e r m ind full o f th e s e h o ly a ffe c t io n s 3 so that i t was a
 282 s . VE R ON I CA GIULI AN I .

s ea son m o r e of praye r t h an o f r e s t M e an wh il e .

t h e d e vil did n o t r e l ax bu t g av e h e r e n ough t o do i n

,

comb at in g h is atta cks an d co n qu e rin g h im 3 fo r i t

,

wa s p ar ticul arly d urin g th e h o u r s of n ight that God

p erm itt e d t h e p o w e r s o f d arkn e ss t o a ss a il h e r .

T his wa s bu t a sm all p o rt io n of t h e t ri als of

Ve ro n ic a W e mus t r e qu e s t o ur r e a d e rs t o c all t o min d
.

th e o v e rwh e lmi n g su ffe rin g s wh ic h w e r e co n n e c t e d

wi th h e r p ar ticip at ion i n th e c halic e o f o u r R e d e e m e r ,

h e r cro wn o f th o rn s an d t h e w ou n d i n ic t e d o n h e r
h e ar t b e sid e s all t h e t o rm e n t s of the divin e P a ssi o n
, ,

th e s a cr e d s t igm ata an d v ar i o us ki n ds of ago n y wh ic h

,

sh e s o fr e qu e n t l y e n dur e d th r o ug h ou t t h e c o urs e o f

her l o n g life H e r p e n a n c e s d e pos e d Fathe r C riv e lli
.
, ,

wer e of so t e rribl e a n atur e that o n e is at a loss t o ,

conc e iv e h o w sh e could ha ve liv e d th rough th e m w ith

ou t mira cl e Sh e us e d t h e disciplin e t o a fe ar ful e x
.

t e nt m a c e r at e d h e r body w i th s harp in s trum e n t s an d

, ,

w o r e an u n d e r v e s t w o v e n w i th th orns wh ic h sh e ,

c all e d h e r e mbroid e re d rob e O n m y aski n g h e r

.

wh e th e r wh e n sh e pu t i t o n sh e k e p t i t o n also b y
, ,

night a s w e ll a s b y d ay sh e r e pli e d in th e afrm at iv e

,
.

I h ad half a min d t o fo rbid h e r t o d o so 3 bu t re e c t

ing on h e r gr e at z e al an d spiri t o f p e n anc e I p e rmitt e d ,

h e r t o con t in u e i t o n ly limi t i n g t h e t im e s an d s e a so n s
,

at wh ic h sh e mig ht w e a r i t
Fath e r Ca son i S J o n e .
,
.

of h e r dir e c t o r s s tat e s that sh e wa s i n t h e habi t of

,

taki n g th e discipli n e fo r wh o l e h ours t og e th e r t o ,

imi tat e th e sc o u rgin g o f o ur L ord Je sus Ch ris t T h i s .

was a fun c t i o n wh ic h occupi e d h e r for t wo h ours an d

a half wh e n sh e w e n t th r o ug h th e wh o l e at o n c e
, .

Som tim e s h e d e sire d h e r t o dis tr ibu t e i t ov e r t h e d ay s

e

of a wh o l e w e e k O n suc h occ a sio n s h er i n s trum e n t s

.

w e r e bundl e s of th orn s n e tt l e s a nd iro n c hai ns Sh e

, , .
2 34 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL I AN I .

b e ans an d sm all s t o n e s O ft e n at n ight sh e a sc en d e d

.

the l o n g s tairc a s e l e adin g t o th e in rm ary o n h e r b ar e .

k n e e s m arkin g e v e ry s t e p w i th a cross whi c h sh e

, ,

m a d e o n i t w i th h e r t o n gu e so that t ra c e s of bl o od ,

w e re l e ft b e h i n d B e sid e s th is sh e w o uld pu t h e r
.
,

t o n gu e o n t h e wi n d o w sill an d pr e ss i t wi th a h e avy
,

s t o n e this sh e d i d e v e n wh e n sh e wa s i n t h e w orld .

But Fath e r Batti ste l l i an o th e r o f h e r co n fe ssors

, ,

m e n t i o n s s o m e th i n g s t ill mor e p ain ful T h e r e w e r e .

in h e r c e ll t wo l arg e h o o ks xe d i n t o th e wa ll a s far ,

ap ar t a s th e e n ds of t h e cross b e a m of a cr o ss an d t o -
,
.

th e s e w e r e atta ch e d tw o ru n n i n g k n ot s of c o rd in ,

wh ich moun t e d o n a s t o o l sh e in s e r t e d h e r wri s t s

, , .

Sh e th e n go t Sis t e r Gi a cin ta t o tak e away t h e

s t ool an d r e m ai n e d susp e n d e d in th e a ir for s e v e r al
,

h ours i n u n sp e ak abl e ago n y On e n ight th e l ay sis t e r .

fo rgo t t o c o m e an d tak e h e r d o wn an d Ve ro n ic a wa s ,

brought t o th e v e ry v e rge of d e ath Th e n u n s h e ard o f .

th is an d t old h e r c o n fe sso r wh o fo rb a d e h e r e v e r t o
, ,

d o t h e lik e ag ai n S o a ls o durin g th e l a s t y e ar s of h e r
.

life Fath e r T a ssi n ar i pr o h ibi t e d all t h e e x tra or din ary

p e n an c e s wh ich sh e ha d b e e n i n th e habi t o f imp o sin g
upo n h e rs e lf an d p e rmi tt e d h e r o n l y t o c o n t i n u e t h e
,

m o r e usu a l m e th o ds o f m o rti c ati o n fa s tin g di sci , ,

p l i n e s an d hai r cl o th
,
A l th oug h sh
. e r e gr e tt e d th is sh e ,

y i e ld e d a r e ad y o b e d i e n c e for sh e ha d n e v e r d o n e an y
,

th in g w ith ou t t h e c o g n i zan c e an d appr o v al of h e r

di r e c t o rs .

! e t all th is w as n o t sufci e n t t o s at i sfy h e r a rd e n t

d e sire s S h e wa s c o n t i n u all y pray i n g that God w ould
.

s en d h e r p ure simp l e suf ering It wa s o u t of the

, .

abu n d an c e o f h e r h e ar t that sh e g a v e u tt e ran c e t o

t h e fo ll o w i n g b e au t iful e xpr e ssio n Sh e h e ard a .

sw ee p e r p a ssi n g u n d e r th e w i n d o w s o f th e mo n a s t e ry ,
 s . VE R ON I CA G IULI AN I . 2 35 '

a nd i n quiri n gif th e r e was an y o n e wh o w ould bu y

hi s go o ds Why is th e r e no o n e e xcl aim e d Ve
.
,

ro n ic a wh o is r e a dy t o bu y su ff e rin gs ! I f th e re
,

w e re bu t an y o n e t o s e l l th e m I w ould purcha s e a l l ,

he ha d . Fath e r C riv e lli r e l at e s a s t ill m o r e s t rikin g
ins tan c e of h e r p a ssi o n for u n mix e d suffe rin g Th e .

g e n ui n e d e si r e o f o ur mo th e r Sis t e r V e ro n ic a h e , ,

d e cl ar e s wa s that sh e might s u ff e r mor e h e r th irs t

,

a ft e r su ffe ri n gs wa s absolu t e l y in s at i abl e I r e coll e c t .

that o n e d ay wh e n I wa s an xi o us t o m o d e rat e th e
forc e of h e r l o n gm g sh e t o ld m e that sh e c o uld n o t
,

li v e wi th ou t suffe ri n g fo r i t wa s th e s o l e b e n e t o f
,

e xi s t e n c e I r e m ar k e d
. I suppos e yo u w ould w is h

t o imi tat e S T e r e s a wh o s aid. T o suffe r or d i e !
, , ,

or S M ary M agd al e n of P azz i wh o us e d t o say

.
,

To su ffe r n o t t o d i e ,
S h e r e pli e d that i n o rd e r
t o suffe r s till mo r e sh e w ould c h o o s e n e i th e r t o su ffe r
,

nor t o d i e On m y biddi n g h e r e xpl a in h e rs e lf sh e

.
,

an s w e r e d that su ffe r i n g co n sis t s i n b e i n g d e p r iv e d of

what w e d e sir e 3 si n c e if w e ha v e t h e obj e c t o f o u r

wis h e s o u r s tat e is o n e o f e nj o y m e n t an d no t t h e
,

r e v e r s e th e r e fo r e a s sh e d e sir e d t o suffe r a nd t o d ie

that sh e m ight s e e an d e nj o y God i t w as a fa r gre at e r ,

p ai n t o h e r n o t t o d i e an d n o t t o su ffe r Th is is .

bo th a dmir abl e an d tr u e bu t i t o n l y a ppli e s t o suc h ,

s o uls as lik e V e r o n ic a are e n amou r e d o f th e cr o ss

, ,
.

Wa s an yth in g m o r e r e m ark abl e e v e r m e t wi th i n th e

liv e s of th e g r e at e s t p e n i t e n t s ! Trul y sh e m ight b e
,

c all e d a m ar ty r o f p e n an c e .

W h e n surr o un d e d b y th is th ick h e dg e of th orn s i t ,

is n o t surprisi n g that t h e fai r lil y o f an g e lic puri ty

sh ould ha v e o u r ish e d W e saw i n t h e r s t bo o k .

w i th what c ar e h e av e n wat ch e d o v e r o u r S ain t fro m

i n fan cy W e ll m ay h e r cha s t i ty ha v e ris e n t o a n
.
2 36 s . VE R ON I CA G I UL IAN I .

h e r o ic d e g r e e a ft e r sh e w as h o n ou r e d w ith th e m y s t ic
e spous a ls o f t h e Imm a cul at e L a mb A symbol o f h er
.

s o ul s fragran c e wa s th e d e licio us p e rfum e o f P a r a dis e

wh ic h h e r b o d y di ffus e d ar o un d h e r Ev e n durin g .

t h e m o s t frig ht ful a ss a ul t s wh ic h sh e ha d t o e n cou n t e r

fr o m th e d e m o n s an d wh e n sh e shar e d i n th e m y s t e ry
,

of o u r L o r d s sc o u rgi n g n o t th e sm all e s t p ar t of h e r

,

wa s s e e n u n c o v e r e d thr o ug h th e wat ch ful c ar e o f

,

h er B e lo ve d . W e w ill c o n t e n t o urs e lv e s w ith s um

min g up all that might b e s a id o n th is p o in t in ,

t h e w o r ds o f Fath e r Cr iv e lli i n t h e p r o c e ss,
Sh e

poss e ss e d th is Virt u e i n s o e min e n t a d e g r e e that sh e

mig ht b e t e r m e d th e v e ry pic t u r e o f puri ty S he .

s e e m e d lik e a spi r i t sc ar c e l y c o n sci o us o f t h e burd e n

,

of h um an i ty H e r e x ampl e wa s suc h a s t o in spir e

.

simil ar s e n t im e n t s i n t h e min ds o f all t h e o th e r

r e ligi o us .

W e w ill n o w pr o c e e d t o gl an c e at a n o th e r
bright e x ampl e giv e n b y o u r illus tri o us m o d e l .

C H A PTER V .

H ER PA TI E NCE A ND I M PE RTU RBA BL E G EN TL EN E SS .

V OLUN TA RY suffe ri n gs h o w e v e r app alli n g i n th e ir

,

n at u r e ha v e s o m e th i n g i n th e m wh ic h i s g rat ify i n g t o
,

o u r o wn w ill Th o s e whic h c o m e imm e di at e ly fr o m

.

G o d o r w i th H is p e rmissi o n fro m t h e d e vils c an b e

,
,

e n du r e d b e c aus e w e are s o o th e d b t h e r e e c t i o n that

,
y
w e r e c e iv e th e m fr o m t h e H an d o f G o d an d w e kn o w
,

that th e y are t h e e arthly in h e ri tan c e o f His b e lov e d

ones .
Bu t th o s e afflicti o n s wh ic h are b r o ugh t upon
u s b y o u r fe ll o w cr e atur e s e ith e r thr o ugh th e ir m a lic e
-
, ,
 2 38 s . V E RON I CA GIULI AN I .

an d i t s chara c t e r su bs e qu e n tl y ros e u n d e r h e r dir e c t i o n

an d bl e ss e d e x a mpl e N e v e rth e l e ss th e r e w e r e c e r tai n
.

nu n s wh o d e s e rve d t h e n a m e n e i th e r o f s ai n t nor
r e ligious jus t a s am o n g th e ap o s tl e s the r e wa s a
,

Jud a s I sc ari o t Fr o m th e s e th e s an c t ity of Ve ro n ic a

.

ha d much t o b e ar E ve n wh e n sh e wa s a n ovic e sh e
.
,

ha d a c o mp an i o n wh o se t h e rs e lf t o p e rs e cu t e o u r
S ain t c arry i n g sl an d e r o us tal e s abou t h e r t o th e
,

. abb e ss an d n o vic e mis tr e ss an d t r e at i n g h e r in th e

,

m o s t ru d e an d c o n te mp t u o us way e v e n b e fo r e o th e rs
,
.

But Ve ron ic a was n o t i n t h e l e a s t i rri tat e d by h e r

c o n duc t ; an d so fa r wa s sh e fr o m re n d e ri n g e vil
for e vil that sh e did n o t e v e n s e e k t o j us t ify h e rs e lf
,
.

On t h e c o n t r ary sh e o n l y r e s o rt e d t o t h e e v a n g e li c a l
,

v e n g e an c e p e culi ar t o th e s ain t s an d r e p aid e vil w i th

,

go o d subduin g i t b y m e an s o f b e n e t s Sh e w o uld
,
.

h umbl e h e r s e lf so far a s t o kis s t h e fe e t o f th is com

p an i o n 3 sh e a ssis t e d h e r i n e v e ry p o ssibl e way an d e v e n ,

t han k e d h e r fo r t h e tr e at m e n t sh e ha d r e c e iv e d at h e r
han ds .Sh e o n l y r e qu e s t e d h e r t o fo rb e ar i n public
f o r fe ar o f givi n g sc an d a l t o o th e rs sh e did n o t mi n d
what wa s do n e t o h e r in privat e Th e re a d e r mus t .

n o t susp e c t that e i th e r o f h e r th r e e fe ll o w n ovic e s -

wh os e n a m e s are m e n t i o n e d i n t h e e ighth c hap t e r o f

t h e r s t b o o k ha d an y s har e i n th is disgr a c e ful p e r
,

Se c uti o n Sis t e r C l ar e F e lici a e n t e r e d an d p a ss e d t h e

.

y e ar o f n o viciat e w i th h e r Th e l att e r ha s b e e n n u
.

j ust ly bl am e d o n th is scor e b y a c e r t a in w rit e r 3 b u t

s o far fr om th e r e b e i n g an g r o u n d for suc h an ccu
y a

s at io n s h e was o n e o f th o s e wh o mos t a dmire d an d

,

a ssis t e d Ve r o n ic a i n h e r e xtra o r din ary p e n an c e s a n d

vi rtu e s T his w e ha v e a sc e rtai n e d fr o m th e in du
.

bitabl e t e s t im o n y o f th o s e r e ligious wh o w e r e h e r
c omp an io n s an d co n t e mp o r ari e s Ve ro n ic a s p e rs e
.
 s . VE R O N I CA G IUL I AN I . 2 39

u to r
c wa s clo th e d tw o y e ar s b e fo re h e rs e lf bu t wa s i n ,

t h e n o vici at e at th e s a m e t im e a ccordin g t o th e ,

cus t o m of t h e mo n a s t e ry wh ic h r e quir e s th e n e wl y
,

profe ss e d t o sp e n d t wo y e ars u n d e r th e di r e c t i o n o f
t h e n ovic e mis t re ss
-
W e h e ard h e r n a m e i n t h e
.

mon a s t e ry bu t r e fr ain from givi n g i t B e sid e s t h e

,
.

kin d n e ss sh e r e c e iv e d i n r e t ur n fr o m o u r S ain t duri n g

l ife sh e o w e d h e r a ft e r d e ath a s t il l gr e at e r fa vour for
, ,

sh e wa s o n e of th o s e soul s w h o w e r e sp e e d il y d e

l iv e r e d from purg at o ry b y t h e i n t e rc e ssio n of Ve ronic a .

Th e follo w i n g fa c ts wh ic h are r e c o rd e d in t h e
,

proc e ss e s w ill s e rve t o giv e us a b e tt e r id e a of h e r

,

h e r o ic p at i e n c e I n t h e cou r s e o f th e lon g p e ri od
.

d uri n g wh ic h sh e ll e d t h e Ofc e o f n o vic e mis t r e ss -

,

sh e ha d u n d e r h e r a coupl e o f v e ry i n tra c ta bl e novic e s .

O n e o f th e m could so ill brook h e r g e n t l e a dmo ni t io n s ,

that sh e wa s t r an spor te d w i th r ag e ag a i n s t h e r an d , ,

provin g in corrigibl e wa s dismiss e d fr o m th e co n v e n t

, ,

a s V e ro n ic a ha d pr e dic t e d b e fo r e sh e e ve n e n t e r e d i t .

N e v e r th e l e ss th e S a i n t ob tain e d fro m th e Bl e ss e d
,

Virgin that th is p e rso n s h ould re c e iv e t h e h ol y habi t

of r e l igi o n I n an o th e r ord e r an d b e br o ught t o r e p e n t
,

a nc e Sh e a ck n o w l e dg e d h e r fa ul t s an d i n d e t e s ta
.
, ,

t ion of h e r ill tr e at m e n t o f Ve r o n ic a sh e b e gan t o

-
,

publis h abro a d h e r s a n c t i ty S h e a ls o du r i n g an ill

.
,

n e ss implor e d w i th gr e at pr o t t h e a id o f h e r p o we r
,

ful pr ay e rs Th e co n duc t of th e o th e r wa s so Viol e n t

.
,

that sh e o n e d ay s truck h e r s a in tl y mis tr e ss an d

w ou n d e d h e r lip V e ro n ic a wh o wa s o n l y gri e v e d
.
,

on a cc o u n t o f th e sc a n d al thus giv e n an d t h e e x c o m ,

m u n i c ati on wh ic h t h e n ovic e h e r e b y i n cu rr e d s e t ,

h e rs e lf t o p e t i tio n o u r L o rd so e ar n e s tl y fo r h e r
r e p e n tan c e that sh e s h e d t e ar s o f bl o o d a s m an y ,

e ye w i t n e ss e s d e p os e d
-
Th e t r a nsgr e ss o r did r ep e n t
.
 2 40 s . VE R ON I CA GI ULI AN I .

for th e t im e b e i n g 3 bu t a s s h e did n o t s t rik e at th e

r o o t of h e r n atu ra l ill t e mp e r sh e o n an o th e r occ a sio n
-
,

gri e vousl y i n sul t e d Ve r o n ic a wh o was abb e ss whi l e , ,

sh e wa s co o k A n o l d l ab o u r e r c a m e t o t h e mo n a s
.

t ery an d i t was t h e du ty o f t h e cook t o g i ve h im h is

,

fo o d . Th e h o l y abb e ss n o t s e e i n g th is do n e as usu al
, ,

an d b e i n g m o v e d w i th c o mp a ssi o n fo r th e p o o r
c o u n trym an w e n t i n t o th e ki t ch e n t o a dmi n is t e r a mild
,

r e p rim an d f o r h e r fo rg e t fuln e ss or dil at o ri n e ss wh ich ,

e v e r i t might b e B u t a s t h e sis t e r c o n t r a dic t e d h e r

.
,

Ve ro n ic a b e i n g an xi o us t o cu t s h o r t th e co n fe r e n c e
, ,

s aid No w m ak e ha s t e an d gi v e hi m this takin g

,

, , ,

up t h e br e a d an d a kn ife w ith whic h sh e was t o h e lp

,

t h e poor m an Bu t t h e c o o k gr e w e xc e ssiv e l y an gry

.
,

an d g av e h e r abb e ss suc h a v e h e m e n t pus h that if ,

sh e h ad n o t b e e n c a ug ht b y t h e b y s ta n d e r s sh e mus t

hav e fall e n at o n th e gro u n d Th e y w is h e d th e .

O ff e n d e r t o b e imm e di at e l y pu n is h e d as sh e d e s e rv e d , ,

bu t th e sup e rior w is e l y an d p r ud e n tl y w o uld say

n o th i n g th e n b e c a us e sh e w a s awa r e that co r r e c t io n i s
,

us e l e ss an d e v e n i nju r i ou s wh il e t h e p e r s o n o n wh o m
i t is i n ict e d is i n th e h e at of p a ssi o n S o wh e n the .

r e ligi o us pr e ss e d h e r t o imp o s e d u e p e n an c e o n t h e
culpri t sh e c almly r e pli e d
,
W e mus t hav e p ati e n c e
, .

I a m o n l y displ e a s e d o n accou n t of t h e sin again s t

God . Sh e c o n duc t e d h e rs e lf w ith t h e s a m e tra n quil
l ity i n th e r s t c ha p t e r wh ic h sh e h e ld 3 an d t h e
r e war d o f h er mod e rat io n w as th e c o n tri ti o n of th e
guilty p e r s o n wh o wa s ll e d w ith sham e an d m a d e
, ,

d u e s at isfa c t i on t o th e c o mmu n i ty a ft e r wh ic h sh e ,

wat ch e d b e tt e r o ve r h e rs e lf an d liv e d an d di e d a v e ry
,

g o o d r e ligi o us .

Simil ar t o t h e abov e are th e follo wi n g c a s e s wh ic h ,

w e s ha ll r e l at e i n t h e w ords of Sis t e r M ar y Jo an n a
 2 42 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL I AN I .

f aul t s c am e r o und sh e did n o t fail t o do so b u t in th e ,

mos t charitabl e way .

An o th e r t im e th e s am e i n dividu al wa s r e buk e d b y
th e S ai n t fo r h e r c ar e l e ss n e ss i n a r ran gi n g th e usu a l
crib of th e N at ivi ty i n o u r ch o i r Sh e han dl e d th e .

gur e s so c ar e l e ssl y that sh e k n ock e d o ff a n g e r fro m

the s tatu e tt e of S Jo s e ph an d br o k e a c an dl e wh ic h
.
,

w e ighe d s e v e n or e ight poun ds Th e a dm o n i t i o n

.

whic h sh e r e c e ive d wa s g e n tl y and prud e n tl y w o rd e d ,

bu t sh e g av e a proud an d imp at i e n t a n s we r O ur .
:

S ain t bor e i t w i th p ati e nc e a nd m e r e l y g av e h e r a

,

c ha ritabl e corr e c t ion at th e e n sui n g cha p t e r i n wh ic h ,

sh e ha d t o pu t up with i n sul t i n g co n duc t n o t o n l y ,

from h er b u t fr om ano th e r o f th e th r e e ill dispos e d

,

sis ters wh ic h th e commun i ty co n tai n e d i n m y t im e .

O ur s ai n t l y abb e ss i n qu ality of h e r o ffi c e cor

, ,

re ct e d the m w i th t h e u t mos t ki n d n e s s rmn e s s , ,

an d l ov e ,
whic h s e e m e d t o i n cr e a s e i n p r op o r t i o n
t o th e ir p e rve r s en e ss Sh e pr ay e d an d go t o th e rs
.

t o pr ay fo r th e m an d impos e d on h e rs e lf v ari o u s
,

p en an c e s as I hav e heard fr o m th o s e nu n s wh o
,

w e re h e r c on d an ts T he d e lin qu e n t s w e r e br o u gh t
.

t o th e i r s en s e s an d a ck n o wl e dg e d th e gr e at Vi rt u e
,

of th e s e r v an t o f G o d b y wh o m th o s e wh o di e d b e
,

for e h e r d e si r e d t o b e sp e ci ally a ssis t e d i n th e ir ill n e ss

and d e ath . A s soo n a s i t b e c am e k n o w n i n t h e
mon a ste ry that th e S ai n t h ad r e c e ive d th e s t igm at a ,

so m e o f th e nun s wh o did n o t lik e h e r s t irr e d up a

p e rs e cu t i o n ag ain s t h e r sl and e r o usl y af r min g that
,

th e y wer e o n l y app e aran c e s an d that sh e ha d a r t ,

full y con t riv e d t o imprin t th e m o n h e rs e lf The y .

s ai d th is e v en in h e r pr e s e n c e an d o n e of ,
the m
d e cl ar e d that sh e w o uld b e l o s t fo r e v e r if sh e c o n
t inn e d t o m ain ta in the s e app e aran c e s an d p e rsis t in ,
 s . VE R ON I CA GI ULI AN I . 2 43

h er hyp o c ri sy for suc h sh e d e e m e d h er life t o b e

, .

Wh e n Bish o p E ustachj c am e t o b e i n fo rm e d o f th is
e v e n t h e pr e s e n t e d h ims e lf at th e gr at e an d c al li n g
, ,
'

t h e s ai n t l y s e r va n t of G o d w i th o ur m o th e r abb e s s

! wh o mus t ha v e b e e n e i the r G u e rri n i or S al a ri

) h e ,

bl am e d h e r s e v e r e ly and s h o w e d e ve ry m ark of con

,

temp t .

Th e pr e s e n t is a g o od opp o r t u n i ty for a dducin g

s om e i n s ta n c e s of h e r in vi n cibl e an d e x emp lary
p at i e n c e an d tran quilli ty duri n g t h e t ri als wh ic h sh e '

ha d t o e n cou n t e r from h e r su p e ri o rs fo r th e purpos e

of t e s t in g h e r spiri t W e m ay b e all o w e d t o r e m ark
.

that a s i n the c as e of th os e p at i e n t s wh o hav e s t ro n g

co n s t i t u ti o n s a p hy sici an is all o we d t o a dop t v e ry
s tro n g r e m e di e s so the s e v e re tri a ls r e sort e d t o b y
,

he r sup e ri o rs c a n n o t b e c all e d e x trav ag an t or ind i s

c re e t s e e in g that they ha d pr o o fs of t h e s t r e n gth o f
,

h e r Vir t u e Wh e n Ve ro n ic a r e c e ive d on the 5 th o f

.
,

A pril 1 6 9 7 t h e r a re an d pr e cious gift of the s a cr e d

, ,

s t igm ata Bis h o p E u stachj consid e r e d i t h is du ty t o

,

a ppl y t o th e s a cr e d t ri bu n a l of th e I n q uisi tio n at

R o m e f o r dir e c t ions a s t o the cours e h e s h oul d pur
,

su e . At t h e s a m e ti m e h e i n form e d th e ir e min e n c es
th e c a rdi n als of th e mor al q u ali t i e s of Ve ronic a
,
In .

c o n formi ty wi th th e i n s t ruc t i o n s wh ic h c am e fro m

R om e t o a sc e rtai n an y illusi o n or hypocris y ther e
,

might b e h e did h is b e s t t o t ry h e r p at i e n c e h umility

, , ,

an d o b e di e n c e a s th e s e are the undoub te d char a c

,

t e ri sti c s of a right spiri t His rs t s t e p wa s t o d epos e

.

h er from h e r o ffi c e a s mis t r e ss o f n ovi c e s ; he

also d e priv e d h er of h e r a c t iv e an d p a ssiv e vo te a nd ,

c all e d h e r e xc o mmunic at e d and a sorc e r e ss i n a voic e

, ,

s o loud that i t r e sou n d e d fr om t h e g rat e t o t h e cor

rid o rs o f t h e nuns 3 h e thr e at e n e d a ls o t o ha v e her

16
2
2 44 s . VERON I CA GI ULIANI .

burn t in th e middl e of th e cl o is t e r T h e n h e c aus e d

.

h e r t o b e c o n n e d i n a roo m of the i n rm ary ,

fo rbiddin g h e r t o writ e to an y o n e e xc e p ti n g t o h er
s is te rs ,
wh o w e re r e ligious at M e r c at e ll o a nd th os e ,

l ett e rs sh e wa s rs t t o s h o w t o th e abb e ss H e al so .

pro hibi t e d h e r fr o m e ve r e n t e rin g the p ar lour T he n .

h e forb a d e h e r t o com e t o t h e c h o ir e i th e r f or M a ss
or th e di vi ne Oi c e e xc e p t in g o n fe a s t d ay s an d th e n
, ,

no farth e r than th e thre s h old ap art fr o m th e r e s t

,

a s th ough sh e w e r e u n d e r e xcommunic at io n at ,

t e nd e d b y th e l ay sis t e r F r a nc e s wh o wa s t o ,

re conduc t
-
her t o h e r prison S he wa s n o t
.

a llo w e d t o sp e ak t o an y of th e o th e r n u n s wh o ,

were dir e c t e d t o t r eat h er with t h e u t mos t rig o ur

a s a hypocr it e an d a d e c e ive r Sh e wa s d ep riv e d
.

fo r th is p eri o d of h o l y C o mmu n io n an d t h e t im e ,

sh e might sp e n d at t h e c o n fe ssi o n a l wa s t o b e re

st ri c t e d b y t h e abb e ss . B e sid e s all th is t h e bis h o p,

c ause d h e r my s t e rious w o u n ds t o b e m e dic ally tr e at e d ;

an d ,
a s if h e susp e c t e d imp o s t ur e h e ha d t h e glov e s
,

whic h w e r e us e d s e a l e d e v e ry t im e w ith th e e pis

cop al s e al In s t e a d o f g e tti n g b e tt e r s w e lli n gs ar o s e
.
,

round th e m so that i t b e c am e n e c e ss ary t o b ath e th e m

,

with ros e wat e r as we n d from t h e l e tt e r o f th e

,

bish op t o t h e s e cr e tary o f t h e H o l y O fc e at R o m e ,

d at e d th e 29th of Augus t .

T h e s e app o in t m e n t s of Provid e n c e mus t ha v e b e e n

n o t o n l y dis tr e ssi n g t o h e r n at u r e bu t g r e at t ri a ls of
,

h e r V ir tu e d e p r iv e d as sh e wa s o f t h e s a cr am e n t s
,
,

an d th e o th e r privil e g e s o f r e ligi o n
3 an d y e t t h e
follo win g t e s tim o n y o f Sis t e r M aggi e is full y bo rn e
ou t b y o th e r w itn e ss e s . Wh il e th e v e n e rabl e Sis t e r
V e ronic a wa s i n this c o n di t io n ab a n d o n e d a s i t w e re
,

b y al l b o th w i th ou t an d w i th in t h e c o n v e n t a n d
,
,
2 46 s . VE RON I C A GIUL IAN I .

We h av e m e n t io n e d th e hars h m e a sur e s wh ic h
n ot

w e r e a dop t e d t o war ds h e r b y a c e rta i n abb e ss at th e ,

ins t igat io n pr o b abl y o f Bis h o p Eu stac hj i n t h e y e a r

, , ,

1 695 . No t b e i n g s at is e d a s t o t h e o rd e r wh ic h
Ve ron ic a ha d r e c e iv e d fr o m God t o k e e p that rigo r o u s
fa s t of whic h t h e p ar ticul ars are give n i n th e fth
,

c hap t e r o f th e s e c o n d b o o k h e attr ibu t e d t o affe c ta

,
.

t io n t h e vi o l e n t r e p u gn an c e wh ic h c aus e d h e r t o r ej e c t
e v e ry ki n d o f fo o d I n fa c t h e r ath e r susp e c t e d that
.
, ,

a s s om e m al e v o l e n t p e r s o n d e cl are d sh e w as i n th e ,

habi t o f eatin g wh e n sh e pl e a s e d i n s e cre t Th e .

d e vil c o n triv e d b y fals e app e ar a n c e s t o supp o r t th i s

, ,

id e a S o the bis h op w r o t e t o th e abb e ss dire c t in g

.
,

h e r t o s h u t up Ve r o n ic a i n a c e ll b e l o n gi n g t o t h e i n
rmary an d t o pu t s o m e o n e t o wat c h h e r c o n
,

s t an tl
y 3 also t o giv e h er n o th i n g t o e at bu t m e at and
bro th Th e sup e ri o r r e c e iv e d th e s e o rd e r s wh il e
.

sh e was s ay i n g Ofc e i n t h e c h oi r w i th t h e o th e r
n uns an d V e r o n ic a t o o wa s i n h e r s ta ll
, , ,
No soo n e r .

h ad t h e abb e ss gl an c e d at t h e bis h o p s n o t e tha n

sh e st e pp e d t h e ofc e a n d t urn i n g t o V e r o n ic a ,
, ,

w ith a n i n dign an t an d c o mm andin g t o n e e xcl aim e d , ,

To t h e i n rm ary T o t h e i n rm ary S h e th e n
d rov e o ur S a i n t fr o m t h e c h o ir a s o n e u n w o r thy
t o r e m ain th e re an d con n e d h e r i n t h e app o in t e d
,

c e ll c ausin g o n e o f th e l ay sis t e rs t o b e ar h e r com

,

p a ny . T h e r e ligi o us wh o w e r e p r e s e n t d e cl a r e that
Ve r on ic a w e n t o ff imm e di at e ly w i th o u t an y sign ,

o f b e i n g t r o ubl e d an d r e m a i n e d i n h er pris o n fo r fty

,

d ay s w i th th e g r e at e s t ch e e r ful n e ss .

I n our opi n i o n h o w e v e r th e tr i als wh ic h sh e h ad

, ,

t o e nc o u n t e r fr o m t h e J e sui t Fath e r C riv e lli i n 1 7 1 4

,

m us t ha v e b e e n s t ill m o r e p ain ful no t o n l y b e c a us e ,

he r spirit ha d b e e n th orough ly t e s t e d i n m an y ways

 s . VE R O N I CA G I U LI AN I . 2 47

duri ng th e pr e vious y e ar bu t b e c aus e sh e su ffe r e d

,

from o n e of wh os e m e ri t sh e ha d b e e n a ssur e d by
our Bl e ss e d L a d y on t h e occ a sion o f he r rs t s ee in g
h im That c e l e b rat e d mission a ry a rr iv e d at C itt a d i
.

C a s t e ll o i n t h e ab o v e n a m e d y e a r a nd wa s e mp l o ye d
-
,

b y Bis h op Eusta chj t o try th e spirit of our S ai n t s till

.

fur th e r al th o ugh that pr e late ha d b e e n al r ea d y

,

e n lig ht e n e d a s t o h e r gr e at vir t u e in t h e m atte r of

t h e fa s t a s w e ll a s in that of th e s tigm ata

,
Y et as .

t h e e x trao rdi n ary f e atu re s of he r life we n t on mult i

ply in g he appoin t e d the J e su it he r e xt ra ordin ar y
,

co n fe ssor an d c o n fe rr e d ful l po we rs upo n h im

, .

Fathe r C riv e lli a v ail e d hi ms e l f of th is a u th o ri ty and ,

havin g dul y go t u p th e c a s e b eg a n b y pu ttin g h e r t o,

t h e s e v e r e s t p o ssibl e t e s t s A t th e ir v e ry rs t i n t e r
.

vi e w h e t r e at e d he r a s a sorc e r e ss an d a hyp o cri t e ,

a n d c al l e d h e r so r e p e at e dl y at th e gr at e On e d ay .
,

wh e n sh e was in h e r s tall w ith t h e r e s t l is t e n in g t o ,

t h e s e rmon h e o blig e d h e r t o com e o u t in t o t h e middl e

,

of th e ch o ir an d sit o n th e oor a s b e i n g u n w o r thy ,

of taki n g h e r s e at w i th th e m I n ord e r t o pu t h e r .

t o s ha m e b e fo r e th e m a ll h e c all e d t o h e r i n a loud
,

V o ic e Wh e r e is sh e ! L e t h e r com e an d sit on t h e
,

oo r . Sh e did s o dir e c tl y w i th ou t b e i n g dis qui e t e d
, ,

a nd aft e r war ds sh e than k e d h im gr at e full y for what

h e ha d d o n e At th is t im e sh e wa s a s muc h a s fty
.

fo ur y e ars o f age th ir ty s e v e n o f wh ich sh e ha d sp en t

,
-

i n r e ligio n an d ,
t we n ty a s mis tr e ss of n ovic e s .

Fath e r C riv e ll i d e pos e s that o n e d ay h e a ssum e d a c o n

d e n t i al a ir an d t o ld h e r that sh e wa s lik e l y t o b e
,

s c o u rg e d an d bu r n t a liv e a s a w i t c h a n d a hy p o c r i t e
,

an d s ay s I fou n d h e r so h umbl e an d r e sign e d t o b e
,

t ak e n for such that t o t e l l th e t ru th I w ond e r e d

, , ,

e xc e e din gl y Th e mor e I e n d e a vour e d t o m o r tify

.
2 48 s . VE R ON I CA GIUL IAN I .

her by m e an s o f h ar s h w o r d s tau n t s an d th r e at s
, , ,

t h e mor e did sh e h umbl e h e rs e lf Th e fo llo w in g

.

w e r e t h e p r e cis e w o r d s sh e us e d : I w o uld n o t

willi n gly b e a s o r c e r e ss 3 bu t if y o u r r e v e r e nc e k n o w s
that I a m i n th e han ds o f t h e d e vil b e pl e a s e d t o
'

,

d e liv e r m e fr o m th e m fo r th e lov e o f J e sus Chris t .

Fro m w o r ds h e pr o c e e d e d t o a c ti o n s H e fo rb a d e .

h e r t o sp e ak o r w ri t e t o an y o n e ou t o f th e e s tablis h
m en t an d appoin t e d th e l ay sis t e r Fr an c e s t o b e
,

h e r sup e ri o r wh o m sh e wa s t o o b e y i n e v e ryth i n g
,
.

H e oblig e d th e s a id Sis t e r Fra nc e s t o t r e at h e r i n a

m an n e r wh ic h wa s at o n c e rud e a nd imp e rious 3
givi n g h e r n o w o n e kin d o f o ccu p ation an d n o w an
o th e r Ve r o n ic a yi e ld e d th e m os t promp t submission
.

t o e ve ry b e ck an d c all an d m ai n ta in e d th e s am e
,

equ an im ity an d s we e t n e ss o f t e mp e r durin g th e tw o

m o n th s wh ic h th is tri a l l a ste d T h e n h e g av e h e r
.

an o th e r o f a diffe r e n t ki n d H e k n e w that th e r e wa s
.

a sm all cl o s e t in th e in rm ary wh ich wa s d ark an d

u n us e d th e habitat i o n o f spid e rs an d o th e r ins e c t s
, .

H e ord e r e d V e r o n ic a t o occ u p y i t i n s t e a d of h e r
c e ll wh ic h was t o o g o od fo r h er ; an d i n s t e a d o f
,

havin g i t s w e p t o ut r s t sh e was t o kn e e l do w n an d
,

cl e an th e o or w i th h e r t o n gu e an d th e n s tan d u p
,

an d d o th e s am e t o t h e walls Sh e fulll e d th is i n
.

junct io n w ith t h e u t mos t c alm n e ss 3 an d fur th e rmor e ,

con triv e d w ith th e a ssis tan c e o f a fo o t s t ool t o appl y

, ,

a simil a r pr o c e ss t o th e c e ili n g s wallo w in g b o th

,

spid e rs an d c o b w e bs a s th o u gh th e y ha d b e e n th e
m o s t d a in ty vi an ds Th e n u n s r e p o r t e d th is t o Fathe r
.

C rive lli wh o s e n t f o r h e r an d c o n c e alin g th e hig h

, , ,

e s t im at i o n wh ic h h e ha d fo rm e d of h e r vi rt u e sc o ld e d ,

h e r and c all e d h e r s tupid fo r h av i n g mi su n d e rs t ood

,

h is ord e rs . Sh e qui e t ly r e pli e d that suc h food did

25 0 s . VE R ON I CA GI ULIAN I .

th e d e ath of Bis h o p E u s t ac hj w as a,ppoi n t e d a mis

i
s oner o f t h e ci ty b y t h e fath e r g e n e ra l a nd was ,

a dmi tt e d t o an a udi e n c e b y th e illus trious Pop e

C l e m e n t XI B y th e e n comium s w h ic h h e th e n d e li
.

v e r e d o n th e s an c tity o f Ve r o n ic a h e o b tain e d fr om th e
,

H o ly Ofc e p e rmissi o n f o r h e r e l e c t i o n a s abb e ss Sh e .

wa s th e r e fo r e u n an im o us l y ch os e n t o ll tha t o ffic e
, , ,

w h ic h sh e r e tain e d t ill h e r d e ath w i th t h e s anc t ion

,

o f t h e S a c r e d C o n g r e g at i o n o f bis h o ps an d r e gul ars ,

wh o p e rmi tt e d h e r re e l e c t i o n for th r e e succ e ssiv e

t e rms of a s m an y y e ars .

C H AP T ER VI .

H ER W ON D E RF UL H UM I L I TY .

O BED IE NCE an d humility w e r e th e t wo pre d o m i

n an t virtu e s o f o ur m o th e r Sis t e r Ve r o n ic a an d
, ,

co n s t it u t e d t h e b a sis o f h e r e x a l t e d s an c tity Suc h .

i s t h e d e cl arat i o n o f Fath e r Giov a n n i M ar i a C riv e lli .

A m o ngs t all t h e w i tn e ss e s wh o d e pos e d t o t h e h e r o ic

Virt u e s of o u r S a i n t t h e a u th o rity o f th is illus trious
,

missi o n e r is p e culi arl y imp o r tan t 3 n o t o n l y o n a cc o u n t

o f t h e z e a l for s o uls wh ic h h e e vi n c e d i n d e v o t in g hi s

wh o l e life t o m issi o n ary l ab o urs an d h is skill i n t h e

,

d isc e r n m e n t o f spi ri t s bu t s t ill m o r e o n a ccou n t o f

,

h is b e in g app o in t e d b y t h e bish o p fo r th e pu rp o s e
of e xami n in g Ve r o n ic a an d pu tt in g h e r t o m an y
,

s e v e r e an d s at isfa c t o ry t e s t s du r i n g fo ur c o n s e cu t iv e

y e ar s wh ich n o o n e e ls e ha d th e Opp o rt u n i ty o f d o in g
, .

T hrough o u t t h e wh ol e of th e proc e ss o f i n fo rm at ion ,

we c an nd no d e pos it ion mor e m i nu te an d circum

 s . VE R O N I CA G IUL I AN I . 25 1

s tan tial than that whic h con tain s h is e x amin at i o n

from th e 1 4th of Jul y t o t h e 1 6th of A ugus t 1 7 2 8 , ,

in th e pr e s e n c e of Bis h o p C o d e bo of t h e sc al pro ,

m o t e r L or e n z o Sm irli M o ri an d the episcop al cha n

, ,

c e ll or Dom e n ico Fa bbri o n abou t tw o h undr e d an d

, ,

fty poin t s Fath e r C rive lli ha d b ee n s h o wn t o Ve

.

r o n ic a u n d e r h is n at ur a l fo rm s e v e r a l yea rs pr e ,

vi o u sl y b y J e sus Chris t wh o t old h e r that h e w o uld

, ,

o n e d ay m a k e t ri a l of h e r spiri t I n th e y e a r 1 7 1 4 .
,

wh e n h e rs t c am e t o C i tt a di Ca s t e ll o and e n t e r e d
t h e c h urc h of t h e Capuch in nuns t o pr ay sh e s aw h im ,

ag a i n . S h e wa s at that t im e i n th e confe ssion a l o f

Fath e r T a ssin ari s o that sh e could n o t ha v e s e e n
,

h im b y n at ur al m e an s 3 bu t th e mos t h ol y M ary re n
d e r e d h im Visibl e t o h e r so th at sh e wa s abl e t o ,

d e scrib e h i m t o t h e am az e m e n t o f h e r confe ssor an d

,

t h e n u n s wh o k n e w no th i n g ab o u t i t
,
Sh e d e cl ar e d .

more ov e r th e obj e c t of h is c o min g an d th e g o o d that ,

w o uld r e sul t t o h e r soul To h im also sh e pre dic t e d.

m an y th i n gs an d discl o s e d h e r kno wl e dg e of h is
,

i n t e ri o r s e cr e t s as h e h ims e lf t e ll s us
,
At h is re .

q u e s t
,
s h e ob ta i n e d t h e d e liv e r a n c e o f the souls o f
h is fath e r m o th e r a nd u ncl e from purgat o ry
, , ,
.

V e r o n ic a havi n g e xpr e ss e d a d e sir e that h e s h ould

a ssis t h e r at h e r d e ath h e pro mi s e d t o do so if
, ,
'

possibl e At t h e t im e o f h e r l a s t ill n e s s h e wa s
.

e x t r a ordin ary c o n fe ssor t o t h e Ca puch i n nu n s of Mo n t e

Ca s t e lli havin g b e e n s e n t th e r e b y Monsign o r

,

Gu al t i e ri Bish o p of T o di 3 bu t i t s ee ms that
,

n o t ic e was s e n t h im i n th e fo ll o win g way H e .

o ccupi e d th e ap a r tm e n t s of th e o rdin ary dir e c t o r ,

i n wh ic h han gs a b e ll comm u n ic at i n g b y m e an s , ,

of a r o p e , w ith t h e mo n a s t e ry s o that th e n u n s c a n ,

ri n g i t i n c a s e of n e c e ssi ty On t h e e v e n in g of t h e
.
25 2 s . VE R O N I CA GI ULI AN I .

30th Ju n e ,
b o u t 4 o cl o ck at n ight h e h e ard this b e ll
a

,

ri n g . H e an d h is c o mp an i o n lis t e n e d t o h e a r if i t
w o uld s o u n d ag ai n bu t a s i t did n o t h e did no t answ e r
, ,

i t Th e n e xt m o rn i n g h e a sk e d th e abb e ss why th e b e ll
.

ha d ru n g an d what ha d happ e n e d
,
S h e r e pli e d that .

n o th in g ha d happ e n e d an d that i t wa s imp o ssibl e

,

that an y o n e c o uld hav e ru n g i t b e c a us e t h e roo m ,

w h e r e t h e cord wa s ha d b e e n l o ck e d and sh e ,

al way s k e p t th e k e y s h e rs e lf: Ano th e r e v e nin g at ,

t h e s am e h o ur h e h e a rd i t a g a i n a s al so o n t h e 9th
, ,

o f Jul y 3 bu t o n i n quiri n g t h e r e a son t h e s a m e an s we r

w as i n v ari abl y r e t urn e d b y th e abb e ss At l e ngth .

th e n ew s c am e that V e ro n ic a wa s d e a d an d h e u n d e r ,

s t o od that the s e ha d b e e n h e r summo n s th e rs t

c o rr e spondin g w ith h e r i n cr e a s e d d an g e r t e n d ays ,

b e fo r e sh e di e d th e s e c o nd t o give warn in g of he r
,

appro a ch in g d e c e a s e an d th e th ird t o i n form h im o f

,

h e r d e ath wh ic h t o o k pl a c e abou t 7 O cl o ck in th e

,

e v e n i n g o n t h e 9th o f Jul y .

W e h e ard th e foll o wi n g i n cid e n t fr o m o n e wh o ha d

i t fr o m h is o wn lips Fath e r C rive lli ha d tak e n fr o m
.

Ve r o n ic a s c e ll a l arg e w o o d e n cr o ss wh ic h h e a l ways ,
"
c arr i e d ab o u t w i th h im a nd co n v e y e d t o th e Je su it s,

C oll e g e at Tivo li wh e r e at a n adv a n c e d age h e di e d

, , ,

i n t h e o d o u r of s an c t i ty H e us e d t o say that wh e n .

th is cro ss sh o uld br e ak i t wo uld b e an i n t im at io n that

,
.

h is d e p artu r e wa s at han d for that t h e v e n e rabl e Sis t e r ,

V e r o n ic a ha d t old h im so It was s e cur e l y atta c h e d .

t o th e wall o f his r o o m at t h e c o ll e g e wh e n o n e d ay , ,

w ith ou t any app ar e n t c a us e i t fe ll d o w n an d brok e ,

.

T h e n th e g o od old m a n s aid that h e ha d bu t f e w

d ay s t o live an d h is w ord s w e r e v e ri e d W e
, .

t rus t th e r e ad e r w ill fo rgiv e u s fo r th is bri e f b u t ,

n o t i r r e l e v an t digr e ssi o n It m ay s e rv e t o e n light e n

, .
25 4 s . VER ON I CA G IUL I AN I .

Th e l ay sis t e r Gi a ci n ta h e r sp e ci al

chan ge m y life . ,

cond an t atte s t s that sh e wa s c o n s tan t l y b e gging
,

e v e ry o n e t o pr ay t o o ur L o rd f or h e r c o nv e rsio n an d ,

for t h e s alvati o n of h e r s o ul Sh e did th is with such

.

fe rvour an d e arn e s t n e ss that yo u w ould hav e th ought

h e r h e ar t wa s burs t i n g I r e c o ll e c t that o n e d ay o ur
.

c o n fe ss o r Fath e r Ub aldo An t o n io Capp e ll e tt i t o ld

, ,

m e that sh e ha d so h ad an o pi n i o n o f h e rs e lf that ,

sh e wa s a fraid of a ssoci at in g w i th t h e o th e r r e li
gion s for fe ar o f con tami n at in g th e m It wa s e vi d e n t .

that sh e co n sid e re d he rs e lf as a b e in g so v e r y vil e

an d abj e c t amo n g us al l that sh e s e e m e d a s ha m e d
,

t o s h o w h e r fa c e a s I hav e fr e qu e n tl y o bs e rv e d
, .

Fath e r Capp e ll e tt i i n hi s diary e xpr e ss e s h ims e lf in

, ,

the fo ll o wi n g cl e ar a nd e n e rg e t ic w o rds : Sh e fe lt
r e ad y t o d ie of gri e f e v e ry t im e that God g av e h e r
that i n tim at e k n o wl e dge o f in gr at it ud e an d sin .

I f sh e could hav e h idd e n h e rs e lf in th e v e ry

d e p th s of hell sh e w ould hav e r e a dil y don e s o
, .

T his ll e d h e r w ith suc h an i n t im at e k n o w l e dg e of

h e rs e lf that sh e w ould fain hav e c o n c e al e d h e rs e lf

,

i n th e in n e rm o s t c e n tr e o f t h e gl o b e so a s n e y e r ,

ag ain t o b e h old cr e at ur e s an d t o pr e s e rv e th e m from

,

b e h oldi n g h e r an d b e in g poll ut e d a nd poison e d

,

by comin g in t o c o n ta c t w i th h e r Sh e w ish e d that .

al l w ould driv e h e r from th e m a nd d e spis e h er as sh e ,

d e s e rv e d
.

Th e frui t s of th is lo w s e lf e s tim at io n di d no t c o n
-

sis t m e r e ly i n s ay in g disp ar agin g th in gs o f h e rs e lf ,

bu t what wa s of m o re con s e qu e n c e in a t o tal abs e n c e

, ,

of r e s e n t m e n t un d e r con t um e liou s t r e at m e n t On .

t h e co n t r a ry as Fath e r C riv e lli an d o th e rs afrm

, ,

wh o e v e r d e sp is e d h er fe ll i n w i th h e r wi s he s An .

ins tan c e of this m ay b e found in th e ten th

 s . VE R ON I CA G IULIAN I . 25 5

c hap t e r o f th e r s t book whe n i t w as r e l at e d that ,

sh e us e d t o o blig e h e r n o vic e s t o tr e a d o n h e r lip s .

Wh e n sh e b e c a m e abb e ss sh e did n o t c e a s e from th e

,

mos t m e n i al e m pl o ym e n t s or fr o m wai t in g on th e lay,

sis t e rs .

It w ill no t b e ou t of pl a c e t o p o i n t o u t h e r e t h e
h umility wh ic h sh e s h ow e d i n d e cli n i n g t h e dign i ty
of abb e ss Fath e r Cr iv e lli b e i n g th o rough l y c o n
.
,
~

vi n c e d o f t h e s a n c ti ty of V e ro n ic a a ft e r t h e t ri al s

wh ich ha v e b e e n a l r e a d y r e l at e d b e li e v e d that i t ,

w ould b e o f t h e h igh e s t a dv an tag e t o t h e c o n v e n t if

th e susp e n si o n of t h e H o l y O fc e c o uld b e w i th d rawn ,

an d sh e w e r e t o b e e l e c t e d abb e ss H e co n sul t e d .

th e Ab at e Gi a c o mo L o m e l l in i t h e c o m p an i o n o f h i s ,

missi o n s an d Bis h op E u st achj b o th of wh o m agr e e d

, ,

w i th h im On e m o rn i n g
. i n th e s am e y e a r , ,

1 7 1 4 a ft e r c e l e br at i n g M a ss i n
,
th e c h urc h o f
t h e c o nv e n t h e w e n t i n t o t h e co n fe ssion a l wh e r e
, ,

h e fou n d V e ro n ic a plu n g e d i n th e d e e p e s t al i c ti o n

.

S h e implor e d an d c o n jur e d h im fo r th e l o v e o f G o d
t o sp ar e h e r t h e cr o ss wh ic h h e ha d i n h is mi n d
for h e r Fath e r C rive lli wh o r e all y did n o t k n o w
.
,

what sh e m e a n t n o t ha vin g th e l e a s t id e a that she

,

ha d ha d a Visi o n ha s t il y r e pli e d that h e c o uld n o t t e ll

,

wh e th e r sh e wa s d r e ami n g or w h at cross sh e wa s ,

talkin g abou t Sh e th e n t o ld h im that wh il e sh e ha d

.

b e e n a ssis t in g at M a ss S Fr ancis Xavi e r ha d a pp e ar e d

,
.

t o he r wi th a h e av y cross on h is s h o uld e r an d ha d ,

inform e d h e r that Fath e r C riv e lli wa s ab o u t t o l ay

th at cross on h e r in th e o ffic e of abb e ss wh ic h ,

h e d e s t i n e d fo r h e r T his Vi sion wa s r e p e at e d o n
.

th e tw o fo ll o wi n g mor n i n gs Th e good Fath e r wa s .

in r e ali ty am az e d 3 bu t prud e n tl y c o n c e ali n g h is

a s t onis h m e n t fo r th e purp o s e of t e s t i n g h e r spiri t he
, ,
25 6 s . VE RON I CA GIULI AN I .

b e gan t o sc o ld h e r and c all h e r m a d fo r suppos in g that

h e ha d an y th o ug ht s o f m a ki n g h e r abb e ss wh e r e a s ,

h e did
n o t c o n sid e r h e r c a p abl e of g o v e rni n g a s e t

o f he n s .

Ve r o n ic a smil e d an d m o d e s t l y r e pli e d that
th e r e wa s n o o cc a sio n t o d e n y it fo r tha t sh e k n e w ,

an d saw h o w i t wa s On th e m o r n i n g o f th e th ird
.

d ay sh e fur th e r mor e s tat e d that sh e ha d s e e n th e

s am e cross m a ki n g t h e ci r cl e of t h e c h o ir u n t il i t c am e

t o th e s tall of t h e abb e ss wh e r e i t s t opp e d

,
Th e fa c t .

wa s that n o t o n l y did Fath e r C riv e lli thi n k of g e tt in g

,

h e r app o i n t e d t o that o fc e bu t h e pu t h is th o ught in

,

e x e cu t i o n f o r i n 1 7 1 6
,
a s w e ha v e a lr e a dy s e e n h e
, ,

ob tai n e d fr o m t h e P o p e that t h e susp e n si o n s ho uld

b e wi th d rawn b y t h e H o l y O fc e an d that sh e s h ould,

b e e l e vat e d t o th e r an k of abb e ss Bu t t h e lus tr e o f

.

so e x a l t e d a p o s t a l a rm e d V e r o n ic a s o muc h that sh e ,

fe ll o n h e r kn e e s an d implor e d th e bis h o p a s w e ll a s ,

t h e e n t ir e c hap t e r t o s av e th e co n v e n t from t h e ruin

,

that mus t e n su e fr om th e c h oic e of a sup e rior s o

wi cke d an d i n c ap abl e of promo t i n g e ith e r i t s spirit u a l
,

or t e mpora l w e lfar e . H e r h umili ty i n s t e a d of an,

s we ri n g he r purpos e ha d q uit e t h e o pp o sit e e ffe c t

, ,

sinc e i t only sh o w e d he r w or th an d t n e ss 3 an d in
th e e v e n t th e m o n a s t e ry wa s h er d e b t o r fo r i n cr e a s e d
a dv an tag e s i n th e way o f e n l a rg e d buildi n gs an d a d

d iti on al suppli e s of wat e r a s w e ll a s fo r t h e r e gu

,

l arity o f r e ligi o us obs e rv a n c e w h ic h i t n o w e nj o y s .

H e r m o d e o f g o v e rn m e n t wa s s o a bl e o w i n g r ath e r ,

t o th e il l II m i n ati o n sh e r e c e iv e d fr o m a bov e tha n t o ,

he r n at ur al tal e n t s that Mgr E u stachj s aid that

, .

sh e wa s t t o g o v e r n a w o rld an d that e v e ry o n e
,

s h ould hav e re cou r s e t o h e r i n th e m o s t diffic ul t

m atters 3 ye t sh e w ould n e v e r u n d e rta k e a n ythin g
with ou t th e a dvic e of o thers It i s t ru e that what
.
,
 25 8 s . VE R ON I CA GIULI AN I .

h er vi sions dr e ams a nd impr e ssion s of th e i m agi

fo r

n at io n
I m e n tion th is sh e wri t e s in the y e ar
.
,

1 695 ou t o f o b e di e n c e an d t o co n qu e r m y s elf bu t
, , ,

it r e all y s e e ms t o m e that I a m talki n g n o n s e n s e I .

d o n o t k n o w h o w t o wri t e a li n e pr o p e rl y Al l th e s e .

th ings s e e m t o m e t o b e d re ams an d m y o wn imagin ,

i n gs S h e us e s simil a r l a n gu age i n 1 6 9 7 an d i n t h e

.
,

fo llo w in g y e ar I n 1 7 03 sh e go e s s t il l furth e r
. I am

ne v e r co n d e n t sh e s ay s ,
bu t alway s in fe ar an d
,

t re mblin g l e s t th e s e th i n gs s h o uld b e d e vic e s o f the

d e vil 3 an d I t re at th e m w i th co n t e mp t e v e ry t im e that
th e y occur t o m e p ar ticul ar l y visio n s I r e l at e th e m
,
.

min u te ly no t b e c a us e I b e li e ve th e m bu t i n o rd e r th at
, ,

the mi n is t e r of G o d m ay kn o w e v e ryth i n g an d asce r ,

tai n if th e re b e an y d e mo n i a c a l illusi o n Sh e o n l y .

lik e d n arrat in g th os e Vi si o n s in wh ic h G o d ha d r e prove d

h e r fo r som e imp e rfe c t i o n Bu t i n a smuc h a s sh e could
.

n o t c o n c e a l th e gift o f th e s t igm at a fr o m g e n e r a l o b ser

v at i o n bu t wa s on t h e co n t rary o bl ig e d t o give all

, , ,

t h e e vid e n c e sh e could in proof o f i t sh e t ook c ar e t o ,

r e m ark that i t s o m e tim e s pl e a s e d G o d t o b e s t o w c er

ta in gr a c e s o n si n n e r s in ord e r t o e ffe c t th e ir con ve rsion ,

a ddi n g that that bl e ss e d r e sul t ha d n o t fo ll o w e d i n h e r

o wn c a s e S h e pr ay e d inc e ss an t l y that th o s e m arks of

.

h on o ur might b e w ithdr aw n o r at l e a s t th e e xt e rn al an d
,

v isibl e sc ars It wa s thr e e y e ars b e fo r e sh e o b tain e d

.

this bo o n an d it wa s n o t u n t il jus t b e fo r e h e r d e ath

,

t hat all tra c e s o f th e m w e r e re m o v e d H e r h umil i ty .

,

i n sh o rt was suc h a s w e d o n o t n d t o hav e b e e n s u r

,

p a ss e d in th e life of an y s ain t
. .
 s . VE R ON I CA GI UL IAN I . 25 9

C H APT ER VII .

H ER M I RAC U L OU s O E I E B D NC E .
l

W E no w com e t o the Vir t u e wh ic h is the p ar e n t

an d frui t fu l origi n of a ll o th e rs 3 for a s t h e illus t r i ous

Pop e an d D oc t or S Gr egory ha s r e m ark e d i t i s ob e di

.
,

e nc e a lon e wh ic h e ngr a ft s t h e wh ol e ci rcl e o f vi r t u e s

in th e soul pre s e rv e s th e m a nd t r ai n s th e m t o p e r
, ,

f e c t io n
. O b e di e n c e is t h e o ff sprin g o f h umili ty for ,

non e bu t th e t rul y h umbl e c a n subj e c t th e ir will an d

u n d e rs tan din g t o God and m an Th e o b e di e n c e of .

Ve ronic a wa s i n d e e d th e submissi o n of bo th in t e ll e c t
a nd will no t o n l y t o God bu t t o a ll His r e pr e s e n ta
, ,

t iv e s wh e th e r h e r sup e riors or spi r i t u al dir e c t ors

,
.

I t i s no t our i n t e n t i o n at pr e s e n t t o sp e a k o f that
ob e di e n c e wh ic h is p aid i m m e di at e l y t o God an d H is
divin e comm an dme n t s !th o ugh of th is we ha v e abu n
d an t e vid e nc e ) nor of h e r e xa c t o bs e rva n c e of t h e
,

pr e c e p t s of t h e C hurc h an d of h e r rul e n or o f he r ,

p erfe c t c o n fo rmi ty t o th e divin e W ill Al l t hi s .

c om e s u n d e r t h e vir t u e o f cha ri ty on wh ic h we ,

h av e spok e n e n ough al re ad y fo r n o o n e c an b e s aid , ,

t o l o v e G od wh o d o e s n o t Obs e rv e H is l aw an d
,

a c qui e sc e i n His Will ! e t w e c an n o t o mi t o n e

.

e x a mpl e of o b e di e n c e wh ic h c o m e s m o r e prop e rl y
u n d e r th is h e a d an d wh ic h i s tak e n fr om o n e o f h e r
,

writ in gs of th e y e ar 1 6 9 6 My L o r d sh e s ay s .
, ,

I d e sir e t o pl e ase Th e e an d t o a ccomplis h T hy
~

h ol y Will I f T h o u s e e s t O m y God that th e r e is

.
, ,

an yth in g of m y o w n c h o ic e i n th e s e d e si r e s tak e it ,

a way ,
rid m e o f i t Lord l e t thy Will b e
.
,

d o n e 3 I a m s at is e d t o b e i n t h e d ark an d t o b e ,

t r e at e d a s T h ou w il t Bu t I pro t e s t that wh e the r

.

T h ou shal t m an ife s t o r co n c e a l T hy s e lf fr om m e I ,

17
2
2 60 s . V E R ON I CA G I ULIAN I .

a l way s i n t e n d t o r e m ai n w i th T h e e No t co n t e n t .
2

wi th this d e cl arat i o n sh e sig n e d a c o n t ra c t t o that

,

e ff e c t w i th h e r o wn bl o o d .

Bu t th e ki n d o f Ob e die n c e w ith wh ic h w e ha v e
n ow t o d e al is that wh ic h sh e ren de re d to h er
fe llo w cre ature s a s t h e mi n is t e rs o f G o d T h is is th e
- .

gr e at e s t tri al t o h um an prid e an d i t wa s pra c t is e d b y ,

Ve ron ic a t o a m ira cul o us e x t e n t W e d o n o t m e an t o .

sp e a k m e r e l y o f th e a c t o f o b e di e n c e bu t of th e c o n ,

s e n t of th e u n d e rs ta n din g an d w ill I n ord e r t o d o .

th is with th e gre at e s t p o ssibl e p e rfe c t i o n sh e ha d i m ,

prin t e d o n h e r mi n d as h e r c o n fe ss o r Fath e r G u e l
, , ,

a ssur e s us th e fo llo w i n g m a xim

,
wh ic h sh e w ould ,

o ft e n r e p e at t o h e rs e lf a s i t w ould b e w e ll that a ll
,

o th e r p e rs o n s s h ould do wh o hav e bou n d th e ms e lv e s b y

th e v o w of ob e di e n c e : I f G o d i n p e rs o n w e r e com
m an din g m e to d o an yth in g sh ould I n o t run t o ob e y ,

Him ! No w th e oblig at i o n is th e s am e wh e th e r G o d ,

m ak e s k n o wn His Will dir e c t l y or th rough m y sup e ,

ri o rs His r e p r e s e n tat iv e s
,
! n o w i n g suc h t o b e h e r
.

c o n vic ti o n w e hav e n o di fficul ty in b e li e vin g what

,
.

Fath e r T a ssin ari t e lls us in th e pr o c e ss I f i t ha d .

b e e n p o ssibl e h e s ay s
,
sh e w ould n e v e r ha v e mov e d
,

a st e p o r drawn a bre ath w ith ou t t h e m e r i t o f h o l y

ob e die n c e a s I k n o w w e ll fr om th e l o n g s e v e r e t ri a l
, , ,

I m ade o f h e r N or are w e as t o n ish e d at th e fo l
.

lowin g d e p o sit io n of Fath e r G u e l Du rin g an
e cs ta s y o n t h e 1 st of J an u ar y 1 7 2 7 th e Bl e ss e d ,
,

Virgin havi n g in vi t e d h e r t o t h e b an qu e t o f e t e rn i ty ,

sh e e xcus e d h e rs e lf b y s tat in that sh e ha d n o t l e a v

g e

fo r that . Wh e n sh e r e t urn e d t o h e r s e lf sh e r e l at e d
thi s fa c t at m y fe e t Sh e th e n ask e d m e t o giv e
.

he r l e ave t o go t o e t e rn al glory 3 bu t on m y r e fusin g

t o do so sh e promp tly r e signe d h e rs e lf t o ob e di enc e
, .

2 62 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

sis te r t o all of wh i ch Ve ro n i c a subm itte d w ith ou t a

,
'

w ord of compl ain t .

T h e re w as o n e p oi n t h o w e v e r on wh ic h sh e found
, ,

i t difcul t t o o b e y n am e l y wh e n h e r con fe ssors c o m

, ,

m an d e d h e r t o giv e th e m mi n u t e d e ta ils of h e r gift s

an d virtu e s n o t m e r e l y b y w ord o f mou th
,
b u t in ,

writin g for h e r e h umility an d ob e d i e n c e cl a sh e d I t

,
.

wa s a hard con t e s t bu t ob e di e n c e prov e d Vict o rious

, ,

as th e r e a d e r w ill b e pl e a s e d t o s e e W h e n sh e b e g a n .

t o wri t e in th e y e ar 1 69 3 sh e s aid I p e n th e s e lin e s

,

simply u n d e r o b e di e n c e an d wi th gr e at r e p ugn an c e
,
.

B e li e ve m e e v e ry t im e I ha v e e v e n t o m e n t ion
,

th e s e thi n gs m y r e pugn an c e in cr e a s e s 3 an d havin g

,

t o w ri t e a bou t th e m cos t s m e much Bu t b e in g com .

m an d e d t o d o so o v e rc o m e s i t a ll o th e rw is e I s h oul d ,

no t wri t e a lin e I say a ll th e s e th in g s u n d er

ob e d i e n c e bu t I a ssu r e yo u that th e s truggl e is
,

so vi ol e n t that I sc arc e l y k n o w h o w t o say a

w ord . Th is av e rsi o n n e v e r we re o ff in th e y e a r
1 6 99 sh e r e p e at s
, I n d s t ill th e s am e r e pugn anc e
,

t o wri t in g that I a lways did I n 1 7 02 sh e s ay s .

,

Wh e n I se t my s e lf t o writ e th e con t e n t s of this .

b o ok I h ad t o do m y s e lf suc h vi o l e n c e that I could

, ,

sc arc e l y n is h a lin e
I n 1 7 04 .

W hat e v e r I ,

hav e w ritt e n ha s b e e n do n e u n d e r ob e di e n c e an d ,

m y av e rsi o n ha s b e e n som e t im e s so v e h e m e n t tha t

I hav e b e e n hardl y abl e t o wri t e a w ord In 1 7 1 6 .

sh e s ay s

, I hav e w ritt e n u n d e r ob e di en c e bu t i t is ,

lik e d e ath t o m e Ag ai n in 1 7 22
. I w rit e b y, ,

ob e di e nc e o th e rw is e I s h ould say n o th in g
, H er .

wri t in gs are full of suc h e xpr e ssio n s an d yet t hi s ,

.

a v ersion i s c o upl e d wi th th e fac t o f he r havin g p e n n e d

so m a n y m a nuscrip t s that th e y l l a la rg e bo x w ith
, ,

o ut coun tin g th os e wh ic h sh e tor e u be c a us e they

p
 s . VE R ON I CA G IULI AN I . 263

h ad been spo il t b y t h e d e vil an d th os e whi c h h e

,

a fte rwa rds burn e d in h is fury I n ord e r n o t t o abs e n t

.

h e rs e lf from an y conv e nt u al of c e or e mploym e n t sh e ,

was obli g e d t o wri t e al l h e r p ap e rs at night wh e n th e

commu n ity wa s a sl e e p so that sh e wa s no t only oblig e d
,

t o tak e th e tim e from r e pos e bu t also from h e r b e l o ve d

,

pray e rs an d p e n anc e s wh ic h sh e wa s i n t h e habi t of

,

r e s e r vin g for that t im e W e mus t no t fo rge t th e

.

fr equ en t an d mos t p ain ful m al adi e s t o wh ic h sh e wa s

subj e c t
3 a nd i t c a n n o t b e d e n i e d that h e r ob e d ie nc e
wa s in th is r e sp e c t mir a cul o us .

We w ill n o w give th os e r e al a nd ta n gibl e mira cl e s

wh ic h ha v e p a ss e d th rough t h e ord e a l o f t h e proc e ss e s .

W e p a ss ov e r o n e wh ic h Fath e r T a ssi n ari r e l at e s in ,

whi c h sh e di e d a nd ros e t o life ag ai n at h is comm a n d ,

b e c aus e a l th o ug h w e are in clin e d to th in k th e re is

,

s ufci e n t wa rran t fo r b e li e vin g i t i t is a m att e r mos t

dif cul t of pro o f an d w
,

, e m e a n t o co n n e ours e lv e s t o

suc h as are p ro v e d b e y o n d al l doub t Th e fa c t of he r .

und e rs tandin g pure l y m e n tal pr e c e p t s was c e rtainl y

sup e rn at ur al an d o ccurr e d s e v e ra l t im e s U n d e r the
, .

s am e h e a d we m ay pl a c e he r goin g do w n in t o th e
con fe ss i on al wh ic h sh e d i d fre qu e n t l y o u t of ob e di
,

e nc e wh il e sh e ha d fe v e rs and o th e r disord e rs upon

,

h e r an d h e r r e t urn ing th e n c e i n p e rfe c t hea l th an d

,

s t r ength at t h e comm and of h e r c o n fe ssors T h e s e .

occurre nc e s w e r e wi tn e ss e d b y th e wh o l e commu n i ty .

On e d ay wh e n the d e vils h ad b e e n b eat in g he r

, ,

th e y th r e w h e r t o the ground from th e c e ilin g t o ,

whi c h th e y ha d lift e d he r so that sh e brok e h e r

,

l eg. Som e d ay s aft e r Fathe r Capp e ll e tt i fo r t h e

, ,

purpos e of t e s ti n g h e r ob e di e n c e h aving ha d h er ,

b rought t o t h e co n fe ssio n al s aid t o he r H av e yo u

, ,

f aith ! W e s hall se e if y ou ha v e A sk our L ord .

2 64 s . V ER ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

t o cur e y o ur br o k e n l e g dire c tl y T hus e nj o i n e d .
,

s h e b e g an t o p ray c o n d e n t l y f o r th is fa v o ur an d ,

o b ta i n e d i t o n t h e sp o t B e fo re t h e e y e s o f a ll t h e
.

n u n s sh e w e n t ou t o f t h e co n fe ssi o n a l an d wa lk e d u p

s ta irs t o h e r c e ll Fr o m that t im e fo r th sh e a l way s

.

spo ke o f it as

t h e limb o f o b e di e n c e an d o f fai th .

On a n o th e r o cc a si o n S ata n h e ld h e r ha n d o v e r t h e
re so l o n g t h at h e r n a ils w e r e s h riv e ll e d an d t h e ,

skin sc o rch e d up Two h o u r s aft e r war ds Fath e r .

C riv e lli arrive d an d havin g h e ard fr o m t h e abb e ss an d

, ,

Sis t e r C e o li what ha d happ e n e d h e summ o n e d Ve ro ,

n ic a an d a sk e d h e r wh e th e r sh e ha d fa i th i n O b e di e n c e
,
.

Sh e r e pli e d i n t h e a f rm at iv e Ve ry w e ll s aid th e .
,

Fath e r i n t h e N am e o f G o d Al mighty Fath e r So n
, , , ,

an d H o l y G h o s t T h r e e P e r so n s an d O n e G o d L ivi n g
, ,

a nd T r u e I c o mm an d yo u b y th e sig n o f t h e h o l y
,

cross wh ic h I m ak e o v e r y o ur han d that i t b e e u

, ,

t i re l y h e al e d T h e n h e a sk e d h e r if sh e w a s cu r e d
.
,

an d sh e r e pli e d Jus t th e n M o n sign o r Eustachj

! es ,
.

arriv e d an d wh e n h e h ad b e e n in fo rm e d o f what ha d
, ,

tak e n pl a c e V e r o n ic a w as summo n e d t o t h e g ra te
,
.

On s e e i n g t h e w o n d e r ful cu r e wh ic h ha d b e e n e ffe c t e d ,

h e s e n t fo r th e abb e ss an d Sis t e r C e o li an d r s t O f a ll ,

a sk e d th e m if th e y w o uld k n o w t h e sc o r c h e d ha n d

aga i n . C e rtai n l y th e y r e plie d V e ry w e ll l o o k
, .
,

at i t n o w wa s th e an s we r A cco r di n gl y th e y bo th
, .

e x a mi n e d i t
3 bu t n o t b e i n g abl e t o disc o v e r t h e l e a s t
tra c e o f bu r n i n g th e y w e r e a m az e d an d e xcl aim e d
, , ,

It is a mi ra cl e
Whil e Ve r o n ic a wa s abb e ss th e thr e e disp e n s e r s in ,

a dve rt e n t ly p o u r e d i n t o a v e ss e l o f pu trid o il ab o u t
thr e e h u n d r e d p o u n ds w e ight of g o o d o il wh ic h ha d ,

b e e n p r o vid e d fo r t h e tabl e O n e o f th e m Sis t e r .

,

M ary To m m assin i b e in g i n gr e at dis t r e ss h e r e up o n

, ,
2 66 s . VE R O N I CA G IUL IAN I .

Christmas D ay Th e !u e e n o f h e a v e n h e ld h e r
.

divin e S o n in h e r arms an d wa s att e n d e d b y a mul ti

,

t ud e of s ain t s amon g wh om w e r e dis t i n gu is h e d th e

,

s e v e n fou n d e rs o f th e ord e r o f S e rvi t e s H avin g .

r e l at e d th is e ve n t i n h e r j o urn al sh e a dds ,
As ,

u su al,
I forc e d my s e lf no t t o d e sire th e s e kin d o f
thin gs an d I e v e n d e spis e d th e vi sion a s an illusi on
,

o f t h e d e vil . Bu t t h e mos t h o l y M ary w ith a gr a ciou s ,

e xp r e ssi o n of cou n t e n a n c e a nd a smil e full of m a

,

j e s ty s aid t o m e D aught e r I a m n o e vil spi rit n or

, , , ,

are th e s e m y c h ildr e n suc h N e v e rth e l e ss co n ti n u e t o

.
,

ac t a s th ou ha s t do n e for th ou ha s t b e e n oft e n h i dd en
,

t o do so b y ob e di e n c e an d b y m y s e lf Sh e imm e


,
.

diat e l y c aus e d m e t o a d o r e t h e M o s t H o l y T r i n i ty 3
an d at th e s a m e mom e n t th e r e c a m e t o m e thr e e r ays

of ligh t an d I wa s c o n rm e d as d aught e r sp o us e an d
, , ,

discipl e of t h e T h r e e D ivin e P e rso n s as I hav e fre ,

qu e n tly d e scrib e d e ls e wh e r e T h e n al l th os e s ain t s

.

a n d bl e ss e d souls o ffe r e d up an a c t of tha n ksgivi n g

f o r m e t o God an d th e mos t H o l y M ar y Th e
Bl e ss e d Virgin th e n c aus e d m e t o r e n e w m y pro fe ssio n ,

an d wh e n I c a m e t o that p a r t o f t h e fo rmul a i n wh ic h

e t e r n a l life is promis e d a ll t h e s a i n t s a n s w e r e d A m e n , ,
,

an d all t h e in s t rum e n t s i n m y h e ar t w e r e mov e d .

T h e l a s t fa c t t o wh ic h sh e allud e s wa s o n e of no t u n
fr e qu e n t o ccurr e n c e 3 i t wa s discuss e d an d approv e d b y
t h e t ribun al o f t h e S a cr e d C o n gre gat ion of R ite s wh o ,

a ckn o w l e dg e d i t t o b e a r ea l prodig y .
 s . V E R ON I CA GI UL IAN I . 267

C H APT ER VIII .

H ER TE N D E R D EVOTI O N TO TH E B LE S S ED VI RGI N TO ,

H E R G UA RD IAN AN GE L AN D TH E O TH E R S AI N T S
,
.

W E hav e doub t e d wh e th e r ought t o d e vo t e a

we
sp e ci al c hap t e r t o th is subj e c t fo r what ha s b e e n ,

alr ea d y s a id i n t h e c o u r s e o f our n a rr at iv e is a mpl y ,

su fci e n t t o m a rk ou t Ve ro n ic a a s o n e of t h e mos t
d e vo t e d of t h e cli e n t s o f M ary Bu t o n th e o th e r .

hand c o n sid e rin g t h at th is p e culi ar gr a c e b e in g

, ,

as t h e Fath e r s t e ll us mos t e ffic a ci o us i n promo t in g

,

o ur s al v at io n a s w e ll as o n e of t h e m o s t b e a u t ifu l of
,

t h e pr e r o g at iv e s o f th e s a i n t s we ha v e r e solv e d t o
,

d we ll on i t p ar t icul arl y a s th e r e are m an y th in gs con

,

c e rn i n g i t wh ic h hav e no t ye t b e e n dr aw n ou t .

Al th oug h w e ha v e r e a d th e liv e s o f m an y o the r

s ain t s we h av e n e v e r m e t e xc e p t i n g in V e ro n ic a s c a s e
, ,

,

w ith e xampl e s of fa mili a r i n t e rcours e b etwe e n o u r

Bl e ss e d L a d y an d a ch ild of th r e e y e a rs o l d It is .
,

i n d e e d a p e culia r privil e g e an d o n e n e v e r gr an t e d t o
, ,

an y b u t c h os e n souls N or c a n i t b e suppos e d that

.

th e !u e e n of h e a v e n w ould co n d e sc e nd t o suc h h ol y
in t im a c y w i th a sou l that d i d no t burn w i th lov e for
h er. Suc h com mu n ic at io n s mus t hav e m arv e ll o usl y
incr ea s e d th e affe c t io n of V e r o n ic a for h e r wh o is of
simp l e cr eat ur e s t h e mos t w or thy o f l o v e W e ha v e .

s e e n that our L ord J e sus C h ris t d e ign e d t o b e he r

Visibl e i ns t ru c t or in v ir t u e and i n th is th e Bl e ss e d
,

Virgin also t ook p ar t O ur S a in t ha s l e ft us

.

m an y of th e l e ssons w hi c h sh e r e c e iv e d from h e r
glori o us P at ro n e ss 3 for J e sus Hims e lf ha d b e e n
pl e a s e d e xpr e ssl y t o commission H is h ol y Mo the r
t o tea c h h e r wh e n H e app e ar e d in h er comp an y t o
,
 2 68 s . VE R ON I CA G IULIAN I .

Vero n ic a an d pro n o u n c e d th o s e s w e e t w o rds

,
My ,

m o s t b e l o v e d M o th e r I w is h th is our b e lov e d t o
,

b e a l way s guid e d b y th e e .

B u t w e mus t n o t li n g e r o n what is pl a in It .

is tim e fo r us t o p r o c e e d t o c e r tai n i n dispu tabl e

fa c t s whic h w ill give us an id e a o f t h e c ar e ss e s
wh ic h t o o k pl a c e b e tw e e n o ur L a d y an d h e r d e vo t e d
d aught e r I t is w e ll k n o wn that i t is t h e c h e ris h e d
.

o ffic e of l o v e t o s ha r e i n t h e sor r o w s o f t h e b e l o ve d
obj e c t T h e r e fo r e i t wa s that Ve r o n ic a w as s o fo n d of
.

t e s tifyi n g h er h o m ag e b y p ar t icip at i n g i n t h e m artyr

d o m of t h e !u e e n of Dol o urs O n th is th e m e sh e
.

w ould o ft e n m e di tat e an d sp e ak W h e n sh e did so

.
,

i t was w i th suc h a fe e lin g o f comp a ssi o n that Fath e r ,

T a ssin ari d e cl ar e s h ims e lf t o hav e b e e n fr e qu e n t l y

mov e d t o t e ars 3 an d at suc h t im e s sh e s e e m e d t o h im a
livi n g p o rt rai t o f h e r wh os e w o e s sh e d e pic t e d An d .

i n d e e d th e s e Do l ours ha d m a d e s o p o w e rful an impr e s

si o n o n h e r h e ar t a s t o l e a v e th e r e t h e sy mb o lic re pre
,

s e n t ati o n o f t h e s e v e n s w o rds Sh e wa s so an xi o us that

.

h e r r e ligi o u s s h o uld b e i n ci t e d t o pr a c t is e t h e s a m e d e
v o t i o n that sh e pl a c e d i n t h e c h oir a stat ue o f t h e M o th e r
,

of D o l o u r s i n wh o s e h o n ou r sh e app o in t e d a s o l e mn
,

proc e ssio n o n th e thi r d Su n d ay of e v e ry m o n th wh ic h ,

i s s t ill k e p t up b y t h e commu n i ty \Vh e n sh e wa s

.

e l e c t e d abb e ss an d ha d a cc e p t e d a cco r di n g t o cus t om

, , ,

t h e k e y s t h e rul e s an d t h e s e a l o f t h e c o n v e n t sh e
, , ,

pl a c e d th e m all b e fo r e t h e mos t h o ly S a cra m e n t an d ,

th e n fallin g o n h e r k n e e s at t h e fo o t o f th e sup e
,

rio r s s tall sh e dir e c t e d Sis t e r F l o r id a C e ol i h e r
, ,

a ssis tan t t o pl a c e th e r e o n th e i r s tat u e o f t h e M o th e r

,

o f D o l o urs T h is d o n e Ve r o n ic a pr e s e n t e d th e in sig
.
,

n i a of h e r o fc e t o t h e s a cr e d im ag e impl o rin g t h e

,

Bl e ss e d Virgin t o b e abb e ss in st e ad o f h e rs e lf Ev e ry .
27 0 s . VE R ON I CA GIULIAN I .

sh e r e c e iv e d Y our l o rds h ip mus t forgiv e m e if I ,

ag ain t ro ubl e y ou w i th a l e tt e r Our Sup erior th e .

,

m o s t H o l y Vi rgin wh o pr o vid e s us w ith mon e y an d

,

o th e r alms is th e c aus e of m y d o in g s o It is sh e
,
.

wh o n o w s e n ds yo u th irty th r e e p a uls I a sk p e rmissio n

-
.

t o w rit e t o th e m an ufa c t ur e r t o t e ll h im t o m ak e s om e ,

cl o th fo r th e r e ligious I kn o w h e c an n o t m ak e i t
.

imm e di atel y fo r h e r equir e s th re e o r fo ur m o n th s

,

n o t ic e It w ill c o s t a g o o d d e al bu t I a m n o t a fraid 3
.
,

I r e ly implici tl y o n t h e Sup erior an d o n y our lord ,

sh ip .

A s sp e cim e n s of he r affe c ti o n fo r our Bl e ss e d L a d y ,

we s hall s e l e c t t wo of t h e l e tt e rs wh ic h sh e w ro t e t o
Fath e r T a ssin ar i an d wh ic h w e r e e x ami n e d b y t h e
,

S a cr e d C o n gr e g at io n of R it e s On th e 2n d of Fe .

b ru ary 1 7 1 3 sh e w rit e s
, ,
Fath e r d o n o t b e di s ,

c o urage d at th e cold n e ss of y o ur d a ug ht e r Giv e h er .

y o ur char i tabl e a ssis tan c e b y comm an ds p e n an c e s , , ,

an d suffe ri n gs I sp e ak fr o m m y h e ar t wh e n I t e ll yo u
.

that I c an n o l o n g e r e n dur e m y s e lf I a m s at is e d .

w ith th e Will o f G o d bu t I a m i n fe ar an d t r e mblin g

,

l e s t I sh ould b e b an ish e d fr om G o d o n a ccou n t o f my

in grat i t ud e I go t o t h e fe e t o f mos t h oly M ary
.
,

an d th e r e I m ak e m y p r o t e s tat io n s r e n e w m y vo w s , ,

an d o ff e r up m y h e a r ty p ray e r s Bu t o n ly thin k sh e .

d o e s no t w is h f o r m y p ray e r s I go o n an d th ro w .
,

th e bl am e o n y our r e v e r e n c e s ayi n g : M amm a m ic I

, ,

c an d o n o th i n g e ls e H o l y Ob e die n c e s e n ds m e to
.

th e e 3 th o u ar t b o u n d t o h e a r m e A ft e r all I a m thy .
,

c hild an d th e ch ild o f thy s e rvan t T h o u ar t t h e

, .

Mo th e r o f D o lours b e h o ld m e wh o a m full of s o r

ro w I r e p e n t o f m y si n s I gr i e v e f o r m y i n g rat i t ud e ;
.
,

I kno w that I d ar e no t lift m y e y e s t o h e av e n F ull .

of cond e nc e i n thy m e rcy, I r e sign m y s e lf t o thy

 s . VE RO N I CA G I UL I AN I . 27 1

wi l l l ik e o n e d e a d T h e n I e xp e ri e nc e a s e n s at ion at
.

m y h e a r t whi c h I c a n n o t e xpr e ss bu t s o s e cr e t l y , ,

that I c an hardly fe el i t To God b e all the gl o ry
. .

Again on th e 1 2th of M a rc h 1 7 2 1 sh e w ri t e s
, , ,

I l iv e con t e n te d i n th e m ids t of t roubl e s O h .

,

h o w s w e e t an d pr e cious i t is t o l iv e for the lov e

of G od Al th ough m y M amm a 1 3 h idd e n I ,

kno w sh e a ssis t s m e 3 an d I bl e ss h e r fo r suc h gre at

c ha ri ty. I f i t w e re no t for h e r w o e t o m e ! I re ,

c e i ve e v e ry bl e ssi n g fro m he r an d y our r e v e r e n c e

,

k n ow s that i t h as a l way s b e e n so It is v e ry surpris .

in g . I f yo u onl y kn e w m y fath e r t h e way i n

, ,

w h ic h th e mos t h o l y M a r y t r e at s m y soul yo u w o uld ,

b e b esid e y o urs e lf w i th d e lig ht I a sk h e r fo r g ra c e s

.
,

an d sh e imm e di at e l y e n fo lds m e in t h e Will of G o d .

I am sur e t o r e c e ive som e gr a c e n o t that whi c h I ,

ask f o r bu t that wh ic h God pl e a s e s t o s e nd m e

,
So .

I ha v e g o o d r e a so n fo r pr ayi n g an d I fe e l that t h e ,

Bl e ss e d V i rgin s t irs m e up t o do so Sh e do e s all for .

m e i n God s way a nd I agr e e w i th he r

.
,

I n th e l a s t of th e s e l e tt e rs th e po w e rful pro t e c tio n

,

v o uch s a fe d t o Ve ro n ic a b y M a ry is sp e cia lly app ar e n t .

Bu t p e r haps a n o th e r an e cd o t e m ay b e us e ful t o e xci t e

o th e rs t o a simil a r d e vo t io n B e sid e s sh o w e ri n g suc h
.

a bu n d a n t suppli e s fro m e v e r y sid e o n t h e co n v e n t ,

"

wh il e o u r S a in t wa s abb e ss t h e !u e e n of h e a v e n
,

n o t s e ldom co n d e sc e n d e d t o a ssis t h e r i n th os e l a bo

r ions o ccup at io n s wh ic h sh e s till co n t i n u e d On e .

d ay wh e n sh e wa s e mpl o y e d w i th o th e rs o f t h e
c o mmu n ity i n wa sh in g th e ir cl oth e s i t wa s o h ,

s e r v e d that sh e a ccomplis h e d h er w ork i n an i n cr e dibl y

s h or t t im e an d w i th w ond e rful p e rfe c t ion 3 an d th e y

,

s e v e r a l t im e s h e a rd he r e xcl aim Mos t h ol y Vi rgin ,

a rt th ou going t o do e v e ryth i n g thy s e lf an d l e a v e

27 2 s . VE R O N I CA GI ULI AN I .

n o th i n g fo r m e T h e n th e y w e r e n o lo n g e r sur :

pris e d at h e r a m az in g p r o gr e ss bu t w e r e s truck w i th
,

a dmirat i o n at the c o n d e sc e n si o n o f Mary an d at th e ,

m e ri t wh ich Ve r o n ic a mus t ha ve a c qu ir e d t o r e c e i ve
s o h igh an h o n o ur .

Man y ye ar s aft e r sh e ha d r e c e ive d t h e s tigm ata ,

Mgr C o d e b o t h e n e w bish op dir e c t e d h e r t o draw

.
, ,

o u t i n wri t i n g full an d pr e cis e d e tail s o f t h e e v e n t .

Ve r o n ic a wa s a g o od d e a l p e rpl e x e d fo r sh e did n o t
,

tho r o ughl y r e c o ll e c t al l th e circums tan c e s an d sh e ,

wa s a fraid e i th e r of failin g i n ob e di e n c e o r of d e c e iv,

i n g h e r sup e rior b y an y i n co rr e c t n e ss i n t h e n arr at iv e .

But i n t h e mids t of h e r difcul t i e s o ur Bl e ss e d L ad y

app e ar e d an d r e l at e d t h e wh ol e dis t i n c t ly t o h e r
, .

I n con n e c t i o n w i th t h e pr e s e n t subj e c t an d with ,

h er wri t i n gs ,
is t h e fo ll o w in g b e a u t iful i n cid e n t ,

wh ich Sis t e r Florid a C e o l i w i tn e ss e d w i th h e r o wn

e ye s . Abou t s e v e n y e ars b e fo r e h e r d e ath Ve ro n ic a ,

wa s o rd e re d b y h e r c on fe ssor t o w ri t e do wn in a fr e s h
b o o k an a cc o u n t o f th e s tat e of h e r s o ul Sh e ob e y e d
.
,

bu t a s th e thin gs wh ic h sh e ha d t o r e l at e w e r e fo r t h e
m o s t p art such a s w e re lik e l y t o d o h e r h o n our sh e ,

e xpr e ss e d h e rs e lf a s l a co n ic a ll y a s p o ssibl e I n the .

e v e n in g Sis t e r Florid a s aw that sh e ha d n e arl y n ish e d

h e r ta sk an d th e n e x t morn i n g o n e n t e rin g the
, ,

chamb e r of h e r h o l y abb e ss sh e fo u n d h e r i n t e ars

,

an d d e e pl y afflic t e d S h e i n quir e d t h e r e a s on an d
.
, ,

a s V e ro n ic a ha d gr e at co n d e n c e i n h e r arisin g ,

fr o m th e ir simil arity o f spiri t sh e r e pli e d that

,

duri n g th e night sh e ha d ha d a Visi o n of h e r

gu ardi an an ge l an d mos t h ol y M ary wh o having , ,

r e c e iv e d fr o m th e an ge l th e b o o k sh e ha d b e e n writ ing ,

look e d i t ove r an d r e pr o a ch e d Ve ro n ic a with dis

,

obe dienc e in no t gi ving a muc h full e r a ccoun t O ur .

27 4 s . VE R ONI CA GI ULI AN I .

than s e nsibl e sy mbols of th e in visibl e Op e rat ions of

gr a c e i n th e h e art o f Ve ro n ic a bu t as suc h cl e arly the y ,

d e mo n s t rat e th e r e s e mbl an c e of he r h e ar t t o th o s e of
J e sus an d Mary as w e ll as that confo rmi ty o f will
,

an d a ffe c t i o n whic h e xi s t e d b e tw e e n t h e th r e e an d ,

whi ch is t h e mos t sur e sig n an d frui t of that solid

o

an d t e n d e r d e v o t ion wh ic h V e r o n ic a c h e ris he d t o wards

th e !u e e n of h e av e n an d h e r divin e Son .

B e for e closin g this chap t e r th e r e a d e r mus t ,

p ermi t us t o say s om e th i n g o f h e r d e vo t ion t o h e r

gu ardi an an ge l an d h e r p at ro n s a in t s T her e is n o .

roo m for d etails of th e nov e n as an d o the r w orks of

pi e ty whic h sh e d ail y o ffe r e d up i n h onour of th e s e
inhabi tan t s of h e a v e n H e r vision s prov e d h o w ac
.

c e pt abl e t h e y w e r e
,
Sh e fr e qu e n t l y b e h e ld he r gu ar
.

di an ang e l pr e s en ti n g h e r at th e Th ro n e of th e augus t
Trin ity or m a kin g i n t e rc e ssio n o n h e r b e ha lf at t h e
,

t ribun al of th e divin e Judg e or b e for e th e bright ,

thron e of th e !u e e n o f h e av e n M an y t im e s sh e saw .

S Jos e ph t h e gr e at spous e of M ary S Jo h n th e pre

.
, ,
.

c ursor o f our L ord th e gre at apos t l e S P aul h e r

,
.
,

o wn p at ri arc h S Fran cis o f A ssisi an d h e r mo th e r

.
,

S C lar e SS Cath e rin e o f Si e n a Te re sa of J e sus

.
, .
, ,

R os e of Lim a D o min ic F r ancis Xavi e r P e ll e gri n o

, , ,

L azio si Aloy sius Go n zag a and o th e rs 3 a c e r tai n sign

, ,

that sh e ha d m erite d the s e r ar e favours b y he r d evo

t i o n t o th e m W e c an no t co n cl ud e with ou t r e m ark
.

i n g h o w muc h th os e p e rsons e rr wh o s e e k t o g ain ,

a vulga r r e pu tat i o n f o r w i t a mo n g t h e irr e ligi o us b y

ridiculi n g th e d e vou t pr a c tic e s whi c h th e Ch urc h s anc

t ions in h o n o ur o f th e s ain t s I n th e li ve s of all the .

h e ro e s of o ur h o l y r e l igi o n from the v ery earli e s t age s ,

w e n d e x amp l e s o f simil ar h o m ag e t o th o s e immor ta l

warriors wh o havin g compl ete d their e ar thly c ar e e r
, , ,
 s . VE RONI CA GI ULIAN I . 2 75

ha ve attai n e d cro w ns o f e t e rn al glory S uc h e x ampl e s .

s h o uld m ak e us smile at our mod e rn r e fo rm e rs w h ile ,

w e fo ll o w t h e foo t s t e ps of th o s e wh o ha v e pre c e d e d
us in th e faith an d are n o w e nj oy i n g the ric h harv e s t
,

o f glory i n h e a v e n an d on e a r th t h e h onour of b e i n g
,

r a is e d on the al ta rs of the Ch urc h .

C H APT ER IX .

H ER G I FTS OF P R OPH E CY AND MI R AC L ES

D U R I N G L I FE
.

IT is n at ur al that a s o ul e n rich e d with suc h h e roic

vir t u e an d suc h e x t ra ordi n ary privil e g e s sh ould b e ,

lik e w is e a d o rn e d w i th e v e ry o th e r o rn am e n t w i th
wh ic h God is pl e a s e d t o d e cor at e His s ain t s b e fo r e
t h e e y e s of th e w o rld To b e gi n w i th prop h e c y wh ic h
.
,

i s a gift tha t h as b e e n vouc h s afe d t o n e arl y all t h e

s ain t s
. V e r o n ic a poss e ss e d i t t o suc h an e x t e n t that
i t wa s c o mmo n l y s aid i n t h e mon a s t e ry tha t n e arly a ll
he r w ords w e r e so m an y pr o ph e ci e s fo r th e y i n vari ,

abl y c a m e t o p a ss Th e r e a d e r m ay r e col le c t h o w sh e
.

p r e dic t e d h e r o wn d e ath Sis ter M ary M agd al e n

.

B o sc ai n i r e l ate s of h e rs e lf that havi n g app l i e d for

,

a dmissi on in t o t h e c o n v e n t o f S C l a r e i n t h e t im e
.

o f Mgr C o d e b o t h e bis h op wa s jus t the n u n w il ling

.
,

t o a dmi t a n y o n e H e r p ar e nt s a nd a n uncl e wh o
.
,

wa s a pri e s t w e r e Oppos e d t o h e r wi sh an d c al le d
, ,

h e r m a d fo r wa n t in g t o b e a Capuch in n u n p ar t i ,

c u l arl y a s h er co n s ti t u t i o n ha d b e e n i nj ur e d b y
a s e rious ill n e ss S h e w as e x t r e m e l y dis t r e ss e d at
.

th is opposit io n a nd d e sp air e d of attain ing the d esir e d

,

18
2
 276 s . VE R ON I CA GI UL IAN I .

b oon 3 bu t Ve ron ic a t ol d h e r that in t im e sh e w ould

ov erc o m e it all an d so i t prov e d Th e s am e th in g
,
.

h app e n e d t o Sis t e r Fl o rid a C e o l i S he ha d com e .

,

lik e the form e r fr om Pis a t o appl y for a dmission

, , ,

bu t th e nu n s ha d n o s o o n e r s e e n h er tha n th e y dis
c o urage d h e r a dv a n c e s th i n ki n g h e r u n sui t e d t o th e ir
,

commu n ity Bu t Ve ro n ic a pl ain l y t o ld t h e bis h op

.

that a chap t e r ha d b e tt e r b e h e ld a nd that the vo t e s ,

w ou ld b e u n an im o us i n h e r favour Th e e v e n t Ve ri .

e d h e r pr e dic t io n 3 a nd bo th the s e in dividu a ls b e c am e

of gr eat u se t o th e m o n a s t e ry b y th e ir e x e mpl ary
virt u e An o pposi t e c a s e wa s that of M arg ar e t Ra
.

n ucci ,
wh o wa s r e c e iv e d b y Mgr Eust achj Ve ro . .

n ic a wh o wa s th e n n ovic e mis t r e ss dis t i n c t l y t old hi m

,
-
,

that th e y oun g l a dy w as n o t m e an t fo r th e m Ho w .

e v e r sh e wa s cl o th e d b u t tw o m o n th s a ft e r ward s
, ,

sh e l e ft th e m an d w e n t t o P e rugi a wh e r e sh e e n t e r e d ,

a conv en t of the Poor as th e y w e r e c all e d S h e, .

u tte r e d a simil a r pr e dic t io n o n t h e a dmission of Sig

nor a C laric e d e March e s i d e l Mon t e wh o wa s n o t

,

e v e n clo the d bu t w e n t away an d e n t e r e d t h e e nc l os e d

,

con v e n t of t h e s a m e ci ty .

Upon th e d e ath of Mgr Eu stachj t h e Capuchi n .

,

nuns pray e d for th e e l e ct ion of an o th e r good p a s t or .

Ve ron ic a did s o p articul arl y b y ord e r of Fath e r C ri ,

v e lli wh o
, a s h e r dir e c t or e nj oin e d he r t o m e nt ion
, ,

e ve ry l ight that sh e might r e c e i v e from h e av e n .

T his fa c t is r e lat e d by the good fath e r i n the

proc e ss Aft e r sh e ha d pr aye d for som e t im e sh e
.
,

s a id that sh e ha d s ee n a bis h op s m i tr e b ea rin g i n

fron t the two c api ta l l e tt e r s A O Fath e r C riv e lli . .

in fe rre d that the s e w ould b e the in i t i a ls of th e fu t ur e

b ish op, so he gl anc e d hi s e ye ov e r th e d ir e c t ory
of Crate s to se e if any of the pr elate s h ad a n am e and
 278 s . VER ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

w ith s tan di n g th e pposit ion of his fath e r W h e n h e

o .

was in th e O r at ory sh e t o ld h im t o go t o Borgo S

,
.

S e polcro for that h is fath e r w as at th e poin t of

,

d e ath .
F in ally sh e pre dic t e d that h e w ould a ssis t
,

h e r in h er p a ss ag e from th i s w o rld ; an d al l th e s e
th i n gs c am e t o p ass Wh e n Fath e r Vi n c e n t S e gape l i
.
,

an O rat ori a n wa s d a n g e rousl y ill sh e a ssur e d h im o f

, ,

h is r e cov e ry th o ugh all ha d giv e n h im up : th e s am e

,

happ e n e d t o Fath e r T a ssi n ari an o th e r o f h e r c o n fe s

,

s o r s wh o ha d b e e n give n ov e r b y hi s p hy sici an s o n
,

a cc o u n t of gan gr e n e Wh e n Fath e r C riv e lli w as su m

.

m o n e d t o R om e b y th e G e n e r a l Fath e r Mic ha e l ,

An g e lo T amburi n i in ord e r that h e m ight tak e th e

,

pl a c e of Fath e r M e rlin i sh e t old h im pl ai n l y that h e

,

w oul d no t r e m ai n th e r e bu t w ould s h o rtly r e turn t o

,

C itt a di Ca s te ll o an d so h e did
,
S h e pr e dic t e d th e
.

birth o f a so n t o th e Emp e ror Char l e s VI an d h er .

,

w ord s w e r e Ve ri e d th o ugh t h e ch ild s l ife wa s sh or t

,

.

Sh e also fo r e t old th e d e s t ruc t i o n that w o uld b e c a us e d

b y th e pl agu e at M ars e ill e s wh e n i t was r e p o rt e d in
,

C i tt a di Ca st e llo that it s r a v ag e s w e r e ov e r in that

c ity.

W e s h ould w e ary t h e r e a d e r if we w e r e t o r e c o un t
the i n num e rabl e prop h e ci e s w ith wh ic h th e proc e ss e s
are ll e d so w e w ill c o n clud e w i th o n e r e l at i n g t o
,

Sign or Do n Gi a como L o m e l l in i wh o wa s th e c o m ,

p anion of Fath e r C riv e lli in h i s m i ssro n s a s h e ha d ,

b e e n of th e c e l e b rat e d Fath e r S e gn e ri t h e y o u n g e r 3
for h e d e s e rv e s h o n our abl e m e n t io n Ve r o n ic a was .

ind e b t e d t o this h o l y an d z e alou s e ccl e sia s t ic for he ,

ha d b e en her dire ct or duri n g th e p e ri o d wh e n Fath er

C ri v elli wa s o blige d t o abs e n t h ims e lf i n ord e r t o ,

proc ee d t o Fl ore n c e When Fath e r L o m e ll ini was

.

d an g erously il l at C i tt a d i Ca s t e ll o i n D e c e mb e r 1 7 1 4 , ,
 s . VE R ON I CA GI ULIAN I . 27 9

Fath e r C ri ve l li ord e r e d Ve ro n ic a t o r e comm e nd h im

t o God . Sh e did s o an d a ft e rwards s aid th at
,

mos t h ol y M a ry ha d a pp e ar e d t o h e r wi th a cross
a dorn e d with ve j e w e ls whi c h sh e i n fo rm e d h e r
,

we re i n t e n d e d t o r e pr e s e n t th e virt u e s of L o m e ll in i 3
a ddi n g that h e w ould no t d i e u n t i l sh e s h ould s e e the

s a m e cross ag a in d e cor ate d w i th a l arg e r numb e r o f

,

g e ms t o indic at e th e gr e ate r Virt u e whi c h th e good

,

pri e s t would hav e b y that t im e attain e d Sh e r e p eat e d

.

thi s i n t im at ion t o Fath e r L o m e l l in i h i ms elf At the .

b e gin n in g of the fo llo w in g y e a r Fath e r C rive ll i s e t

,

ou t w i th h is comp an io n t o gi ve th e spiritu al e xe rcis e s

at P e rugi a ; an d th e r e Fath e r L o m e l l ini fe ll sick
ag a i n . T h e n c e th e y proc e e d e d t o F olign o wh e r e , ,

p e rc e ivin g that h is comp an ion wa s suffe ri ng fr om fe v e r ,

Fath e r C rive l l i s e n t h im t o S a rzan a for chan g e of air ,

wh ile h e r et urn e d i n M arch t o C i tt a di C a s t e ll o H e .

ha d no soo n e r a rr iv e d th e r e tha n he a sk e d Ve ro n ic a
what sh e th ought of his b e lov e d c o mp anion Sh e s ai d .

that sh e b e li e v e d h i m t o b e n e ar h is e n d for that sh e ,

ha d ha d a visi o n i n whic h Father S e gn e ri the y ou n g e r

ha d app e ar e d t o h e r h oldi n g in h is hand th e s am e
,

cross wh ic h sh e ha d pr e viousl y s e e n all cove r e d ,

w i th j e w e ls wh ic h circums tan c e coin cid e d w i th th e

,

n o t ic e sh e ha d th e n r e c e iv e d from mos t h ol y M a r y .

H e r e upon Fath e r C riv e lli w ro t e t o S arzan a t o con

gr at ul at e Fath e r L o m e l lin i on th e appro a ch i n g t e rmi
n at ion of h is su ffe ri n gs an d on th e ri c h r e ward wh ich
,

wa s pr e p are d for h im in heav e n ; bu t b e for e th e

l e tt e r could r ea c h h im Fath e r L om ell in i br eath e d h is
,

last.

To the sp i rit of prop he c y m ay al so be r efe rr e d th e

p o w e r o f p e n e t r at ing s e cr e t s burie d i n t h e h e ar t 3
a l th ough th is m ay mor e prop erly b e term e d the
 280 s . VE RON I CA GI U LIANI .

f a cul ty of s earch in g h e ar t s W e ha ve ha d i n s tanc e s of

.

t h is i n th e t e n th c hap t e r of th e rs t book and th e r e for e ,

w e w ill o n l y give o n e e x ampl e h e r e Bis h op C o d e bb

.

was co n sul ti n g w i th Fath e r G u e l h e r co n fe ssor a s , ,

t o what s h ould b e don e w i th h e r a fte r h e r d e ath .

The n ex t time Ve ronica saw that p r e l at e sh e s aid t o

hi m as if sh e ha d h e ard th e wh ol e discussio n
,
My
l o rd I b e g tha t y ou w ill do w i th m y body e x a c tl y
,

a s y ou pl e a s e w i th ou t t roubli n g y ours e l f in the

,

leas t . W e ha v e s e e n h o w sh e wa s abl e t o divin e

t h e m e n ta l pre c e p t s of h e r confe ss o rs an d also h er ,

discove ry of Fath e r C ri ve ll i s d e sig n of c a usi n g h e r t o

b e appoin t e d abb e ss W e will co n clud e w i th Father

.

Crive ll i s o wn w ords : I mus t a ckn o w l e dg e that

from th e opin io n wh ic h I e n t e rta in e d of h e r gift of

rea di ng h e a r t s I us e d t o tr e at h e r w i th r e v e r e n t i al
,

fe a r an d d e fe r e n c e ; b e in g c o n vin c e d that sh e kn ew

e v e rythi n g that wa s p a ssi n g in m y h e ar t .

Th e e vid e n c e of suc h a w i tn e ss r e n d e rs a ll furthe r

re m ark sup e ru o us W e s hall no t att e mp t t o sp e a k
.

h e re of h e r gift s of su p e rn at ural sci e n c e an d disc e rn

m e n t of spiri t 3 n o r e v e n of h e r e cs ta si e s wh ic h we r e ,

st ill mor e w o n d e rful f or t h e r e a d e r ha s r e a d muc h

,

o f th e s e in th e cours e o f t h e n a rr at iv e bu t will p a ss ,

on t o the mi ra cul o us cur e s wh ic h sh e e ffe ct e d .

Th e fo ll o wi n g c a s e s are s e l e c t e d from th e proc e ss e s .

A Capuch in nun o f h e r o wn con v e n t wa s a f ic te d

with a fe s t e rin g w ound i n o n e of h e r limbs wh ic h ,

sh e could n e v e r bri n g h e rs e lf t o s h o w t o a surg e on .

At l a s t th e t o rm e n t sh e su ff e r e d wa s suc h that sh e
t ol d Ve ro n ic a wh o visi t e d h e r w ith th e u t mos t
,

charity and b ath e d th e p art aff e c t e d w i th a li ttl e

,

ros e wate r Th e n e xt morni n g it wa s fou n d that sh e

-
.

wa s comp let e ly cur e d Ano the r wh o wa s suffe rin g

.
,
28 2 VER ON ICA G IUL IAN I .

bl e ss he r l es t th e e xc e ss o f p a in sh e fe l t s h ould d d
,

priv e h e r of he r s e n s e s O ur S ain t l ai d he r hand on

.

Sis t e r Cath e rin e s h e a d an d s a id Y ou w ill no t los e

,
"
y our s e n s e s 3 o n th e c on t rary y ou wil l b e cur e d ,
.

From that tim e fo rwar d sh e n e v e r ha d the slighte s t

r e t urn o f h e r h e a d a c h e .

Sis te r M afy F ucci !sis t e r we b e li e v e of C a non , ,

Vi n c e n t F ucci a p ri e s t o f h ig h chara c t e r wh o di e d
, ,

at R o m e at an a dv an c e d age an d w as a gr e at fri e n d
, ,

of ours) ha d a gr e at n umb e r o f wart s o n h er hand s

, ,

of the siz e of a far th i n g T h e y oft e n Op e n e d an d n o

.
,

r em e dy could b e fou n d for th e m A ccordin g t o t h e .

usu al rou t in e of th e con v e n t h e r t ur n c am e ro u nd t o

,

s e rve i n th e kit ch e n bu t Ve ro n ica wh o wa s th e n

, ,

sup e rior w o uld n o t all o w h e r t o do thi s th in kin g

, ,

that th e commu n i ty wo uld obj e c t t o ha v e th e ir food

t ouch e d b y h e r Sis t e r Mary h o w e v e r was e xt r e m e l y
.
, ,

ri e v e d at th is p r o h ibi t i o n an d r e sort e d t o t h e un w is e
g ,

e xp e di e n t of cu tti n g h e r wa r t s a l th o u gh i t c a us e d h e r
,

e x tr e m e p a i n Th e bl e e di n g wh ic h e n su e d wa s so
.

c o pious that sh e ran i n t o t h e ki t ch e n t o s tan c h i t w ith

c o ld wat e r bu t u n succ e ssfully
,
Wh il e sh e wa s so .

e mplo y e d th e h o l y abb e ss c am e up an d a sc e r ta i n in
, g , ,

h o w m att e rs s t o od r e prove d h e r gra v e ly an d a dd e d

, , ,

in o rde r t o fright e n h er a litt l e Are y ou n o t ,

awar e that suc h a fo olis h s t e p a s that whi ch yo u ha ve

tak en m ay c aus e y o ur han ds t o fe s t e r ! T he n sh e
ord e r e d h er t o got h e rs e lf att e n d e d t o an d n o t t o ris e ,

for m at ins that n ight Sis t e r M ary F ucci happ e n e d t o

.

h av e at han d a pi e c e of Ve ro n ic a s sc apul a r wh ich

,

wa s commonl y c all e d p at i e nc e I n this sh e wr app e d

.

h er w ound e d han ds havi n g r e mov e d th e b and ag e s

,

whi ch the i n rm ari an s ha d pu t on 3 aft e r wh ic h sh e ,

p ass ed th e night in r e fr e shi ng sle ep Whe n she aw ok e .

 s . V E R ON I CA GIUL I AN I . 28 3

the n e xt morn i n g sh e uncov e r e d h e r han ds a nd fou n d

,

that th e y w e r e p e rfe c tl y cu re d n e ith e r wa s th e re th e

,

l e a s t t ra c e of war t or w ou n d Sh e wa s a m az e d an d
.
,

so w e r e al l t h e n u n s a s soon a s th e y h e a rd i t p a r ,

t i cul arl y a s th e pi e c e o f sc apul a r wh ic h ha d e ffe c t e d

t h e w ond e rful cur e w as fou n d n o t t o ha v e th e lea s t
m a rk of bloo d upon i t T he s am e d ay sh e wa s abl e
.

t o e n te r the ki t ch e n an d s e rv e h e r turn .

N o le ss mir a culous was what happ e n e d to a n e p h e w

of th e tw o lay sis t e rs F r an c e s an d Gi a cin ta Th e
,
.

poor y ou th ha d a catar a c t i n h is e ye an d S i s t e r Gi a ,

cin ta co n sid e rin g i t incurab l e s e n t h im i n a p h i al

, ,

som e wat e r I n whic h Ve ro n ic a ha d wa sh e d he r ha nds .

Wi th th is th e y ou n g m an b ath e d h is e ye wh ic h wa s ,

imm e di at e l y r e s t or e d t o i t s n at ur a l s tat e Th e h e alin g .

wat e r wa s s e n t b a ck t o t h e co n v e n t an d the nu n s ,
.

obs e rv e d that i t e mi tt e d a d e licious fr agr an c e .

B ut i t is sc a rc e l y n e c e ss a ry t o r e cou n t in dividu a l
in s tan c e s wh e n we r e coll e c t that h e r wh o l e life wa s
,

o n e p e rp e t u a l mir a cl e of the mos t s t up e n dous or d e r .

W e d o n o t sp e a k of th e sup e rn at ur a l char a ct e r of he r
Virt u e s an d h olin e ss bu t s uc h th i n gs a s ar e co n sid e r e d
,

mira cu l ous i n t e mpor al m atters suc h a s th e u n h e ard

,

of p e n an c e s with wh ic h sh e m a c e r at e d h er bod y t h e ,

rigorous fa s t s wh ic h sh e o bs e rv e d t h e way i n whi c h ,

sh e d e priv e d h e rs e l f of sl e e p h e r i n c e ss an t l ab our s
,

of the mos t fatigum g d e scrip t io n th e fr e qu e n t a nd ,

h orribl e atta ck s wh ic h sh e e ndur e d from th e d e mons ,

th e w ound i n ic t e d o n h e r h e a r t th e s a cr e d s t igm at a
, ,

h e r fr equ e n t p ar t icip at io n i n th e c ha lic e t h e sc o u rg ,

ing the cr o wn in g w ith th o r n s an d a ll the su ffe rin gs

, ,

of th e divin e P a ssion in cludin g th e cruci xion it s e lf

,
.

T o all th is mus t b e a dd e d th e a lmos t con t in u a l t ra n

spor t s o f h er l o v e of God ; h e r fr equ en t e cs ta s ie s an d
2 84 s . VE R ON I CA G IUL IAN I .

r ap tur e s wh ic h give a ssis tanc e an d c o mfort t o the soul

, ,

i n proport i o n a s th e y e n fe e bl e t h e bod y N e ithe r mus t .

w e forg e t he r co n s ta n t i n rm iti e s an d d an ge rous ill

n e ss e s 3 an d ye t in th e mids t of i t all sh e sp e n t fty
, ,

y e ars in r e ligion and attain e d t o th e age of six ty

,

s e ve n . Su r e ly t h e m e r e fa c t of h er l ivin g o n a s sh e di d
was a mi ra cl e an d h er wh ol e life was a c ha i n of sup er
,
.

n atural e ve n t s of the mos t m arv e llous ord e r Suc h .

wa s t h e opin ion of he r comp an io n s in th e C l ois t e r ,

a n d of t h e m e dic a l a tt e n d a n t s wh o i n v e s t ig at e d he r

case .

Is; I n c o n clusio n we w il l r e late tw o mir a culous c ir

,

c um st an c e s wh ic h c a m e u n d e r our o wn o bs e rvat io n .

Th e rs t was t h e s trikin g co n v e rsi o n of o n e of o ur

p e n i t e n t s at R o m e W e say s trikin g b e c aus e al
.
, ,

t h ough no t publicl y kn o wn it wa s a v e ry r e m ark abl e ,

mi ra cl e W e suppos e our r e a d e rs t o b e awar e of t h e

.

tea ch in g of S T ho m a s i n c o mmo n w i th al l th e Fath e rs

.
,

a n d th e ol o gic a l w ri t e r s that th e jus t ic at i o n of a

,

sin n e r is t h e m o s t w o n d e rful of all t h e w orks of G od

a d extra 3 wh e r e for e th e Ch urc h p ray s O God ,

Wh o dos t p ar ticul arl y m an ife s t Thy omn ipo te nc e b y

s p ar in g an d s h o w i n g m e rc y N o w th is p e rso n wh o
.
,

ha d committ e d e n o r m o us crim e s an d live d fo r som e ,

y e a r or mor e i n a s tat e of d e sp a ir w as r e comm e,

n ded
b y us t o s e e k d e live ran c e from h is mis e ra bl e co n di
t io n th roug h t h e i n t e rc e ssio n of Ve ron ic a th e w ri t ing ,

of wh os e l ife ha d i n spir e d us w ith gre at con d e n c e

in h er . O n e d ay wh e n h e l e a s t e xp e c t e d i t he fe l t
, ,

hi ms e lf c han g e d at h e ar t an d ll e d o n c e mor e wi t h
,

c o n d e nc e i n G o d s o tha t h e m a d e a g e n e rous a nd
,

d e vou t co n fe ssi o n an d liv e d p e a c e fully e v e r a ft e r

,

wa rds w i th n o sorro w co n c e rn in g h is p a s t life e xc e p t

, ,

t h e th ought o f th e g ri e v o us wr o n g h e ha d do n e t o
 28 6 s . VE R ON I CA GIUL IAN I .

S e p t e mb e r i n th e s am e y e a r issu e d the d e cr e e of he r
,

b e ati cat io n F urth e r mi ra cl e s wh ic h occurr e d in

.
,

1 8 1 5 an d 1 8 1 8 w e r e app ro v e d b y t h e S a cr e d C ongr e
,

g a t i o n o f R i t e s a nd
,
o n t h e fe a s t of S
,
P h i lip N e ri .
,

M ay 26th 1 8 3 1 P o p e Gre gory XVI d e cid e d that

, , .

.h e r c an o n izat io n could b e s a fe l y proc e e d e d with Sh e .

w as sol e mn ly c an o n iz e d b y t h e s a m e Pop e on Trin i ty

.Sun day M ay 2 6th 1 8 3 9 i n t h e Va tic a n B a silic a
, , , ,

t og e th e r wi t h S Alp h o n so Liguori S F r an cis d i

.
,
.

Giro l amo S J o h n J o s e p h of t h e C ross an d S Paci

, .
, .

c u s of S a n S e v e ri n o
.
 TH E

S PI RI T U A L L I F E

OF

TH E B L E S S ED B AT TI S TA VARANI ,

RELI G I O US O F

THE O RDER O F S . C L AR E .
2 90 B LES SED BATT IS TA VARAN I .

and e v e rywher e a c quir e d much h onour His bro the r .

R udolp h dying w ith ou t issu e h e inh e rit e d hi s sov e

,

re ign ty an d r e t urn e d t o hi s dom ai n s

,
U nd e r hi s .

r e ign Ca m e rino b e cam e a b e a u t ifu l an d po werful ci ty .

H e co n s t ruc te d s e v e r al n e buildi n gs a mong whi c h ,

t h e c h urc h of S M ary wa s r em ark abl e H e re

. .

buil t th e wall s and provid e d for th e d efe nc e of h is

,

te rrit ory by the co n s t ruc t ion of s t ro n g c a s t l e s .

Thi s princ e e spous e d Joann a M al ate s ta d a ught e r of ,

Sigismun d Pri n c e of Rimini a nd from thi s m ar

, ,

ri age sprung B att is ta Va r an i wh o was born on the 9 th

,

April 1 45 8 S he wa s b ap t ize d C amilla b ut t ook

,
.
,

t h e n am e of B att is ta on e n te ri n g r e ligi on H i s t ory .

giv e s us no inform at ion r e g ardin g he r until sh e wa s

t e n y e ars old an d he r h II m il ity kn e w s o well h o w t o
,

conc eal the fa vou rs wh ic h God b e s t o we d on he r

during th e tw e n ty thr e e l a s t y e ars of he r l ife that we
-
,

are e qu ally ignor a n t co n c e rn ing that p e riod a nd ha d ,

i t no t b e e n for a circums t anc e fo r whi c h we c anno t

than k G o d t oo much w e s h ould hav e b e e n equ al ly
,

u n in form e d r e gardin g the t we n ty in t e rm e di ate ye ars 3

bu t our H eav e n ly Fathe r p e rmi tt e d h e r t o b e a ss ail e d
with suc h Viol e n t t e mp tat ion s from the d e vil th at ,

for thr e e ye ars sh e su ffe r e d a sor t of m ar tyrdom .

T he con fe ssor wh o the n dir e ct e d h er ha d k n o wn h e r

o n l y six mo n th s an d it was n e c e ss ar y that h e S h ould
,

b e m a d e a c qu a in te d w i th he r pr e vious l ife H e con .

s e qu e n tl y r e qu ire d from her a h is t ory of hers e lf an d ,

e njoin e d h e r t o w ri te unr e s e rv e dl y e v e rythi ng tha t

ha d occurr e d t o her for th e l a s t twe n ty years S he .

di d so and t o thi s we are ind e b te d for the t r easur e

,

of e di cation wh ic h h er h ol y l ife offe rs t o us The .

fragm e nt s of i t do no t form a r e gular h is t ory and ,

P ascucci t o supp ly the d eci ency giv e s a chronol ogi c al

, ,
 B L ES S ED BATT I S TA VAR AN I . 29 1

t ab l e of the prin cip al e v en t s of he r life un til th e ,

e n d of the ft ee n th c e n t ur y W e p la c e i t he r e i n.
,

o rd e r that the n a rr at iv e m ay no t be i n te rru pte d

aft e rwa rds .

L I FE OF BATTI S TA I N TH E W OR LD , I N I TS C H RON O
L O GI CAL O RD E R .

1 . S he wa s b orn on the 9th of April 1 45 8 ,

.

2 T e n years late r in 1 468 h e r h e a r t b e g an t o burn

.
, ,

w ith l ov e for the P a ssion of he r L ord .

3 Afte r a g e n e ral co n fe ssion m ad e i n L e n t 1 47 7

.
, ,

s h e fe l t h e rse lf s t rongl y dr aw n t o wa rds a r el igious

o

life 3 bu t ins tea d of surr e nd erin g h e rs elf t o the c al l of

g r a c e sh e
,
s t rugg l e d a g a i n s t i t f o r a wh o le yea r .

4 Van qui s h e d b y the good n e ss of God sh e at l a s t

.
,

r e so l v e d to ob ey and d e cl a re d her d eterm in at ion t o

,

he r fathe r a bou t E a s ter 1 47 8 , .

5 T he pri n c e r e fus e d h is cons e n t an d con t inu e d

.
,

hi s opposit ion durin g tw o years an d a half .

6 I n th e mon th of Nov e mb e r 1 48 1 h e at le ng th p e r
.
, ,

m itt e d h er t o fol l o w he r voc at ion a nd giv e h e rs el f t o ,

God . From thi s mom e n t sh e wa s inund ate d w ith

gra c e s a nd conc e iv e d suc h a n ard e n t d e sir e of suffe rin g
,

that G od wa s mov e d b y i t t o s at isfy h e r H e s e n t .

h e r a s e v e r e ill n e ss so th at for a s h or t t i in e sh e was

,

in gr e at d an g e r an d i t l e ft he r i n a wea k s tate of
,

heal th for th ir t e e n years .

L I FE OF BA TTI STA IN R EL I G I ON .

1 . O n the 1 4th of N ov e mb e r 1 481 sh e r e c ei v e d , ,

the habit of S C l ar e i n the C onv en t of Urb ino an d

.
, ,

ins t e a d o f Camill a t ook th e n am e of B att is ta

, .

2 F ive mon th s b e for e he r profe ssion sh e w ro te a

.

l e tter u n d e r th e d i c tat io n of J e sus C hri s t .

19
2
292 RLESSED BATTI S TA V ARANI .

3 D ifcu lti es
% of whic h we hav e no r e cord prol onged .

h er novi c iate b ey ond the ordin ary p e ri od so that ,

sh e was no t profe ss e d u n til som e tim e in the year

1 48 3 .

4 .
H er fathe r bu il t a conv en t at C am e rino i n the
s a m e year a nd th is wa s the occ a s i on of m a n y bitte r
,

tri al s t o h e r .

5 S he t ook poss e ssion of th is conv e n t with som e

.

n uns on the 4th of J a nu a ry 1 48 4 an d ha ving m a d e

, ,

an ew a g en eral confe ssi on t o Fathe r P eter M olian o Pro ,

~

vin cial of the F r a ncisc a ns sh e r e cov e r e d he r p ea c e of

,

mi n d It was th e n that he r c ele s t ial fa vours be cam e

.

fr equ e nt : rs t S Cl ar e a pp ea r e d t o he r afte rward s

.
,

sh e was c onduc te d in t o a pl a c e whe r e J e su s wa s cru ci

e d an d the r e sh e r e m ai n e d t wo wh ole mon ths The n

,
.

th e re of s e rap hi c l ov e b urn e d within he r for thre e

m onth s At la s t sh e o btain e d w e e kly comm un i on
.
,

whi ch sh e enj o ye d during tw o y e ars .

6 It wa s during t h e summ e r of 1 487 that sh e

.

re c eiv e d the ord e r t o w ri t e an d that Sh e wro te he r

,

Tr eatise on the In terior Sorro ws of J e sus C hris t .

7 I n th e mon th of Augus t foll o wing wh il e sh e

.
,

wa s e njoyin g profound p e ac e God p e rm itt e d he r t o

,

b e d e c eive d b y the d emons i n ord e r t o prov e he r s till

,

m or e .

8 O n the 1 1 th of O c t ob e r followi n g they b e g a n t o

.

a fic t he r with gri e vous t e mp tat io n s wh ic h sh e e ndur e d ,

for thr e e y e ars w ith ou t disclosin g th e m t o an y o n e .

9 Aft e r th e d e ath of Fathe r M o l i an o o n t h e 25 th

.

o f Ju ly 1 49 0 sh e t o ok a no th e r co n fe ssor from wh om
, , ,

sh e h op e d t o r e c e iv e som e s o l a c e for he r p a i n b ut ,

h er h op e s wer e dis appoi n t e d f o r h e wa s ob lig e d t o

,

q u it C a m e ri no tw o mon th s af te r .

1 0 It app ears that thi s n ew d ir e c t or at onc e re

.
2 94 BLESSED BATTISTA VARA NI .

r egard A c t so a s t o be able t o s ay wi th th e roy al;

.

prop h e t Th e L ord was con t in u ally before my ey es

, , ,

an d His di vin e presence wa s th e obj ec t of th e medi ta

t ion of my h e art You will e asil y nd in th e Hol y

.

S crip tures m an y o th er t ext s whic h prove that th e

,

th ought s of th e s ain t s w ere unce asingly xed on th e

L ord .

Wh en th e Blessed B attis ta wro t e th ese th in gs t o ,

wards th e close of th e ft een th cen t ury sh e ha d be en

,

a nun f or eight een y e ars O f h er spiri tu al lif e in

. .

religion w e kno w o nl y what sh e has j udged proper

t o t el l P a scucci ha s collec t ed some th ings in th e
.

chap t ers on h er virt ues l n th e supplemen t t o this .

volume Th e l as t tw en ty th ree y e ars of h er life are

.
-

unkno wn t o us She wa s never form all y b e ati e d

.
,

bu t i t is believed that C lemen t X a u th oriz ed th e

.

devo tions pra c tised in h er h o nour at C amerino a nd ,

all au th ors wh o have mentioned h er since th e begin

n ing of th e seven t een th c en t ury give h er th e t i t le of

Ble ssed .
 PROLOGU E .

M ! REVEREND FATHER JESUS C HRIST

IN ,

I mus t begin by t elling y ou that th e wh ole of th is

month of F ebru ary ha s been t o me a se a son of battle and
bitt er sorro w s c a used by my resis tance t o a po werful
,

inspir ation of th e origin of wh ic h I wa s ignora n t

,
.

I f I ha d believed i t t o ha ve come from G od I cer ,

t ainl y s h ould no t ha ve d a red t o s truggle ag ains t i t 3

bu t I suspec t ed i t t o be a t emp tat ion of th e Spiri t of
pride permi tt ed by God t o t ry me for th e punis h
, ,

men t of my sins S eeing m yself de s tit u t e of all h elp

.
,

and deprived of all hum a n consol ation I ha d recourse ,

t o prayer m y a ccus t omed resource

, I besought th e
.

s w ee t Mo th er o f G od wi th al l th e love of whic h I
,

a m c ap able t o dissip at e th e d arkness in t o wh ic h I

,

s aw my self plunged in punis h men t of m y sins a nd t o ,

c ause a r ay of light t o pene t r at e m y mi nd b y whic h I ,

might discern wh e th er i t wa s th e Will of God or no t .

Aft er ha ving th rough th e wh ole mon th w e aried

, ,

h e aven with m y cries of dis t ress w i th ou t g aining any

,

th ing bu t ex t reme fatigue of spiri t on th is second ,

S und ay of L en t th e 2 0th of F ebru ary on re t iri n g from

, ,

th e h oly T able I have resolved t o obey th e in t erior

,

inspir at ion persu a ded that o th er wise I s hall never

,

reg ain pe a ce God gr a n t that th is de t ermin at ion be

.
296 B LES SED BATTIS TA VARAN I .

co nformabl e to H is Wil l I hav e co ndence that it .

is so ; an d I believe that i t is b y His gr a ce that I hav e

m ad e thi s resolve Ho w ever that m ay be i t is certain
. ,

t hat this obedience will c a use me no thi n g b ut ex trem e

confusion bo th before God an d before you and thi s
, ,

re ason conrms me in m y resolu tion more tha n m an y ,

o th ers whi c h poin t i t ou t t o me a s very useful an d ,

e ven necessa ry .

This in spir ation my fat h er m akes me anxiou s

, ,

abou t m y s alv at ion I w ill t ell y ou th ings wh ic h

I have never before t old t o a ny one and w ill dis ,

c over secre t s h i th ert o c arefull y h idden in my h e ar t .

I n a w ord I w ill recoun t m y sp iri t u al life from th e

,

beginn in g un til th e presen t t ime God is M as t er : .

an d since He w ills i t I will i t also It is t ru e this

,
.
,

is no t th e rs t t ime that I have t re at ed of this

m att er wi th you m y fath er ; bu t what I have hi th er t o
,

s aid was so obscure that y ou could no t compreh end

i t I mus t frank ly a dmi t that formerl y I spoke in
.

c o h eren tl y ; no w it w ill be o th er w ise a nd I w ill u n ,

fold t o y ou al th ough ag ains t my will th at w ound

, ,

wh ich has been hi dden for thr ee ye ars at th e bo tt om

o f m y h e art a nd ha s pierced i t eve n a s th e spe ar of
, ,

th e soldier pierced th e H e art of Jesus I w ill t ell yo u .

al l wi th ou t reserve 3 deign t o lis t e n wi th an att en t iv e

e ar.

Oh my fath er ! have pity on a poor sinner wh o

, , ,

l ike ano th er M agd alen pros t r at ing h erself at th e

'

F ee t of Jesus c a s ts h erself at your p at ernal fee t w i th

, ,

t e ars in h er e y es an d s hame on h er fore h e a d h umbl y ,

t o di sclose to y ou th e his t ory of h er un fort un at e happi

n es s I t seems t o me that I m ay w ell give i t this n ame
.
,

sinc e in pun is hment of my sins my in d e lities an d , ,

my ingrati t ude, it is c hanged into bitt ern es s int o ,

 C H AP TER I .

HER VOW MADE I N CHILDHOOD RELATIVE TO THE PAS

SION OF JESUS CHRIST HER P ROGRESS I N THIS .

DEVOTION AND THE P IOUS E X ERCISES W HICH IT

,

SUGGESTED TO HER .

BE i t kno wn t o you my fath er that b y th e gra ce o f

, ,

God i t is y ou and y ou onl y wh o have given t h e rs t

, , ,

impulse t o m y spirit u al life I c a n w el l im agine y our

.

surprise perhaps even y our in c reduli ty bec ause I

, ,

know y ou have n o knowledge of th e fa c t I decl are

t o y ou : for a s it wa s connec t ed wi th th e favours
,

God ha s bes t o wed on me I ha d de t ermined never t o

,

divulge i t a nd w ould n o t have broken my resolu tion

,

h ad I no t been compelled t o do so Ho w ever y our .

,

a st onis hmen t will c e a se wh en y ou have h e ard m y

s t ory and y ou will agree w ith me that all is possible
,

w ith G o d T h e l as t t ime y ou pre ach ed a t C amerino

.
,

I was abou t eight y e ars o l d or t en at mos t c alcul at e

,

y ourself m y fath er a nd y ou w ill discover th e ex a c t

, ,
.

t ime ; I a m no w thirty th ree y e ars old having been

-
,

born on th e 9th o f April 1 45 8 It wa s on G ood , .

Frid ay that y ou pre a c h ed y our l a s t sermon a nd o f ,

my o wn a ccord I w en t t o h e a r y ou I n t ru th I h e ard .

y ou no t onl y w i th att en tion wh ic h of i t self wa s a

, ,
.

gr ace of th e Hol y Spiri t b u t in a n abs t rac t ion of th e

,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I . 2 99 '

se n ses li ke a pers on wh o l is t ens for th e rs t t ime t o

,

some thi n g of th e deepes t in t eres t I remember very .

w ell that th e things y ou spoke of seemed t o me fu t ure ,

and no t p a s t whic h will prove t o you that I ha d s t ill th e

,
.

simplici ty a nd puritylo f y ou th You represen t ed Jesu s .

C h ris t before Herod wh o w ould rele a se Him if He,

w o ul d onl y spe ak I fel t a n excessive comp a ssio n

.

for Him a nd beg an t o pr ay t o God th us : O L ord

, ,

gr an t that m y Jesus m ay spe ak that He m ay a ns w er ,

Hero d an d n o t be c arried away t o die

, Wh en I
h e ard y ou de cl are that He w ould no t bre ak silence ,

I wa s deeply afflict ed a nd I s aid in m y h e art t o soft en

, ,

th e p ain I fel t Why will He no t spe ak ! i t seems
,

t o me that He consen t s t o His o w n de ath It wa s so .
,

m y good Jesus i t wa s so 3 bu t I did n o t unders tand

,

i t th en I t ell y ou all this my fath er t o s h o w you

.
, ,

h o w y oung I mus t have been wh en thi s s wee t S avi o ur

deign ed t o take posses sion of m y h e ar t and es tablis h ,

His d w elli ng t h ere .

I n endin g y our discourse y ou m ade a t ouch ing ,

appe al t o y our a udien c e t o w eep for Jesus a nd t o ,

re tain th e remembra nce of His sufferings M ak e .

at le a s t every Fri d ay y ou s aid a s h ort medi tat ion
, ,

on His sufferings a nd s h ed one t e ar for His love It

,
.
.

is bu t little that I a sk from y ou a nd y e t I a ssure ,

y ou that th is w ill ple ase God more and b e more useful ,

to y ou tha n an y o th er w ork h o w ever go od i t m ay

, ,

be . I t wa s th e Hol y Gh os t wh o dic t at ed th ese
W ords t o y ou for in spi t e of m y y ou th m y h e a rt
, , ,

wa s pene trat ed t o th e quick and th e y m ade on me ,

a n inefface able impression Wh en I gre w a li ttle .

o lder th e y cons ta n t l y c a me in t o my mind a nd I medi

,
,

t at e d on th em w i th p ar t icul a r s at isfa c t ion O ne d ay .

I wa s so deepl y t ouch ed b y th em that I bound my self

3 00 BLESSED BATTI STA VARANI .

by vo w t o give t o my Jesus every Frid ay this t ear

wh ich y ou ha d asked an d this was th e com mencement
,

of my spiri tu al life a s yo u will cle arl y see in th e cours e

,

o f m y h is t ory It is t o y ou t h en my fath er that I

.
, ,

o w e my introduc t ion int o th is life and ins te a d of , ,

be ing surprised y ou w ill uni t e wi th me i n givin g

,

thanks to our C re at or from Wh om all good th ings

,

proceed .

A ft er having m a de thi s vo w I did all in m y po w er ,

t o be fai th ful t o i t in spit e of th e ma ny dif cul t ies I

,

ha d t o cont end w i th It was necess ary for me every

.

Friday t o pu t m y h e art t o th e t ort ure t o elici t thi s

t ear whi ch ;I desired T his c ame fro m a sort of
.

aversion for sp iri tu al things so that I c oul d neith er ,

re ad th em nor be ar t o h e ar th em re a d Wh en
,
.
,

b y th e special favour of God I have been able ,

t o S h ed my rs t t e ar do no t suppose m y fath er I
, , ,

wait ed for a second ; on th e contr ary I rose in a ll ,

has t e and imme di at el y r an away S ome t imes in

, .

follo wing th e impul se o f my n atur a l viva city I laugh ed

so loud a nd di ver t ed myself wi th so li ttle di scret ion
, ,

that wh en th e t ime for w eeping c ame I could n o t ,

dr aw from m y ey es this blessed t e ar T h en becoming .

imp atien t I w en t away b ut w i th a s a ddened h e art

, , ,

believin g that some evil w ould happen t o me for

this indelit y a nd remorse of conscience w ould t or
,

men t me for th e wh ole w eek .

W h en L en t arrived I w en t t o conf ession to Bro th er

,

Paci c o of U rbino an d decl a red t o hi m all m y sins a s

,

w ell a s I coul d He a sked me m an y ques tions and

.
, ,

among o th ers wh e th er I ha d contr a c t ed a ny obli

,

at i o n b y v o w Wi th ou t thi n k ing I replied in t h e

g .
,

n egative bu t immediat ely correc t ing my self I sa id

, , ,

I h ave indeed made a vo w, bu t I c anno t full it ,
3 02 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

ccus tomed exercise Oh my fath er in Jesus C hris t

a .
,

if y ou kne w th e d anger I r a n that night an h our aft er ,

I w en t t o bed y ou w ould be as t onis h ed I f y ou w is h

,
.

t o kno w I will t ell y ou ano th er t ime bu t n o w I w ill

, ,

no t int errup t my h is t ory Oh h o w happy that crea .

,

t ure is wh o wh en a ss ailed b y t emp tat ion h olds fas t

, , ,

b y h er resolu tion I s ay thi s for I kno w i t b y ex

.
,

p e ri e n c e bu t t o re t urn from t hi s digression .

T h e ever incre a sing ple asure whi c h I fel t in re adi n g

-

this inspired me with th e desire of subs t it u t in g medi

,

t ati o n for i t I th en beg a n t o medi tat e on th e P a ssion

.
,

n o t onl y on F rid ay s bu t every d ay and that for a

, ,

con sid erable t ime a ccording t o th e inspir at ion wh ic h

,

God gave me w ith ou t using th e book Thi s pr a c tice

,
.

procured me such a n ab unda nce of devou t t ea rs ,

that I could no t s ay a ros ary wi th ou t w eepin g even ,

b efore s tr angers T his l as t ed thr ee y e ars before I

.

resolved t o give myself t o God I need hardly .

a dd that th e devil d i d h is bes t t o m ake me give up

,

this h oly pr a c tice At h is ins tigation persons wh om

.
,

I could no t av o id bec ause th e y lived in th e h ouse

,

w ith me misint erpre t ed m y t e ars impu t ing th em t o

, ,

w orldly sorro w s or ridiculous affec t ions No t con

,
.

t en t w i th th inking th us th e y s aid i t t o m y fa ce a nd I
, ,

o wn that th ese repro ac h es deeply w ounded my h e art .

Yet b y th e gr a ce of God I c ame ou t vic t orious from all

, ,

th ese comb at s wi th my resolu tions un c hanged In .

t e rpre t my condu c t a s yo u w ill I s aid t o t h em t urn , ,

ing int eriorly t o G o d in t erpre t my conduc t a s y ou

will I c are little for y our bl ame or y our pr aise
, An d .

th us p assed th ose th ree y e ars duri n g wh ic h devo t ion ,

t o th e P a ssion of Jesus C h ris t inund at ed my h eart .

I fas t ed every Frid ay on bre a d and wat er and ,

bound myself b y vow t o abstain o n that d ay fro m

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 03

c er tain habit u al imperfe c tions Unfo rt una t ely I was .

'

n o t al ways fai th ful t o this eng agemen t I oft en .

s courged every member of my bod y; one aft er th e

o th er . E very nig h t I in t errup te d my sleep a nd go t ,

o u t of bed t o say a C haple t and wh en I ha d neg ,

l e c te d thi s I s aid tw o th e nex t t ime

,
No w that I am .

.
a n un I no longer ge t up for suc h a purpose
,
nor do ,

a ny good th ing what ever .

Durin g th ese th ree ye ars I fa s t ed tw o or th ree d ays

a w eek t oge th er on bre a d a nd wat er and also on ,

t h e fe a s t s of Jesus C h ris t a nd His h oly Mo th er bu t ,

n o w I do no th ing of th e kind I forgo t t o say that .

at th e end of my medi tat ions on th e P a ssion wh ic h ,

m a de me S h ed abund a nce of t e ars I experienced a ,

s or t of r ap t ure durin g wh ic h m y soul enj oy ed a

,

pe ace wh ic h I c an no t express ; I o nl y kn o w that in

this ex tr a ordin ary s tat e wh ic h l as t ed abou t a s long
,

a s one or tw o A ve M ari a s m y bod y wa s wi th ou t feel

,

ing like a corpse a nd m y soul wa s t r an sport ed in t o

, ,

a pl a ce of p ea ce and delight O n coming ou t of th is .

s tat e I oft en s aid t o G od wi th my wh ole h e ar t

,
O ,

m y L ord ! if T h ou fo re se e st that an y w orldly th ing

w ill sep ar at e me from Th ee b y a ha ir s bre a d th pre

,

ven t th is by sending me a th ous and mi sfort unes .

No w I unders t ood b y sep ar at ion th e loss o f th e

s wee t ness I ta s t ed in th ese momen t s 3 for at th e peri o d
of wh i c h I spe ak I ha d no o th er way of appro a c hing G od
tha n th is T h e life whi c h I th en led presen te d m a ny
.

h indr ances C a n you im agine my fath er that w i th th e

.
, ,

excep t ion of th e s h or t t ime I g ave t o medi tat ion on th e

P a ssion all th e res t wa s s a criced t o d a ncin g music
, , ,

promen a des a nd simil ar tri e s 2 Re ading devou t books

,

t ired me o r m a de me l augh I ha d suc h a n a version.

for religiou s that I could sc arcel y be a r to look at

304 BLESSED B Am srA VAR AN I .

th em Dress an d frivolous re ading w ere my d e

.

light In sh ort during th ose th ree years my soul was

.
,

as a prisoner an d th oug
,
h I s t rug led in my medi tat
g
ion s

an d mul t iplied my pr ayers I could no t

,
ob tai n t h e

grace of full liberty No w my fath er lis t en t o th e

.
, ,

me ans by whic h Provi d ence delivered me Ho w .

good Th o u art 0 my G od ! Th o u kn o w es t h o w to
,

h elp in a th ous and ways th e soul that sincerely desi re s

t o apply i t self t o th e pursui t of virt ue .

C H AP TER II .

SH E RESISTS THE GRA CE OF A REL IGIOUS VOCATI O N

F OR A LONG TIME BU T END S B ! FOLLO W IN G IT
,

W ITH GE NER OS IT! .

G OD, in His innit e mercy will ed th at my eye s so , ,

long bl in ded by th e profound d arkn ess of th e w orld ,

s h ould at l ast open t o th e li ght of t ru th F ath e r .

F rancis of Urbino !wh ose w ords and t e a chi ng seemed

t o s hak e my soul lik e th un der an d light ning) cam e to
pre ac h th e L ent at C amerino During th e wh ol e .

season h e repe at ed th ose t erribl e w ords
,
F e a r G od , ,

fe ar God 1 No w I fel t th is h oly fe ar for I perceived th e

,

gre atness of th e o ffences I ha d commi tt ed again s t H is

Maj esty and experienced such a dre ad of th e ames
,

of h ell that h ad I no t kn o w n desp air t o be of al l

,

sins th e mos t di sple a sing to God I rmly beli ev e ,

that I sh ould have desp aired of His mercy I t .

al one was all m y consol at ion an d all my suppor t fo r ,

I spoke t o no one of what was p assing in my h eart .

I w ep t night an d day o ve r my ind eliti es and

306 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

repugn ance and if i t did no t procure m e a compl et e

, ,

vic t ory i t at le as t con tribu t ed l argely t o m y conver

,

sion It wa s this : one d ay that gr a ce sp o ke t o m y

.

h e art more s t rongl y tha n usu al w ith ou t being able t o ,

v an quish my repugn ance i t seemed t o me that G od ,

bid me wri t e t o th e fath er wh o pre ach ed 3 I did so

immedi at ely w ith ou t t ellin g a n y one a nd w ith ou t
, ,

h o ping for a reply It is t rue that I did n o t deserve

.

o n e for m y o bedience t o th e inspir at ion wa s fa r from

,

sincere I excit ed h is z e al t o l abour for th e soul o f one

.

wh o wa s a s tr anger t o me t elling h im n o t one w ord of ,

my person al wan t s Bu t I a dded a pos t scrip t t o m y le t

.

t er Re m ember me my fath e r in th e pe a ceful elev at ion
, , ,

of y our mind I s aid thi s in th e persu a sion that
.

every serv an t o f God experienced at th e end of hi s

meditations that supern at ural pe ac e wh ic h I e xp e ri
e n c e d a nd this good fath er more than o th er s bec a use
, ,

I c o n sidered h im a s aint al mos t a n angel from h e aven

, .

He deigned t o repl y t o me a nd sen t me b y a sure and ,

s e c re t c hannel th e follo w ing a ns w er : I wil l under

take th e affair y ou re c ommend t o me a nd will o mi t ,

nothing t o m ake i t succeed wh e th er in m y public ,

or privat e in st ruc tions As for y ou m y d aught er I

.
, ,

recommend y ou t o gu ard c arefull y th e purity o f bo th

body and h e art aft er th e ex ample of S C ecili a and
,
.

m an y o th er virgins unt il th e momen t wh en God w ill

,

di sp o se o f yo u a c co rding t o His gr ac i o u s de signs .

Be c areful no t t o yield t o th e sensu al t emp tat ions

wh i ch ass ail yo u 3 on th e cont r ary over c ome y ourself ,

in all th in gs with a h o ly generosity Fare w ell Th e .

re a ding of th e s e lines produced in me profound

affli c tion 3 for i t wa s eviden t that th e s e w ords w ere
so m an y arrow s sh o t b y th e H and o f God at
my poor h e art It wa s very eviden t that He h ad
.
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 07

m ade kno wn t o th e fath er what wa s p assing w i th in

me since I ha d never reve aled i t t o a n y one a nd
, ,

y e t h e a ppe a red a c q u a in t ed w i t h th e c a p t ivi ty of m y

h e ar t.

A S soon a s I re c overed from m y vex at ion I ,

e xcl a i m ed ,
It is T h ou O my God Wh o spe ak es t t o
, ,

me b y th e minis try of T hy servan t for h e could no t ,

o th er wi s e ha ve kno w n m y comb at s a nd y e t h e s ay s t o
,

me O vercome y ourself if y ou w ould be perfec tly free
,
.

Well t h en m y God I w ill do what is comm anded
, ,
.

Will y ou believe i t m y fath er sc arcel y h ad I m a de

, ,

t h e s a crice o f t wo or th ree s at isfa c t ions of th e e y es ,

than I wa s delivered fro m this evil p a ssion I th en .

c onceived for Fath er F r a ncis a n a ffec t ion wh ic h m ay

have been t oo s tro n g perhaps bu t wh i c h wa s never,

th e l e ss necess ar y fo r c ha nging th e profa ne love wh i c h

occupied m y h e ar t int o a h oly and spiri tu al love .

Besides I o w ed som e th ing t o a s ervan t of God wh o

,

ha d rendered me su c h an importa n t service .

A ft er havi n g delivered me from th e sl avery of

P har a o God pre ssed me s t ill more s tron gl y t o w i th
,

draw int o th e deser t and s acrice t o H im th ere 3 that

,

i s t o say t o sh u t m y self up in a conven t wh ere I

, ,

s h o uld be o c cupied in His servi c e ; bu t res tra ined b y

m y perverse n ature I turned a de af e ar t o His c al l 3
,

m y de t ermin at ion no t t o q ui t th e w orld bec ame

s t r o nger a nd s t r o nger a nd fool that I was I d ared
, , ,

t o O ppose t o gr a c e th e mos t frivolous excuses t o

j us t ify m y s elf F
. o r in sta n c e I s aid t o my self
,
M y ,

fath er loves me t oo muc h t o permit me t o go i n t o a

c o nven t a nd h e is t oo po w erful for an y one t o d are
,

t o c ontra di c t h im b y wi th dr awing me fro m hi s han ds

.

I re ally believed th is a nd reg arded th e th in g as im

,

possible even ha d i t been my mos t sin c ere desire

, .

2 0 2
3 08 BLESS ED BATTISTA VARANI .

O my God ! m y G o d ! what ha d I th en d o ne t o de
serve th e in t ere st Th o u did st t ake in me being a s I ,

a m a fal s e and sinful c re at ure ! W hat need ha dst

T h ou of m y s ervices 0 m y s w ee t Je sus t o seek m e
, ,

wi th so mu c h e agernes s ! I remem ber very w ell all

th e me an s He sugge st ed t o me fo r w ith dr awing m y
self fro m m y fath er , bu t th eir reme m br ance pierces
m y h e ar t t oo deepl y for me t o t ell th em .

This Ma s t er so p atien t a nd w ise seeing th e

, ,

hardness of m y h e ar t and y e t un able t o resolve t o

,
.

ab andon me changed His t re atm en t and inspired

, ,

Fath er Francis t o pre ac h a sermon th e d ay before th e

An nun c i at ion o f th e Bles s ed Virgin on th e a rden t ,

love whic h th e angeli c al s alu tation enkindled in h er :

h e ar t Never ha d I h e ard h i m pre ac h w ith so muc h

.

fervour I believed while li st ening t o h im that I

.
, ,

h e ard a ser ap h r ath er than a m an He afrmed .

,

among o th er things t hat in one single Sp ark o f th i s

,

divine l o ve whi c h consumed th e h e ar t of M ary th ere ,

wa s m o re s weet ness than in all th e ple a sure s o f th e

w orld combined This m ade so s trong a n impre ssion

.

on me that all my resis tance yielded at on c e Wh en

, .

th e sermon wa s over I appro a ch ed one of th e al t ars

, ,

and thro wing myself on m y knees m ade a v o w t o

, ,

th e !ueen of Virgins t o preserve all my s enses ,

imm acul at e unt il God m a de me kn o w His Will .

I m ade o n e condition h o w ever wh i c h wa s t hat th e

, ,

divine Mo th er w ould share wi th me a sp ark of t hat

re wh i ch burned in h er h e ar t at th e momen t of t h e
A nnun ci at ion From that t ime th is de sire a nd pro
.

m i s e oc c upied m y mind d ay a nd night and I ,

pray ed with all th e fervour in my po w er for th is pre

, ,

cions sp ark of love 3 bu t bec ause He could no t pl a c e

such a rich t re a sure in an uncle an vessel God willed ,
 310 BLESSED BATTISTA VA RANI .

s u ali ty y e t w e n d after wa rd s t hat sh e ha d a l ways

;
preserved h er h e ar t and bod y pure It is incredible .

that so scrupul o us a s oul s h ould have taken s o little

c are abou t examin ation and con tri tion as t o m ake h er
confe ssio ns ! i nv ali d What th en mus t w e t h ink o f , ,

th e m a nner in whi c h sh e judges h erself ! We mus t .

believe i t t o hav e been di c tat ed b y exces sive h umi

l i ty
.

It i s th e pecul i ari ty of pious souls s ays S , .

Gregory ,
t o se e sins wh ere th ere are none and t o ,

n d gr avi ty in m att ers o f li ttle w eight Wh e n .

pre a ch ers repro a c h t h e guil ty in order t o move th eir ,

consciences a nd c o nver t th em th ese good souls take ,

t o th emselves all that is s aid bec ause b y divine light , , ,

th ey see cle arl y th e h ein ousness of sins wh ic h o th er s

thi nk lightly of a s th e ray o f sunsh ine ent erin g int o a
,

chamber s h o w s th e dus t h i th er t o conce aled Bu t t o .

re t urn t o our s t ory ! .

My confessor F ath er O livieri in quired fo r h o w long

, ,

a t ime I ha d communic at ed in thi s m a nner 3 a nd on ,

m y replying Almos t al way s h e s ai d
,
C ert ainl y , ,

m y d aught er I w ill no t all o w yo u t o appro a c h th e

,

h oly table Ex am ine y ourself during th ese d ay s a s

.

seriously as y ou c an and re t urn in a w eek t o m ake a

,

gener al con fession T h e follo wing d ay wh en all ros e
.
,

t o appro ac h th e altar I cont in ued sitt in g in m y pl a ce

, ,

covered wi th shame and confusion bec ause I th ought ,

every on e w ould no tice th is h umili ating excep tion .

Well I s aid t o m y self th e proverb is t rue wh ic h
, ,

s ays He wh o gives no t what h e c an never rece ive s

, ,

what h e wish es Th is is m y bi tt er experience t o

.

day .

Aft er
having m a de my general confession God g ave ,

m e th e gr a ce t o preserve during P a s c hal t ime th e sorro w

t o wh ic h i t ha d given birt h As for my conf ession it
.
.
, s
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 311

wa s s t ill very defec tive M y el as tic c onscience and .

m y wan t o f light preven t ed m y discovering th e faul t s

I se e cle arly no w 3 bu t what I did no t s ay th en I ,

s aid a ft er wards a s y ou m ay im agine 3 a nd if m y con

,

f e ssi o n was imperfec t i t wa s at le a s t sincere ,

It wa s .

on th e e ve of L o w S und ay in S Pe t er s c h urch that ,

.

Fath er O livieri h e ard m y co n fession and g ave me ,

P a sc hal C ommunion .

O n th e s ame d ay I ha d a n int ervie w fo r th e rs t t ime

,

w i th th e pi o us F ath er F rancis of Urbino He a sked me .

if I th ought of en t ering religion O n m y replying in .

t h e n e gat i v e a n arr of s a dness overspre a d h is c o un t e n

,

a nce a nd h e s aid
,
You are no w wh ole 3 sin no more
, ,

go in pe a ce I re turned h ome j oyful and happ y
. .

My soul bei n g puried in th e m a nner I have s tat ed ,

th e d ivine goodness beg a n t o knock more loudl y at th e

door of m y h e art It s voice m a de i t self h e ard no t
.
,

in th e dis tance a s h ere t ofore bu t w ith in me a nd in a , ,

m anner so cle ar a nd dis t inc t that I could no t s t ie i t .

I oft en sh u t m y e ars b ut i t wa s useless bec ause i t , ,

spoke n o t t o m y bod y bu t t o m y soul W h en I beg a n

, .

t o pray i t seemed a s if I w ere going t o th e war for

, ,

th en I fought incess an tl y ag ains t God 3 a nd th ere is no

war so p ainful a s that Ho w ever I never in t er .
,

rupt e d th e c ourse of m y d a il y pr ay ers It happened .

some t imes that fatigu ed w it h m y resis ta nce t o gr a ce

, , ,

God w ould say t o me I a m He Wh o m t h ou desires t
, ,

a n d y e t th e more I c all th e more de af do thy e ars b e

,

come T h e more I pre ss th ee th e more th ou re siste st

.
,

M y l o ve for th ee Well th en m y d aught er go in t o

.
, , ,

th e w orld wh ere thy foll y le a ds th ee 3 th ere th ou w il t

nd no s atisfa c tion for thy desires C onsider m y .
,

de ar fath er that m y mind did no t a ssen t t o th e se

,

w ords ; I t urned th e m over a nd over bu t found n o ,

312 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

res t n or could I re so lve t o ent er religion Ne ve rth e

,
.

le ss in st e a d o f sh ort ening my pr ay er I repe at ed it

, ,

beca use i t was Frid ay and i t seemed that some o n e

,

dre w ne ar t o assis t me I have never been sub

.

j e c t e d t o suc h a S h ock of con t ending feelin gs : at

one momen t w illing t o obey th e c all of gr a ce th e ,

next revol ting agains t i t Bu t at l a s t m y free w ill

,
.
,

whi c h in th e mids t of th e conic t ha d rem ained

neu t ral erec t ed i tself in t o a judge a nd decided i n
, ,

favour of th e Spiri t of God .

Th e submi ssion wa s promp t I d e t ermined wi th .

,

all th e affec tion of m y so ul t o serve t h e L ord a s He

,

wish ed an d was re ad y if necess ary t o su ffer m ar tyrdom

, , , ,

r ath er tha n con t inue t o resis t gra ce or even t o oppos e ,

i t b y sinful del ays I fel t at th e s a me momen t a

.
, ,

livel y desire t o go t o U rbino some th ing whisperin g ,

t o me in t eriorl y that i t wa s onl y th ere that I could serve

God with a t ran quil h e art T h e d e t ermin at i o n wa s
.

to my soul exhaus t ed b y suc h p ainful agitat i o ns what

, ,

a soft bed of o wers w ould have been t o a body ex

h au st e d wi th fat igu e S ince t hat d ay I have ever
.

enj o yed profound pe a ce a nd gre at spiri tu al j o y

,
.

C H APTER III .

S PIRITUAL FAVOURS W HICH

FOLLOW ED HER ENTIRE
CONVERSION .

IT is no w 0 my God that I feel more tha n ever i n

, ,

n eed of T hy a ssi stance having t o re c oun t th ings mor e

,

an gelic t han h um an A ssis t me t h en O L ord I

.
, , ,

be seec h T h ee ; gr an t me th e grac e wo rth il y t o re

coun t Thy admirable bene ts th ose benet s wi th ,

3 14 BLESS ED BATTISTA VARAN I .

and h one y of gl adness an d j o y Bu t what a m I

,
.

doing ! Do I pre t end that I am wri ting all ! I

c anno t an d if I c ould I w ould no t bec ause of th e
, ,

w o rds of th e prop h e t : T hy w ords have I in m y

h e art that I m ay n o t sin ag ains t Th ee
,
I will .

onl y say with th e Sp o use in th e C an ti c les : M y

soul mel t ed wh en He Spoke a nd wi th th e P s almis t : ,

H o w s w ee t a re T hy w ord s t o m y p al at e m o re tha n ,

h oney t o my mou th T hy w ord is exceedingl y re .

ned and Thy serv an t hath loved i t
,
.

I saw cle arl y wi th in me t h e a ccomplish men t of thi s

w ord of th e prop h e t E z e c h iel I n what d ay soever h e ,

S hall t urn from his wickednes s I w ill no t remember ,

all h is ini qui t ies that h e hath done God did .

s till more for me He effa ced th em fro m m y o w n

,

remembrance I could no t indeed remember an y o f

.
, ,

m y former sins a nd I n o longer fel t a n y fe a r 3 and

,

th erefore I plunged in t o a nd submerged myself in a n

,

oce an of love S uc h wa s th e frui t o f m y conversi o n

.
,

wh i c h m ade me u nders tand h o w th e beginning of

wisd o m !that is th e rs t ta s t e of th e divine s w ee t
,
~

ness) is th e fe ar o f th e L ord 3 a nd bec ause th is ta s t e

is s trongl y fel t in proport io n t o th e s t reng th of th e
,

previ o u s fe ar i t wa s w ith o u t me a sure a s m y forme r

, ,

fe ar ha d been .

F or m an y previous y e ars m y h e ar t ha d experienced

a s trong necessity t o l o ve a nd bec ause m y affe c t ion s,
.

le an t t o wards cre at ures I res t rained th em wi th th e

,

rein of di scre t ion for fe ar of compr o mising myself

, ,

bu t wh en th e y incl ined t o wards God I sl a ckened th e ,

rein s an d allo wed th em t o rus h forth impe t uously

,

t o wards m y s w ee t S aviour Wh o no t con t en t w ith , ,

c alling me sh o w ed Himself t o me some t imes under

, ,

th e form of a Fath er some t imes under th e form of a

,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 15

Fri end some times !a nd that th e mos t fre quen tly)

,

under th e form of a loving Spou se W h en He .

de ign s t o e n t er in t o a soul in th is way I believe , ,

from m y o w n li ttle expe ri ence t hat H e gives birth ,

t h ere t o a feeling of divine love so s w ee t a nd deli ,

c io u s that th ere is no th ing in this life w ith wh ic h i t

,

c an be comp ared I f th is feeling ha d no t been tra n

.

si t o r
y I S h ould have w is h ed never t o qui t th is mor ta l
,

life bec ause I fel t a s if I w ere alre ad y in possession

,

of e t ern al life I n t ru th I c anno t imagine an y

.
,

difference be tw een t h is bliss a nd th e j oy s of p ar a dise ,

excep t that wh ic h exis t s be tw een a n uncertain and

ee t in g happiness a nd a certain a nd everl a s ting j oy .

Bu t al as ! th is difference i s no t sm all 3 I w ould s ay

,

r ath er i t is sovereign and inni t e

Beh olding m yself no w on t h e one hand s o t enderl y ,

loved and on th e o th er so gu il ty a nd vicious I coul d

,

no t see m yself o th erwise 3 for wh en th e S un of jus t ic e

en t ers in t o a soul sh e nds h erself enlight ened w i th
,

m arvellous light I some t imes excl aimed full of w on

,

der O m y L ord !if th e demons d ared t o u tt er suc h a

,

bl a sp h emy i t seems t o me th e y mus t reg ard T h ee a s th e

,

friend of vice I beseec h T h ee m y Jesus I conjure T h ee

.
, ,

n o t t o permi t th em t o give T h ee a n a me s o odious I s ay .

th e y might c all T h ee so for I a m bu t ini qui ty a nd y e t

, ,

Th ou lovest me w i th incredible love 0 m y Jesus .

,

ag ain I beseec h T h ee su ffer no t th e demons t o dis ,

h ono ur T h ee bec ause of Th y love for me O ne d ay .

whil e I wa s speakin g thus I h e ard th is lovin g G od re ,

ply Kno w m y d aught er that I am far from bein g th e

, ,

friend of vice I c an w ell rej oice in th ee w ith ou t

. .

loving ini qui ty Since th ou ha s t un til no w preserve d

,

thy inno c ence T his is what I love a nd what I enjo y

.

in th ee No w m y ign o ra nce of spiritu al l angu ag e

.

3 16 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

c aused me n o t t o unders tand this w ord inn ocence .

A ft er se arc h ing for a long t i m e I found in a book t h e

,

follo wing sen t ence b u t i t left me a s mu c h in th e d ark

,

a s ever If th o u c o n tin ue st faithful t o Me I w ill ,

r es t ore t o th ee thy r s t inn o cen c e T his onl y excit ed
.

m y c uriosi ty more bu t I wa s no t long in having i t

,

s atised . A devou t friend c alled on me one d ay t o ,

wh o m I expl ained my difculty a nd this i s th e repl y

,

whi c h I received God pro mised t o that soul t o remi t

h e r sins n o t onl y w i th reg ard t o th e guil t bu t also t o
, ,

t h e puni sh men t . I need no t say h o w agree able this
wa s t o m e 3 c ould i t be o th erwise wh en I had received
,

th e a s surance that God ha d gr an t ed me thi s favour !

I unders t o o d th en wha t my Jesus me a n t b y spe akin g
of my inno c ence bu t I did no t unders tand what He
,

had a dded and I w ould n o t a sk thi s person in ca se

,

i t might be discovered that i t referred t o m yself I .

th en a ddressed myself t o m y Jesus and s aid t o ,

Him : What j o y my S aviour what dele c tat ion and

, , ,

what o bj e c t of love c ans t T h ou nd in m y inno

,

c ence He deign ed t o reply : Wh en I take delight
in thy innocence I take delight i n My self a nd n o t in
, ,

t h ee 3 for this innocence is M y w ork a nd My pro ,

perty 3 wh en th en I rej oice in i t and love i t it is

'

, ,

M yself that I love a nd rej oice in I unders tood b y

.

t h is expl a n at ion that G o d desires a nd loves Himself

a lone in h e a ven a s w ell as on e ar th that He loves
, ;
H i s c reat ures th e more in propor t ion a s He ha s com
,

m un i cat e d Himself more abund a n t l y t o t h em a nd that ,

t h ere are none w orthy of love in th em s elves He left .

me after havinggiven me th is gra nd les son o f humili ty

, ,

o f wh ic h I s t o od mu c h in nee d bei n g in d an ger of b e

,

c oming proud o f H i s favours .

Bu t l e t me bre ak o ff th e subjec t my fath er for the

, ,
318 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

wi th re a son j oi n th eir l amen tations t o mine A n d .

y o u
,
m y fath er w eep for ,
me if y ou ha ve a ,h e a r t tha t
c an feel for yo ur desol at e d aught er !
Thi s is th e w o und whi c h ha s t orn a nd s t il l t e ars m y
bleeding h e ar t : I discover i t t o y ou no w bec ause ,

i t i s no longer possible t o h ide i t A pply a remedy .

if yo u c an 3 or if y ou c anno t give me at le as t y our

, ,

pity ; it w ill al ways be some sol a ce t o m y woe O .

p atience ! O h elp ! h o w I desire y ou ! S orro w con

sumes me so that I a m re a dy t o fain t 3 I a m distra c t ed
,

wi th anguis h and bitt erness kno w ing neith er what I ,

s ay or do P ardon me th en if an y unbecoming
.
, ,

w ords es c ape me Bu t enough of my sorro ws 3 le t me

.

continue m y n arrat ive I wil l recoun t a cc ordin g to

.
,

promis e all th e c o urse of m y spiri tu al life un t il

, ,

th e t ime of m y desol at ion a nd I h ope t hrough th e , ,

gr ac e of G o d t o do so w ith all t ru th a nd simplicity

,
.

He wh o i s th e F lo w er of th e elds th e L il y of th e ,

v alleys a nd wh o feeds among th e l ilie s wish ed

, ,

t o le ave in me m arks of His p a ss age a nd orn amen t ed ,

m y s o ul wit h th ree lilies of ex quisit e perfume 3

th e rs t wa s su ch a n aver sion for th e w orld that if ,

God ha d s aid t o me Moun t th e thr o ne of th e
,

C aes ars wi th th e cer tainty o f being s aved or en t er a

, ,

convent a nd run th e risk of being los t I wo ul d no t ,

have h esitat ed a momen t in giving th e preference t o

th e religious s tat e Bec ause of th e hat red I bore t o
.

th e w o rld I saw no thing in i t that could ple as e me i ts

,

pomp s and i t s ple a sures lled me wi t h disgus t for I ,

s aw in t h e m nei th er p o mp nor gl o ry bu t o nl y a t em ,

o rary h ell th e e a rnes t of a n e t ern a l h ell Be h old

p , .

what th ey are i n re ality ; I say i t t o th e s hame of th ose

wh o th ink di fferently T h e second lily wa s a pro
.

found h umil i ty which m ade me sincerel y bel ieve an d

,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 19

c onfess that th e e ar th bore no t on h er surfa ce a ,

gre at er sinner tha n my self a cre at ure deservi n g t o be ,

condemned by His jus tice a nd s a ved onl y b y pure ,

an ercy .T h e more He sh o w ered His bene t s upon

me th e more un w orthy I believed myself t o be 3 I
,

t h erefore considered His gr a ces no t so muc h a s gift s , ,

bu t a s deposit s wh ic h He conded t o m y c are or r ath er ,

a s funds w i th wh i c h I sh ould t raf c for His bene t Oh

.
.

h o w w or thy of love are th ese tru th s Oh what gr at i

t ude d o I o w e H i m fo r suc h precious ins t ruc t ions Th e
t h ird lil y wa s an a rden t desire of sufferin g
'
S uc h in .

fa c t wa s m y inclin at ion that if i t ha d been proposed,

t o me t o moun t t o h e a ven b y a n y o th er ro a d tha n by

C alv ary I s h ould have refused th e invitat ion I some
, .

t imes s a id t o Him with all th e affec t ion of m y soul

, ,

I f th e good things w ith wh ic h T h ou h onoures t me ,

m y L ord proceed re ally from a sincere h e art wil t Th ou

, ,

ive me proof o f i t b y a ssoci at ing me t o t h e su fferings of

g ,

Thy beloved S on ! He promised that He w ould and ,

He kep t His promis e for sin c e th en I have drunk at

,

le a s t four t imes th e chalice of bitt erness even t o

s at ie ty .

S oon aft er th is I fell il l of a si c kness fro m wh ic h ,

I have suffered fo r th irt een y e ars I have al way s .

b o rne i t w ith inc o n c eivable j o y ex c ep t for th is l a s t ,

y e ar wh en i t seemed that I c ould be ar i t no longer

,
.

I do n o t glory in t h is m y fath er bu t I re turn all

, ,

glor y t o th e L ord fo r I kn o w that p atience is one

,

o f His gift s A ft er th e rs t seven mon th s !

. during
wh i c h t ime I wa s every minu t e at th e poin t of
de ath) I wa s able t o le ave m y bed
,
It wa s th en .

that Fath er Gregory wh o n o w !if w e m ay t rus t

,

th e univers al belief) reigns in h e aven taught me ,

t o meditat e on th e Pa ssion of our L ord b y reci tin g ,

3 20 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

th e c hapl e t of His h ol y Mo th er whi c h occupied m e ,

th ree h ou rs every d ay T his dev o tion procured m e

.

unspe ak able s wee tnes s and inexhaus t ible consol ations

,
.

O ne d ay in p ar ticul a r wh il s t I con t empl at ed th e

,

gl o ri o us mys t ery of th e Tran sguration I received ,

s u c h h e avenl y promises that I c an n o t no w h e ar i t

,

men tioned wi th ou t m y h e ar t p alpitat ing w i th jo y .

Th ere is no th ing more t rue than th e w o rds of th e

pr o ph e t : Tas t e a nd se e I kno w i t b y m y o wn
.

experience for as soon a s I ha d tas t ed I s aw that

, ,

God alone deserved t o be loved From that momen t .

I experienced a burning desire t o be h old th e be au ty o f

H is coun t en ance a nd my pr ay ers w ere all more or less
,

l anguis h ing desires of love Al l c re at ures seemed t o .

invi t e me t o c o n t empl at e th is divine L o ver T h e .

sight of a bl a de of gr a ss or of a o wer was su fc ient

, ,

t o rec all t o me His sovereign be au ty an d in ame m y ,

h e art E ac h t ime I t urned my ey es t o wards th e

.

h e avens th e ps alm C oeli e n arran t c ame int o m y
,

mind and I c ried
,
O m y Je su s ! if T hy w o rks are
,

so be au t iful what th en mus t be th e splendour of T hy

,

Fa c e ! Sh o w T hys elf t o me I be s ee c h T h ee m y good

, ,

Mas t er s h o w T hys elf t o me sh o w Thyself t o me

,

What ple a sure c ans t T h ou take in seeing m e l an guis h

fo r so l o ng a t i m e ! T h ou alone a rt m y life a nd m y
h o pe 3 T h o u alone a rt all m y l o ve W hy th en dos t .
, ,

T h o u h ide T hyself ! Why dos t T h ou deprive me of th e

s ight of T hy fair coun t e n a n c e ! Duri n g th e t ime
o f wh i c h I spe ak I did no t y from H im a s I ha d
,

d o ne before 3 o n th e con tr ary I pur sued Him s aying , ,

I run after Th ee t o th e o dour o f Thy oin t men t s so ,

superior t o all perfumes S h o w T hyself t o me a nd I

.

shall be con t en t Oh that th o u w ould s t kiss me

.

wi th a kiss of T hy Mou th .

3 22 BLESS ED BATTISTA VARANI .

His s t eps w ere quick for on th e con t ra ry th e y w ere

,

slo w bu t He walked wi th ou t ever s t opping His

,
.
.

wais t wa s very th in an d gir t wi th a golden b and

, ,

a bou t th e bre ad th of tw o ngers He was taller tha n .

u

any m an I had ever seen b y a h e a d a nd s h oulders , .

His golden hair wh ic h wa s slightly crisp o at ed

, ,

o ver His s h o ulders a nd re a c h ed t o His gir d le S o me .

thing a dorned His He ad bu t I c a nno t say wheth er i t ,

wa s a cro wn or di a dem or a simple circle t o f roses

,

and o th er o w ers I am inclined t o believe a s He

.
,

wa s a rr ay ed w i th th e m agnicence of a h e avenl y
King that I wa s con sidered un w orthy t o beh old
,

Him I could never describe th e effec t of His golden

.

hair mingled w i th th e d azzling wh it eness of His robe

, ,

a s i t o at ed over His bro a d s h oulders Al l that I .

c an s ay is that en chan t ed with th e rich ness o f His

, ,
.

app arel a nd still more b y His m aj es ty and gr a ce I

, ,

remained stu p e e d w i th a d m ir at i o n .

During th e tw o y e ars and a half that I con t inued

in th e w orld a fter m y c onversion prep aring for th e ,

c omple t e s a c ri c e I w is h ed t o m a ke o f m y self t o God ,

He gave me m an y o th er gra ces and gift s of wh ic h I ,

w ill say n o thing a s i t is bett er t o be silen t tha n

,

t o spe ak o f su c h e x t ra o rdin ary things at th e ri sk of

int errup t ing th e pe ace whi c h m y h e ar t enj o ys I .

ought h o w ever t o t ell y ou t hat during th is t ime of

, , ,

t ran quillity God s h o w ed me all th e t ri als t o wh ic h I

sh o uld be subje c t ed at a l at er period His in t ent i o n .

was d o ub tle ss t o en able me t o supp o r t th em w i th

a s mu ch prudence as resign at i o n 3 bu t al a s ! my ,

fath er I c ann o t c o n c e al i t I have neith er done one

, ,

nor th e o th er I h ave a c t ed quit e cont rary t o what

.

a fa i th ful s h eep w ould ha ve d one a nd n o w I a m con ,

d e m n e d t o w eep for m y folly : 0 all y e wh o p a ss

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I . 3 23

b y th e way of divine love att end a nd see if th ere ,

b e an y sorro w like t o mine M y soul once th e .

,

spouse of th e L ord init i at ed in t o His secre t s and

, ,

brough t u p in sc arle t is no w reduced t o d w ell on a

,

dungh ill bec ause sh e allo w ed h erself t o be seduce d

,

by th e deceit s of th e devil [ It is needless t o ad d .

t hat i t is h er h umili ty wh ic h m akes h er spe ak th us fo r ,

n o th ing in h er c o ndu c t w ould jus tify th is l amen tat ion !

T h ere is a t ime for everything T h e momen t o f .

a fic t ions a nd t ri als arrived t o prove wh e th er my ,

vir tue wa s gold or le ad a nd I ha d muc h t o su ffer

,

bo th in b o dy a nd soul Be sides th e illnesses w i th

.

wh ic h G od afi c t ed me I wa s th e obj ec t of a very

,

p ainful perse c u t ion th e au th or of wh ic h I a m no t at

,

liberty t o n ame .

[ P a scucci
,
th e h is t o ri a n of h er life expl a ins i t th us ,

Her fath er wh o bec a me s overe ign of C amerino b y

,

th e de at h of h i s n eph e w Nich ol a s Varan i wa s no t

, ,

s at ised w i th bein g n amed general i n c hief of th e - -

t roop s of th e V ene t i an repub l ic bu t w ish ing t o i n , ,

cre a se th e spl e nd o ur o f h is famil y b y a ric h alli ance ,

h e did all in h i s p o w er t o fo r c e h i s d aught er in t o a

certain m arri age as w e sh al l presen tl y see !
,

Every t emp t atio n wa s e m pl o y ed t o overcome me ;

a t rs t promise s a nd at t e ri e s th en th re at s wh i c h , ,

ended in m y being i m pris o ned 3 bu t b y th e gra ce of ,

God c aresses m ade n o i m pre s sion on m y h e ar t nor

, ,

prom ises ei th er T hre at s ex c it ed in me a s trong desire

.

t o s e e th em fullled a nd imprisonmen t o n l y re n

dered m y de t ermin ati o n more xed At leng th .

all th is ended like th e Egyp ti an c ap tivi ty God

,
.

w ith dre w me from th e hands of th e po w erful Phar ao ,

wh ose hardn ess of h e ar t l a s t ed tw o ye ars and a h alf ,

Lam en t i 12 . . .

21 2
-
3 24 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I . .

and wh o ended b y s aying t o me wi th h is o w n mou th

I y ield t o th e L ord W h o s e venge a nce I dre a d Th e .
,

f e ar of draw in g u pon myself His venge ance alone ,

f orces me t o res t ore y our liber ty Oth erwise y ou .

never w ould have ob tained m y consen t t o become a .

nun .

I e scap e d th en from Egy p t wh ere a yoke of iron ,

ha d cru sh ed me for so long a nd I c ame ou t l aden

'

wi th spiri tu al rich es I p a ssed th e Red S e a dry sh od

.
-
.

I unders ta nd b y th e Red S e a th e purple a nd h onour

of sovereign ty brilli an t c hi mer a s wh i c h seduce m an
, ,

kind bu t whi c h conce al muc h misery and end in

, ,

smoke Wh en s afe a cross I tu rned m y h e a d t o look

.
,

b ack and saw P har a o and hi s h os t overwh elmed in

,

th e waves 3 that is t o s ay th e devil w ith a ll h is s tr ata

,

gems all hi s sins a nd vices

,
A ft er ha ving re turned .

thanks t o God my Deliverer I plunged in t o th e deser t ,

which wa s t o le a d me t o th e promised l and 3 that is ,

t o spe ak wi th ou t gure I w en t t o th e mon a s t ery of

,

U rbino wh ere y ou my fath er w ere w i t ness t o my j o y

, , , ,

whi c h forced me t o cry w ith Mar y th e sis t er of ,

Moses L e t us sing t o th e L ord fo r He is gloriousl y
, ,

m agni ed 3 th e h o rse and h is rider He hath th ro w n

in t o th e You might nd o th ers m y fath er , ,

wh o renounced th e w orld a s w illingl y a nd wi th a s ,

much ple asure a s m y self bu t no t wi th more j o y and

,

h e art iness ! ou have perhaps been surprised b y m y

.

comp aring my self t o th e chi ldren of I sra el bu t ,

I c anno t n d a more s t rikin g comp arison 3 for God

lo a ded me with espe c i al gr a ces a s He did th em a nd , ,

like th em I have re sis t ed His goodness wi th in vin

,

cible hardness of h e art .

P
[ erhaps th e re ader m ay wis h t o kn o w wh y B at
Ex o d x v l . . .
3 26 BLES SED BATTISTA VA RA NI .

C HAPTER IV .

WH AT S H E HAD TO SUFFER DURING H RR N OVICIATE .

HER RETURN TO CAMERIN O W HERE SHE RE ,

C EI VED GREAT FAVOURS FROM HEAVEN AND , ,

AM ONG OTHERS A VISIT FROM S CLARE

,
. .

U NTIL no w my fath er I have been givi n g y ou th e

, ,

h is t ory of m y spiritu al life during th e t im e that th e

,

glorious V irgin M ary t ouc h ed b y m y pray ers c o mm u

, ,

n i cat e d t o me a sp ark of divine love I t was indeed .

, ,

bu t a sp ark de ta c h ed from that furn a ce whi c h burns in

,

e t erni ty 3 y e t i t kindled suc h a re in m y h e ar t that ,

I could sc arcely suppor t th e delight ful h e at whic h ,

Oft en compelled me t o cr y ou t No more L ord no , , ,

7)
more . I will no w t ell y o u what o ccurred t o me
wh en I wa s clo th ed wi th th e habi t of S Fr ancis An . .

old w rit er s ay s that w e mus t re tire in t o solit ude t o

h e ar th e s inging of birds t o bre ath e th e perfume of
,

ow ers t o con t empl at e th eir brillia n t c olours and

, ,

t o discover th e h idden dw ellin g pl a ces of a nim als -

.

S c arcel y ha d I en t ered th e s a cred mon as t ery of Urbin o ,

tha n I foun d th ere simil a r ple a sures 3 th e ha rmonio u s

chan t of th e divine pr aises th e be a u ty of e difying
,

e x ample a nd if I d are s ay so th e d w elling pl ace of

, , ,
-

gr a ces a nd celes t i al gi ft s Po w erfully moved a nd

.

urged b y th e H o ly S pirit I fel t with in me a burn ing

,

d esire t o pene tr at e int o t h e cen tre of th e deser t ; that

is t o say int o th e dep th s of th e He art of m y m
, os t
s w ee t Jesus and t o discover th ere His mos t hid d en
,

griefs I renounced th erefore a s muc h as possible

.
, , ,

th e m ann a of h e avenly s wee tnes s es ; no t that I wa s

t ired of th em, a s th e ungrat eful Je wis h people w ere
,
 B LESSED BATTISTA VARAN I . 327

b ut
bec a use I ha d a profound feelin g of my o w n un
w orthiness a nd fe a red be sides that th ese a n ticip at ed
,

p ay men t s w ere dr aw n from th e c a pi ta l of m y fu t ure

h appiness in h e a ven I th erefore besoug ht m y G od
.
,

w i th a pure a nd sincere h e ar t t o nouris h t o s at i at e ,

, ,

an d t o ll me w i th th e sorro wful p a in wh ic h m y Jesus

h ad endured in His cruel P a ssion a nd t o le t me drink ,

lo n g draught s from His bi tt er c halice T h is wa s in

.
.
,

deed th e only wan t wh i c h m y soul fel t a nd h er o nl y

, ,

desire 3 so that I could say w i th th e Spouse in th e

C a n t icles A bundle of myrr h is m y beloved t o me 3
,

h e s hall abide be tw een m y

I resolved th en t o emplo y m y wh ole time of pr ay er in
medi tat ion on th e P a ssion of Jesus C h ris t no t wi sh ing
:
,

t o occup y my self w i th aught else in order t o plu n ge

w i th al l t h e vigour a nd impe tuosi ty of m y soul in t o ,

th e se a of bitt erness wh ic h inund at ed His S acred

He ar t An d h o w could I no t desire O m y beloved
.
,

Jesus t o pene tr at e in t o T hy loving He ar t wh ere I

, , .

kne w m y n ame wa s wri tt en in le tt ers of gold ever ,

sin ce th e m anifes tat ion T h ou di ds t deign t o m ake to

me Oh ! h o w bright th e y appe ared on th e crim son

o f T hy divine He ar t th ose l arge gol d en le tt ers I ,
,

love th ee C amill a
,
T h ou dids t gr an t me th is favo u r
.
,

O m y good Jesus ! bec ause I could no t unders tand

'

that T h ou ha ds t for me suc h a t ender love Ho w .

is i t I once s aid t o T h ee
,
h o w is i t that T h ou

c ans t love suc h a w icked cre at ure ! I c an no t do

o th erwise T h ou dids t reply for th y n ame is wri tt e n
, ,

in My He ar t a nd th en lif t in g T hy gloried Ar m ,

T h ou m a des t me re a d th e w ords across th e Wo un d of

T h y He ar t 0 my soul wh y dos t th ou no t tak e
.
,

c our age an d condence at th e remembr an ce o f th is

C an t i 1 2
. . .
3 28 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

goodness th is love of t h y beloved Jesus ! T h ou wil t

,
.

s ay t o me I kn o w that i t i s n o t possible
, ,
Al a s ! i t .

is t oo t rue that t h is remembrance ins t e a d of e n

, ,

c o uragi n g me pierc es m y h e art a nd forces me t o

, ,

cry ou t in l amentati o n O all y e wh o p a ss b y th e
,

way o f divine l o ve att end and see if th ere be a n y

,

sorro w like t o mine .

Bu t t o re t urn A ft er havi n g persevered du u ng tw o

.

ye ars in meditat i o n on th e P a ssion of C h ris t w i th t h e ,

desire of p artaking of His su fferings I wa s in troduce d ,

by an a dmir able gr a ce of th e Holy Spirit in t o th e ,

s a cred bed o f His divine He art whi c h con tains a n ,

ocea n o f bitt erness o f wh i c h neith er m an nor an ge l

,

can me a sure th e dep th Ho w oft en s h ould I have been

.

submerged in t h i s oce an if G o d ha d no t sus tained me ,

b y His po w erful Arm : for I ha d mu c h more di fficul ty

in supporting th e bitt ernes s of m y sorro w s than th e
s wee t ness of His l o ve T h erefo re I oft en s aid wi th all
.

th e fervour of m y soul No more m y L ord n o m o re 3, , , .

if I plunge deeper in th is o c e an I s hall be s wallo w ed ,

up ,
for i t ha s nei th er bo tt om nor s h ore T h en m y .

G o d w ould appe ar t o me no lo n ger a s a p ar a dise b u t ,

.

a s a h ell A n d indeed in m y si m pli c i ty I oft en g av e

.
, ,

Him th is n ame ; fo r no o th er seemed t o sui t Him

s o w ell . I will say no thi ng furth er on th is subj ec t
now a s I int end t o recur t o i t aga in but th ere is one
, ,

o bserv at ion I believe I ought t o m ake n amely that .

, ,

al th ough my in t erior p ains w ere a s dre a dful a s i t wa s

possible for my soul a ssis t ed b y th e Hol y Spiri t t o
, ,

he ar th ey w ere t o th e sufferings of my Jesus b u t a s

,

a gr a in of sand t o h e aven a nd e arth .

During th ese t wo y e ars wh ich I spent in th e mon a s ,

be ry of U rbino before re t urning t o m y o wn coun t ry

, ,

m y soul wa s fert iliz ed b y benign inuences o f

3 30 BLESS ED BATTI STA VARAN I .

i t, bu t on th e cle ar kno wledge I ha d of i t myself : a nd

w ould t o G od that a ll sinners w ere as certa in of th eir
s alvat ion a s I a m of th e tru th of th is fac t I s i t that .

I glory in i t ! C er tain ly no t for I could never believe

,

that th e a ngels w ould rejoice in th is m anner over me ,

bu t over th e gre at a dv an tages wh i c h my mon as t ery

w ould a ft er a t ime derive from m y profession and over ,

th e a c quisition of a soul wi th drawn b y gr a ce from th e

,

w orld No w thi s double even t wh ic h rej oiced th e

.

angels could n o t fail t o disple a se th e devil 3 th erefore

,

h e avenged hi mself by r aising th e t empes t of which

I spe ak .

You my fath er w ere elec t ed th is s ame ye ar

, ,

vi c ar o f your order in th is pro vince a charge wh ic h

,

y o u ha d no t ha d f o r a long t ime before a nd wh i c,

h
sin c e th en ha s no t been imposed on y ou Am I .

deceived in believing that h e aven arr anged i t th u s ,

in order that h e wh o ha d been th e ins trumen t of

m y c o nversion S h ould c on tinue and t ermin at e t h e
w o rk ! You c o n tinued i t indeed b y sus taining me in
, ,

this gre at t ri al 3 a nd yo u nis h ed i t b y re es tablish ing -

m e in th e pe a c e wh i c h I have enj o y ed sin c e S ep t ember ,

a nd th e sw eet ness o f wh i c h I s till ta s t e It is t rue that

.

y o u ha ve ha d mu c h t o su f
f er from th is t empes t wh ic h ,

a gi tat ed every h ouse of th e order in th e province a nd ,

even secul ars of all r ank s 3 bu t w as i t no t tt in g

that i t sh ould be s o Sin c e y ou ha d been th e c a use of
,

s o muc h good Besides I kno w t hat th e trouble

,

wh ich this affair cos t y ou ha s no t been wi th ou t i t s

re ward for th ough thi s mon a s t ery wa s th e c ause of
,

muc h vex ation t o y ou y e t yo u have s hared in th e

,

good wh ic h i t ha s d o ne a nd s t ill con t inues t o do

, .

A n d al th ough y ou opposed th e selec t ion of th is si t e ,

G o d c hanged your opinion a nd i t was you yourself,

,
 BL ESSED BATTISTA VARAN I . 33 1

wh o b y y our a u th ori ty enclosed u s h ere an d thus i n ,

s t i t u t ed th is h ol y mon a s t ery F l y if y ou w ill from .

, ,

th is h ouse of C amerino You have no wh ere else done

.

so muc h good a s at C amerino T h erefore th e devil .

,

wh o kno w s h o w m u c h harm y ou have done h im c auses ,

y o u t o dislike th e pl a ce I sa y th is t o.you my fath er , ,

wi th li al con fidence *
.

Wh en I had wi th m y comp anions taken possession

, ,

o f th e mon a s t er y in vir t ue of th e A pos t oli c rescrip t ,

I ha d no scruple on th e subj ec t of m y t ransfer for ,

God had m a de kno wn t o me in a speci al m anner that , ,

i t wa s agree able t o His M aj es ty Ye t i t ple a sed His .

goodness t o give me for m y consol at ion a s till more

.

m anifes t Sign of His Will in th is m att er T h e second .

F rid ay a ft er our en t r a nce S is t er C on sta nce wh o m y ou

, ,

kn o w w ell wa s Spinning beside me wh ile I wa s

, ,

s e wing ; sh e beg a n t o sing th e hy mn A ni m a bene ,

de tta d all al t o C re at ore &c

O soul blessed b y
, .
,

th e Mos t Hig h C re at or &c Wh en sh e ha d nis h ed,
.

th e rs t verse I s ang th e second a nd so w e con ,

t in u e d al t ern at el y u n t il w e c a me t o th e w ords Ris ,

Th e gin o f t hi s m o aste ry i s t h u s de sc ri b e d by th e
o ri n

h i st o ri an W a di n g :
Ju l iu s C ae sar Var an i wi shin g to give ,

h i s d au g h t e r a c o n ve n t at C am e ri n o b e s o u g h t th e Ro m an ,

p o n tiff t o !give u p t o h im t h e m o n ast e ry o f S C on st an c e .

,

whi c h was f alli n g in t o ru i s a d c o n t ain e d o nl y o n e o l d n n

n ,
n u ,

t h at wi t h th e m at e ri al s h e m i g h t b u i l d an o th e r in a m o re c o n
v e n i e n t p la c e f o r t h e d au g h t e rs o f S C l are u n de r th e in vo c a.
,

t i o n o f S M ari a N u o va an d t h e d i r e c ti o n o f t h e fat h e rs o f
.
,

S F ran c i s Th e Po p e g ra t e d h is re qu e st o n t h e fo ll o win g
. . n

c o n d i t io n s z l s t T h at t h e c h u rc h o f t h e an c ie n t m o n as te ry

.

s h o u l d b e p re se rve d an d re p aire d 2 d T h at t h e n e w c o m
. n .

m u i t y s h o u l d g ive a p e n si o n fo r l i fe to t h e Ol d n u n wh i c h
n ,

w as ac c o r din gly d o n e I t w a s in t o t hi s c o n v e n t t h at B at t i sta

.

e n t e re d, w i t h s e ve n o t h e r n u n s o f S C l are o n t h e 4th o f .
,

J an u ary ,
332 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

gu ard a quelle m ani ri sgu ard a quelli piedi risgu ard a

, ,

quel cos tat o

Be h o ld t h e s e H a nd s be h old th e s e

,

F ee t beh old th is S ide wh en sorro w rendered me
, ,

mu t e and I fell int o th e arms of m y sist er S h e at

,
.

rs t believed that th is proceeded merel y from p hysi c al

c auses bu t m y distress wa s purel y spiri tu al
,
My .

soul wa s enrap tured b y th e c o n t e m pl at ion of th e

afi c t ed Mo th er wh en sh e received int o h er a rms th e
,

de a d bod y o f h er a dor able S on I h e ard mos t dis .

t in c tl y th e mournful voice of th e mos t h ol y Mo th er 3

I h e ard th e loving and afi c t ed M ary Magd alen crying

o ut,
O m y M a s t er ! Th e pl ain t ive voice of th e
beloved di sciple J o h n also sounded in m y e ar s aying ,

in a lo w voice : My Fath er ! m y Br o th er ! and m y

Mas t er ! I h e ard also th e l ament at i o ns of t h e o th er :

beloved M aries I re m ained in thi s stat e from t h e

.

h our o f compline un til th e second h our of th e n ight ,

and i t w ould have l a s t ed muc h longer ha d I no t m a d e ,

.

a gre at e ffor t t o rec all m y Spiri t a nd relieve t h e ,

sorrow of m y sist ers 3 for I some times h e ard th em

w eeping al th ough I wa s in th e st ate of r ap t ure and
'

, ,

t h eir a fic tion m a de th e t e ars o w from m y ey es .

A t o th er t imes wh en I h e ard th e v o ice of th e glori o us

,

Virgin M ary my soul seemed t o have left my bod y

, ,

and I perceived none of th e th ing s of th is w orld .

W h en I c ame t o m yself I experienced su c h exce ssive

,
:

exhaus tion and sorro w that for more than a fo rt night

,

aft er ward s I lo o ked like a corpse risen from th e grave .

Befo re this even t th e my s t ery of M ary w i th t h e

Body of h er S on in h er arms ha d never presen t ed i t self
t o m y mind Wh en I ha d applied m yself t o medi tat e
.

on th e P a ssion i t wa s ei th er th e agon y of m y S aviour

,

in th e G arden of O lives o r His cru c ixion wh i c h ah

, ,

sorbed m y att ent ion 3 bu t from th is momen t I bec am e

3 34 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

during hi s life and continues t o w ork

,
He c ame n o w. .

fro m t ime t o t ime t o our mon a st ery O ne d ay h e .

a sked me in presen c e of m y Sis t ers Ar e you no t
, ,

S is t er B attis ta Var ani O n m y replying in th e

a ffirm ative h e said
,
Prep are y our confession m y
, ,

d aught er fo r I wis h t o h e ar i t before I go
,
I .

have no need t o confess my fath er I replied , It , .

is by inspir at ion that I a sk th is of you my d aught er , ,

h e said ; y ou mus t expi at e y our sins ; I kno w y ou

have need of i t I have no t m y fath er I an
.
, ,

s we re d 3 bu t h e insis t ed s aying S end away y our, ,

s is t ers a nd confess for God w ills i t
,
S eeing that .
.

I s till re sis t ed h e s aid ag ain
,
Why do yo u refuse ,

t o m ake y our c onfession ! I a ns wered that I refused
bec au s e i t wa s no t necess ary T his repl y seemed t o .

di sple ase h im a nd h e s aid
,
A way w i th y ou ! y ou ,

ha d bett er reconsider th e m att er Oh my fath er .
, ,

y ou w ere t oo good t o suc h a n ungr at eful cre at ur e

He dep ar t ed a nd I wa s n o t sorry ; bu t th e next
,

d ay I wa s t ormen t ed b y remorse of c onscience a nd ,

a s hamed of myself s aying I have be haved very i ll
, ,

t o th i s g o od fath er C er tainl y wh en h e re turns I

.

will c onfess t o h im a s h e desires In th e me an .

t ime I wro t e t o h i m t o a sk his p ardon S ome d ay s .

aft erward s I fel t a n ext ra ordin ar y de sire t o c onfe ss t o

h im T h e L ord sh ed upon me th e light o f H is gra c e
.
,

and I per c eived in myself m an y thi n g wh i c h n e c "

l ige n c e in m y ex amin ation s ha d h i t h er t o preven ted

me from discovering and confessing From that mo .

men t I had no rep o se and I wro t e t o hi m l e tt er upon

,

le tt er besee ch ing h im t o have pity o n m y s o ul an d

, ,

ha s t en a s mu ch a s p o ssible h is re turn t o C amerino ;

bu t like a skilful physici an h e r ath er del ayed in
, , ,

order t o re n der m y de sire more arden t s t ill as ,

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 33 5

he a ckno wledged a ft er wards I ha d t o w a i t un til

.

th e fe as t of th e s tigm ata of S Fr a ncis bu t th e .

,

gr a ce of G od kne w h o w t o render th is a pro t

able t ime t o me Never did I s h ed suc h abund an t
.

and bitt er t e ars over m y sins a s w ell th ose I ha d con

,

fessed as th ose I ha d n o t T h e sorro w I fel t for having

.

offended th e inni t e g o odness of G od inspired me w i th ,

suc h hatred of m y self that I e arn e stl y desired t o becom e

,

a n obj ec t of de t es tat ion t o th e good fath er 3 bu t G o d

promised me that on th e con t rary I s h ould be more
, ,

loved tha n before wh en I s h ould have m ade kno w n

,

t o h im all m y miseries I n re ality on h e aring m y

.
,

general confession h e wa s so muc h consoled a nd

,

ple a sed by m y frankness and repen tance that h e b e ,

s t o w ed o u me h is h ol y friends h ip and preferred m e ,

aft er wards t o all h is spirit u al d aught ers I c an .

a ssure y ou that aft er th is confession of all th e sin s of

m y p a s t life I wa s lled w i th gre at er consol at i o n and
,

j o y tha n h e wa s a nd since th en I have been in con

,

s tan t t r an quillity .

S ome d ay s a ft er th i s no t o nl y wh ile I wa s pr ay i n g
, ,

bu t ne arl y al way s I ha d a vi si o n of a religious o f m y

,

o w n order o f th e mos t r avish ing be a u ty a nd in

, ,

t h e bl a ck veil like one of our s elves 3 I saw h e r

more dis tinc tl y tha n if I ha d seen h er w ith m y
bodily e y es and w ith a ple asure whi c h th e Sight o f
,

no cre at ure ha d ever in spire d Sh e fo ll o w ed m e .

everywh ere and sh o w ed h er l o ve fo r me b y smil i n g

,

w i th th e mos t gra c i o u s and c ares sing air 3 and my j o y

was so in t ense that I wa s c o n t inu all y in a s tat e b o rder
,

i n g on ecs ta sy I t ried t o guess wh o s h e c ould be wh i c h

.
,

seemed t o ple a se h er exceedin gl y 3 a nd I th ough t I

h e ard h er say Do y ou no t kno w me ! E ac h time
,

th at sh e appe a red t o me ! for I did no t e njo y h er con s

3 36 BLESSED B ATTISTA VARANI .

t in u al presence) I knel t before h er ins t inct ivel y wh e

, ,

th er I wa s at th e grat e o r at table or occupied in, ,

w ork I n v ain wo uld S h e sign t o me t o rise ; I

.

per sis t ed in re taining th e pos t ure I th ought tting

t o wards suc h a ven er able person age T h e more I .

c on t empl at ed h er be au ty th e more I was r a vis h ed b y

,

i t and I could n o t compreh end h o w sh e could love

,

suc h a cre at ure a s me T h ese app arit ions w ere oft en

.

repe at ed during ft een d ays bu t I have never ha d ,

th e m since that period I forgo t t o men tion that .

sh e appe ared t o be abou t for ty y e ars old .

I wa s far from suspec t ing that th is nun wa s S .

C l are our o w n glorious mo th er

,
T h i s th ought never .

c ame in t o my mind for I ha d never ha d th e desire t o

,

see h er excep t in h e aven ; bu t if y ou w is h t o kno w

,

what I th ought my fath er I will t ell y ou in a ll sim

, ,

p li c i ty U
. n t il th e n I ha d al way s refu sed t o receive

nuns from o th er conven t s wh o a sked a d mi ssion in ,

w h i c h I wa s a c t u at ed b y a right z e al I a ccordi ngl y .

th ought that God :wish ed t o in troduce h ere th is

person wh om I saw a nd that He s h o w ed h er to me
,

before hand t o propiti at e me in h er fa vour 3 a nd this

m a de me s ay int eriorl y I will w illingly receive
,

s uc h a religious for h er a spe c t alone is enough t o

,

l l us wi th c onsol at i o n It wa s no t un til th ese
.

visions ha d ce a sed that i t c ame in t o m y min d that

,

perhap s i t might be our gl o rious mo th er and th e ,

th ou ght inspired me w ith th e mos t t ender devo ti o n

t o wards h er No w I have no d oub t that i t was
.

s h e a nd if ever I attain t o h e aven wh ic h th roug h

, ! ,

th e meri t s of th e Blo o d o f C hris t I h ope :to d o ) , ,

I s hall recogniz e h er w i th ou t dif c ul ty in th e mids t

o f all t h e glorious h o s t a nd I will embr a ce h er fondl y
, ,

s ayin g ,
O m y mos t s wee t mo th er ! i t is you wh o
.
338 BLESSED B ATTISTA VARAN I .

serap h im t o suc h a degree that I spoke of th em in c e s

san tl y
,
and prayed w ith th e mos t t ender affec tion t o
have one of th e m sen t t o me a s h ad been don e t o ,

th e prop h e t I sa ias .

Af t er havin g m a de thi s pr ay er con t inu ally for

sever al d ays wi th ou t ob taining what I a sked one
, ,

morning before prime I a ddres s ed m yself t o th e

Mo th er of G od a nd s aid t o h er w ith h oly impa
,

tien c e 0 mos t s w ee t M ary ! 0 !ueen of i n c o m par

a ble goodnes s I kno w that
,
th ou reignes t over th e
angels a nd that th ey a ll a re e ager t o full thy w ill
, .

C omm and th en I beseec h th ee o n e o f th e ser aphi m t o

, ,

y t o wards me a s one did t o wards th e proph e t I s ai a s 3

,

th ou kno w es t O m y mos t h ol y Mo th er with what

, ,

a rdour I desire th is gr a ce I wa s s till sp ea king wh en
.
,

th e Mo th er of G o d t o uc h ed b y m y pr ay er promised of
, ,

h er o wn a ccord what I w is h ed wh i c h c aused me t o ,

feel Ext ra ordin ary j o y S o me d ay s aft er having s aid

.
,

m at ins at night I c on t inued t o pr ay a nd i t c ame in t o

, ,

m y mind t o meditate on th e gre at ne ss of th e love

o f G o d for His c re at ures T h i s me th od of pr ay er
.

wa s no t usu al with me y e t I fo ll o w ed i t bec ause

, ,

m y mind i s a c cus t omed t o foll o w th e att ra ction

wh ic h comes fro m God I began th erefo re, t o se arc h
.
,

f o r th is love in th e s m alles t a nd mos t abj ec t thi n gs ,

bu t wa s s oon t r a nspor t ed in a n ine ff able m anner t o

th e c on t empl at ion o f th e mos t sublime a nd mos t
d ivine things 3 that is t o say I plunged in t o so v a s t,

a nd s o deep a se a that more than on c e I desired t o

,

wi th draw bu t could no t What p assed w i thi n me

, .

wa s nei th er re as o ning nor vision bu t a c er ta in li ght , ,

whi ch is al t oge th er in explic able I w ill rel at e o nl y .

th ree th in gs for y our consol ation .

T h e rs t is that th ose wh o con t empl at e th e gre at

,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I . 339

an d innumer able bene t s w ith wh ic h th e mos t boun

t iful a nd mos t clemen t G od ha s fa voured th em i m ,

medi at el y recogniz e th emselves t o b e burdened wi th

t wo deb t s wh ic h th ey c a n never p ay : I me a n th e
,

l ove w i th wh i c h He ha s rs t loved u s a nd th e P assion ,

H e ha s w illed t o endure for us W ha t indeed c a n w e

.

d o t o a ckno wledge sui tably t h ese i m mense bene t s !

T h e second is th at all our love for G od might be c alled
,

h at red 3 a ll our pr aises m aledic t ions 3 all our thanks

,

g ivings ,
bl a sp h e mi es 3 so remo t e a re th ese sen t i m en t s
from th e sublime degree l n whi ch th e y ought t o be
f ound in us . T h e th ird th ing wh ic h I perceived very
c le arly wa s ,
that th e a ugus t M ary th e Mo th er of ,

God h erself t o ge th er w i th all men a nd all angel s

, ,

could no t re t urn a de qu at e tha nks for even th e produc

t i o n of th e sm alles t o w er be c a use th ere is a n inni t e
,

d iff erence be tw een th e ex c ellen c e of th e C re at or an d

th e lo wness o f His cre at ures .

No w m y fath er y ou c an e a sil y unders tand th e

, ,

ab y ss in t o wh ich I saw myself de scending in cont em

pl at ing th e immense benet s I h ad received from m y
G od . Th en I re ally desp aired of myself a nd all my ,

be s t w orks seemed as n o th ing I renoun c ed from .

m y h e ar t all Spiritu al j oy fro m t h e fe ar of a dding

,

deb t t o deb t ingr at i tude t o ingrat i tude 3 s o t hat ha d

,

Jesus C hris t appe ared t o me t h en I sh ould have closed ,

m y e y e s rml y n o t t o se e H i m Pro strat ing my self

.

w i th m y fa c e t o th e ground I be s ought m y God t o

,

keep me c o ns tan tly atta ch ed t o th e F ee t of Jesus

cru c ied un t il my l ast h our a nd to punis h me aft er
,

wards for all th e ti m e I ha d p a ssed th ere a s if I ha d ,

employ ed i t i n bl asp h e m ing and be tr aying Him p e r ,

su ad e d that if I did no t emplo y i t th us i t w oul d b e

.

22 2
 3 40 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

en tirely o wing t o His merc y In s h ort I b esbugh t

.
,

Him t o pl a ce me aft er m y de ath in th e posit ion most

conform able t o His good ple a sure decl aring t o H im ,

th at I was re ady t o descend in t o h ell if He w ill ed i t ,

bec ause His h o l y Wil l wa s th e onl y obj ec t of m y

desires a nd that I w is h e d no o th er re ward no o th e r
, ,

be atit ude no o th er gl o ry tha n that

,
.

A t th e sight of th e immense l o ve w i th whic h God

embra ces all His cre ature s a love wh ic h appe ared t o
,

me wi th ou t bound s I could no t h inder m yself from

,

r epro a c h ing Him b y s ay ing O foll y O foll y

,

It seemed ind eed that I could no t o th erwise qu alify

su c h a love T h e F ee t of m y S aviour were given up
.

t o me a c c ording t o m y pr ay er so that during ve ,

y e ars I never c e a s ed t o se e th em a nd t o occup y my self

w i th th em wh i c h g ave me inexpressible happines s
,

and pe a ce No w that th is fa vour ha s been wi th dr awn

.

from me a nd I a m deprived of so gre at a ble ssing wh i c h

, ,

wa s th e t re a sure of my h e ar t I a m in c ons o l able a nd

, ,

continu ally c ry O s ac red F ee t ! O onl y h ope of m y

,

soul h o w c an I live w i th ou t y ou wh o w ere my h e ar t ,

a nd my life O m y Jesus give th em t o me bu t for one

h o ur o f th e d ay a nd c as t me int o h ell if Th o u wil t
, ,

for with th is c ons o l at i o n I sh o uld nd i t endurable .

My s oj o urn th ere w o u ld no t b e l o ng fo r I w ould S h ed ,

so m an y t e ars I w o u ld e m bra c e T hy Wound s w ith

,

su ch c o n t inued ard o u r that m y h e ar t w ould bre ak

, ,

a nd th is body o f si n w o uld be de st roy ed O s ac red .

F ee t ! I w ould for l o ve o f yo u se e t ou c h a nd ki ss
, , , ,

th e fee t o f every c re at ure O mos t s w ee t F ee t

.

wh ere are th e t e ar s o f l o ve a nd dev oti o n whic h y ou

c aused me t o sh ed ! Al a s ! bitt erne s s h as repl a c ed
th ese delight s of m y h e ar t O beloved F ee t I c ould
.

n o t h ave believed that I s h ould be t orn from a pl a ce

3 42 BLESSED BATTI STA VA RANI .

wi th Jesus C hri st 3 a nd w i th th e prop h e t : B ri n g

my soul ou t of prison t hat I m ay pr aise T hy N ame ,
.

Thi s s acred re with whi c h I burn ed m ade me under ,

s tand that a serap h ha d o wn t o wards me t o ac c o m ,

l i sh th e promise m a de b y m y s w ee t Empress th e mos t

p ,

h ol y Mo th er of G o d .

I n th e me an t ime I wa s t ormen t ed in t eriorly and e x t e

,

ri o rl y b y th is mos t a rden t desire t o a n ex t en t I c a nno t ,

describe a nd s h ed inexha us t ible t orren t s of t e ar s sob

, ,

bin g and pr aying night and d ay t o m y God t o w ithdr aw

me from th e w o rld and c all me t o Himself O ne d ay .

wh en during m y pr ay er I besought th is gr a ce with

more than usu al e arnes t ness m y blessed Jesus m ani ,

fe st e d Himself t o me w i th a n air of gre at comp a ssion ,

and embr a cing my soul w ith His left Ar m H e dre w ,

h er t o His Bre a s t a nd wiping away h er t e a rs wi th

,
.

His ri ght H and s aid repe at edly ,
Weep no more ,
.

T h is wa s a w eeping of th e soul and n o t of th e body , ,

th ough I also s h ed m an y bodily t e ars Th ese sw eet .

w o rds ought t o have les s ened m y grief bu t on th e con , ,

t rary I w ep t more abund a n t l y a nd m y pr ay er t o ob tai n

, ,

th e end of m y c ap t ivi ty b ec ame all th e more arden t .

He replied I c anno t y e t
,
Bu t L ord s aid I ar t
.
, ,

no t T h ou almighty ! Beh old s aid He t o me sh o w , ,

ing me H i s divine H a nds th e y are rml y b o und
,
.

I could no t unders tand th is bu t He a dded : T h ese ,

bonds are th e pr ay ers wh i c h y our bre th ren an d sis t ers ,

th e Fr an c is c an s a ddress t o Me t o have y ou r life pro

, ,

longed 3 b e th en p at ien t .

I kno w no t wh e th er that wh ic h I a m abou t t o re

coun t t ook pl ac e before o r aft er what I have alre a d y
rel at ed O nce wh en I fel t su c h a h e at that I could
.
,

n o t be a r i t I j t urn e d in a dyin g s tat e t o wa rds th e

,

se r aphi m a nd s aid t o th em compl aining and almos t

, , ,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 43

r epro a ch ing m y self for h a ving a sked th eir aid : 0

mos t s w ee t spirit s if I have asked wi th so muc h fer

,

vour that y ou might come t o me i t wa s bec ause I b e ,

l i e ve d that being s o ne a r t o G od y our presence w ould ,

b e p ar a dise ; h o w is i t th en that since you have

, ,

come t o me I suffer th e p ain s of h ell ! indeed I ,

unders tand no t what y ou have brought wi th y ou .

T h en th ese sublime spiri t s en t ering in t o famil i ar con

,

vers ation w i th me a s w ith a fri end replied : T hat
, ,

wh ic h aii c ts y ou is pre cisely that whi c h renders us

happ y Being un able t o enj o y G o d while y ou a re
.

c ap t ive in th e prison of y our body y ou are reduced t o ,

form desires wh ic h t ormen t y ou in propor t i o n t o th eir

s trength Wi th us on th e con t rary desire being
.
, ,

al way s uni t ed t o th e presence of th e Beloved O bj ect ,

th e more arden t i t is th e more i t augmen t s our feli

,

city . A ft er th ese w o rds th e y t old me that th ei r
,

int im at e presen c e with God wa s suc h that God

'

could no t be a single ins ta n t wi th ou t th em nor th ey ,

wi th ou t Him T h e y t old me moreover that th ere

.
, ,

exis t s suc h a n i n t im at e union be tween th e ser ap h im

a nd c h erubim that one could no t be in a soul w i th o u t
,

th e o th er S ome times
. th ey s aid ,
i t is th e ,

c h erubim wh o h old th e rs t pl a c e in a soul some ,

t imes th e serap h im 3 bu t i t is w e serap h im wh o enj o y

th e pre eminence in y o ur soul Bec ause of this our

.
,

ser ap hic re preva ils in y ou above th e light o f th e

c h erubim T h is a c corded ex a c tl y w ith m y o w n ex
p e r i e n c e for
,
th oug,
h th e lig ht wh ic h I ha d seen wa s
re all y incompre h ensible b y re a son of i t s int ensi ty ,

neverth eless in comp aris o n w i th i t th e re wa s thri ce

,

as s t rong O n th is occ asion I le arned that th e tw o

.

angels wh o h eld m y soul during three mon th s at th e

F ee t of Jesu s w ere one from e ac h ch oir T his is
,
.
3 44 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

that re in whic h I wa s b ap tiz ed a nd puried aft er ,

m y gener al c o nf ession t o F a t h er Pe t er M o l i an o .

Th e S a cramen t Of th e E uc haris t is re ally th e Bre ad

o f a ngels : I s ay thi s m y fath er be c ause aft er th e
, ,

visi t of th e angels I fel t a h unger for th is divine s a cr a

men t wh ich I could no t a ssu age T his m a de me begin .

th e cus t om of communic at ing ever y S und a y whi c h I ,

con t inued for tw o y e ar s ; bu t i t was t oo seldom t o

s at isfy th e desires of my soul I w o ul d have w ish ed
.

t o communic at e every d ay a nd wh en I c onsidered th e

,

long abs tine n ce th rough th e w eek I bec ame w e ak ,

a nd fain t w i th sorro w ; bu t o th erwise during th e three ,

y e ars pre c edin g m y gre at t ribul a ti o n I lived happil y ,

in th e possession o f profo und and t rul y a ngelic pe ace .

T h en all th e way s of S i o n w ere o pened t o me and ,

seemed t o my ey es e qu ally sm o o th and agree able 3 I

n o l o n ger walked 3 I r a n q uickl y a nd me t w i th no ,

o bs ta c le bec ause m y de sires a nd pious pr ay ers rem o ved

,

every h indran ce from m y way I ha d t h en or at le a s t I .

,

belie ved I ha d a n a ngeli c a nd celes t i al h e ar t r ath er tha n

,

a h uma n one fo r th ere never r o s e w i th in i t a n y sen t i

,

men t of pride unless i t be pride t hat dic tat es t o me

,

what I n o w say I n sh or t I wa s in su c h a s tat e that

.
, ,

ha d an y one t o ld me I s h ould ever be in th e condi tion

in whi c h yo u no w s e e me I s h ould have believed i t
,

absolu t ely imp o ssible I th ink that this disposi tion

. ,

was n o t pure pride 3 at le as t m y c o nscie nce repro a ch ed

,

me wit h no s en timen t of th e kind I t wa s at thi s .

t ime that b y a singul ar gift of th e Holy G h os t I

, ,

re s olved never t o medi tat e o n an y o th er subje c t than

th e Pa ssion of my divine M as t er de siring t o m ake ,

every d ay a Good Frid ay for myself t hat I might ,

w eep t o m y h e ar t s con t en t over th e su ff erings of m y
s w ee t Jesus persu a ded that if I emplo y ed my life i n
,
3 46 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

i mmedi at ely began a nd m y w ords o w ed so r apidl y

,

that I ha d no need t o s t ud y h o w I s h ould wri t e .

W hat happened t o me th en happens t o me n o w ; ,

I al way s take up my pen w i th extreme reluc ta nce ,

bu t immedi at el y th ings presen t th emselves t o me

wi th gre at er r apidity tha n I c a n express th em .

W h en I received th e comm and I a ssuredl y did no t ,

fo resee th e conse quences 3 a nd y e t I refused t o obey ,

a s if I ha d know n i t w ould t urn t o my de t rimen t .

L is t en t o what God seemed t o say t o me I forese e

t hat th e v a se of thy soul w ill con t r a c t s tains an d ,

such s tains that i t will be no longer w or thy t o con tain

th e b alm of My in t erior sorro w s It is th erefo re n e c e s
.
, ,

s ary that th ou s h ouldes t pour i t in t o o th ers 3 be sides i t ,

c an no longer be useful t o t h ee be c ause of th y in ,

f e c ti o n. Oh h o w I fe ar that what I a m w ri t ing n o w
wil l produce in me a s imi l a r resul t I s eem t o h e ar .

th e voi c e of G o d s aying V omi t from thy m o u t h al l

th e benet s I have l l d th ee wi th be c au s e I a m ,

re ad y t o vomi t th ee from Mine Deliver me from .

this t erri ble sen t ence 0 m y God ,

I n th e mon th of Augus t fo llo wing I found mysel f

engaged in a serio u s comb at wh i c h at rs t g ave me
,

no fe ar bec ause I e njo y ed profo und int eri o r pe a ce a nd

, ,

wa s t o tally ignor an t o f th e sn are s of th e demon so ,

that I suspec t ed no d a nger M y blindne ss wa s even

.

s o profo und that I saw no th ing bu t g o o d in h is m a

c hi n ati o n s T h i s l a s t ed for tw o mon th s 3 wh en at

.

length on th e oc t ave of S Fr ancis God o pened my

, .
,

eyes a li ttle and I saw myself a s i t w ere in th e mids t

, , ,

of a v a s t pl ain delivered u p t o a t errible c omb at and

, ,

su rrounded b y might y enemie s ou t of wh ose ha nd s ,

G od alone could rescue me O verwh elmed w i th h ope

less sorro w and no t kno win g what t o do I p assed th e

, ,
 B LESSED BATT ISTA VARANI . 3 47

o c tave d ay of S Fra ncis fa s ting on bre a d a nd wat er an d

.
,

ce a sin g no t t o implore th e h elp of th e Mos t High a nd ,

conjurin g th is gre at s ain t t o gran t me his pow erful

pro t ec tion Th e follo wi n g night in s t e a d of m y de
:
,

liver ance G od s h o wed me in a dre am all th e l abours

,

a nd al i ction s wh ich awai t ed me T h is wa s th e sign al

.

for my gre at es t t ri al T h en th e pi t of th e aby s s

.
,

whic h ha d been sh u t for t en y e ars wa s opened and , ,

th e dr agon c ame forth ro aring ag ains t me a nd a s sa il

, ,

ing me wi th suc h fury that i t seemed a s if h e w o uld

devour me alive 3 bu t th e po w erful H a nd of God wh ic h ,

never ab an dons a soul that trus t s in Him dre w me ,

u nh ur t from th e j aw s of th is m o ns t er You alr e a d y .

kno w th e circums tances m y fath er bu t I repe at i t

, , ,

that th e glory m ay be given t o God alone t o wh ose ,

goodness i t wa s o win g a nd no t t o an y virt ue or pru

,

dence in me Never th eles s th is cruel enemy despoiled

.
,

m e of m y precious g armen t s ; h e t ook fr o m me th e

light wh ic h enli ght ened m y e yes a nd cu t o ff th e hair ,

of m y spiri t u al s treng th a nd having w ounded me
,

w en t away le a ving me half de ad
, .

I rem a ined two y e ar s in th is s tat e of afflic t ion and ,

durin g th ose tw o w re t c h ed y e ars I wa s deprived of all

h elp and consol at io n wi th th e excep t ion of spe aki ng
,

three t imes t o Bro th er Pe t er M ol i an o m y h ol y a nd ,

glorious fath er It wa s at th is t ime that h e bec ame

.
.

vic ar which g ave me much j o y 3 fo r I s aid t o m yself

, ,

Provided I c a n consul t w i th h im th e demon will b e ,

defe at ed in h is en t erprise for h e w ill ive me th e

,

me an s t o come ou t vi c t orious from this sad c o m b at .

O m y h ol y fath er after th e j ourne y wh ic h ob tained

,

for me th ese visi t s from y ou y ou re t urned again t o ,

th ese p ar t s bu t y our beloved d aught er could no t con

,

verse w ith y ou for de ath sn at c h ed you from h er Oh

,
.
3 48 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . .

h o w bi tt er fo r me wa s this de ath ! I los t a ll co urage at

s eeing my self deprived of y our h elp a nd in my desp air ,

I m a de a rm resolu tion t o spe ak of m y p ain t o none ,

a t le a s t t ill God obliged me t o give m y condence t o

a n e w fath er b y His gra ce s h o w ing hi m t o me as an

,

i ns t ru m en t of His c h oosin g O m y go o d fath er I did

.
,

n o t th en compre h end th e good y ou w ere t o do me I

.
,

wa s ignor an t that y ou left me a n orp han onl y bec ause ,

i t wa s expedien t for m y s alvat ion 3 bu t I was no t l o ng

in receiving th e proof of i t I mmedi at el y on y o u r .

d e at h y ou t ook from m y enemies all th eir po w er

, ,

an d brought me b a ck ag a in in t o th e p ath of t ru th .

T h is wa s no t th e only service wh ic h you rendered

me 3 for I c anno t doub t that y our c ha ri ty ob tained
for m e th e 1n sp1ratio n t o give m y condence t o
th e fath er wh o d irect s me a nd t o disclose t o him al l
,

m y tribul at ion T h is inspir at ion wa s an yth in g bu t

.

a gree able t o me at rs t I experienced extreme re

.

u n an c e t o m a nifes t t o a ne w direc t or that wh i c h

p g
p assed w i th in me bu t G o d m a de me s e e that th is open
,

ness wa s ne c ess ary t o m y s alvation a nd no thi n g c ould ,

be more t rue as y ou m y fath er t o wh om I w ri t e

, , , ,

w ell kno w . VVh e n c e t h en c ame th is rep u gn a n c e t o

, ,

o pen m y h e a r t ! D o ub tless fr o m th e demon 3 for since

I have frankly t old y ou everyth ing I nd in myself ,

su c h c onsol at ion and pe a c e that I c e a s e no t t o bless

,

h e aven for havin g inspired me with c ondence in y our

fath erly c are a nd I say w i th t ru th a nd w i th ou t at
,

t e ry I w ould n o t ha ve ta ken a n y o th er tha n yo u t o be

,

t h e cond a n t of m y sorro ws .
3 50 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

S c arcely ha d y ou qui t t ed C a merino wh e n I h ad t o ,

e ndure s t ill more h orrible t emp tat ions tha n before .

I revol t ed t o a cer tain degree ag ains t G od impu t ing

, , ,

t o H i m my fa ul t s m y sins m y errors
, , I d ar e d t o .

c all Him t o a ccoun t for His conduc t 3 I a cc us ed Him

o f false h ood in sever a l th ings He s aid in th e S crip

t ures 3 a ccus at ions wh ic h rendered me gui l ty of h ein

o u s sin.

h a w s e e l n th is bu t a n e w proof o f h e r
[ T e re der ill
h umili ty for i t is c er ta in that th ese h orrible th oughts
,

w ere en t irel y involun tary !

I di d o th er th in gs be si d es wh ic h I p as s over ,

i n silence I a m sure m y fath er that in re ading

.
, ,

t h is s a d s t ory y ou will th ink that my poor soul

,

lived in h ell during th e six month s y ou have bee n

,

a bsen t from h er 3 a nd cer tainly y ou a re rig ht for t o ,

spe ak th e t ru th i t s eems t o me that I have become

,

a l t oge th er infern al a nd devilis h ; bu t what renders

m y t o rmen t m ore insuppor table a nd almos t bre aks ,

m y h e ar t is that I have no person t o wh om I c an

,

c o mmunic at e m y p a in a nd that I c anno t receive

,

t h e slight es t c onsol at i o n in m y pressing necessi ty .

I n t o what coun t ry of th e w orld have y ou ed my ,

fath er ! I have been s o unhapp y and y o ur absence ,

l e a ve s me w i th ou t counsel a nd w i th o u t suppor t .

Oh h o w cruel h as th is privat ion seemed t o me a nd ,

h o w long ! I c a n d o no th ing bu t gr o a n i n penning

th i s dol o rous h is t ory a nd repe at th e s ad l amen ta
,

t ion : 0 all y e wh o p a s s b y th e way o f divine love ,

a tt end a nd s e e if th ere be a ny sorro w like t o mi ne .

I f I ha d a voice suffi cien tl y s tr o ng t o re a c h t o th e ends

of th e w orld I w ould c ry aloud and s ay
,
S er ,

v a nt s of G od , wh o a spire t o th e perfec t ion of love ,

h umble y ourselves and le t my ex ample b e a

,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 35 1

warni ng t o y o u for ha d yo u been a d m i tt ed t o

,

th e convers at io n of a ngels a nd s a in t s of t h e V irgin ,

M ary a nd of G o d Himself y ou might y e t like me

, , , ,

f all from y our h igh es tat e in t o th e ab y ss of mortal

s in. Oh ! le t m y unfor tun at e an d mos t miserabl e
s oul serve y ou for an ex a mple S h e ha d happ il y.

en t ered th e immense oce a n of divine love a nd spiri tu al

s w ee tnes s a nd th en a t errible t empes t over wh elmed
,

h er a nd m ade h er descend even t o h ell
, F are well .
,

m y fath er 85 0, .

[ S h e th o ug ht sh e ha d fallen in t o th e ab y ss bec ause ,

sh e t ook f o r morta l sins all th e b a d th ought s that

c ame in t o h er h e ad bu t sh e :did no t consen t t o

t h em for h er w ill ha d never ce a s ed t o be un al t er abl y

,

attach ed t o God 3 sh e ha d some d ii cul ty in sep a

r ating th ese two th in g s bec ause of th e violence of
,

h e r t emp tat i o ns a s w e s e e in th e fo llo wing le tt er

, ,

wh ic h wa s dic tat ed t o His serv an t b y Jesus C hri st ,

t o for t ify h er ag ains t th e t emp tat ions of wh i c h w e

ha ve alre a dy spoken a nd t o e nl ight en h er on cer tain
,

th ings c onnec t ed w i th th is tri al !

My S is t er ! o u have oft en spoken of th e pro
,
-

m ise m a de t o y o u b y God at th e beginning of y our

c o nversion t ha t He w ould m ake y ou p a s s th r o ug h
,

h e avy tri als a nd on this o c c asi o n yo u m anifes t t o Me

,

th e fe ar of fo rge tting th i s pro m is e wh en th e t ri al s

come a nd in c o n s e quence of falling int o di scourage
, , ,

it
men t perhaps even int o d e sp ai r Fo r thi s re ason I
,
.

have resolved t o di c tat e this le tt er t o y ou that i t m ay ,

serve a s a memori al t o enc o ur age yo u and I doub t n o t ,

th at i t alone w ill sufce t o sus tain y our p atien c e in

th e mids t of t ribul at ion Remember in th e rs t pl ac e
.
, ,

that your voc ati o n ha s n o t been th e e ff ec t of h uma n

w ords bu t th e c al l of G od ag ai ns t your o wn will
,
.
35 2 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

Remember that t o th e desire of goodn ess succeeded

,

that of su ffering a nd that immedi at el y y ou w ere

,

attacked b y sicknes s Remember that from y ou r .

,

e arlies t in fa nc y I have al way s drawn y ou t o medit at e

on My P assion wis h i n g that y ou s h oul d conform y our
,

life t o i t a s muc h as th e fra il ty of h um an n at ure

,

permitt ed y ou t o do Begi n b y fo reseeing in y our

.

morning pr ay er th e t ri als that will overtake you

during th e d ay I beg and beseec h y ou t o foll o w
.

th is a dvi c e bec ause y ou c an do no thing more

,

agree able t o Me Worldlings have more ple a sure

.

in con t empl at ing th ose th e y love under one habit

tha n under ano th er a nd I also be i t k n o w n t o y ou
, , ,

attac h a v alue t o cer tain g armen t s 3 a nd w h en y ou i n

a m anner c l o th e y our s el f wi th th e th ought of M y
su ffering th en I nd y ou mo st a ccordin g t o My h e ar t
,
.

Would y ou wi sh a n ex ample ! You wi ll nd i t in Me ,

in th e Garden of O lives W h ils t I was in pr ay er i t .

,

ple a sed My Fath er t o discover t o Me all th e p ains

wh i c h His j us ti c e re s erved for Me 3 a nd desp o iling
mys elf o f My o wn Will I s aid t o Him F i at volun ta s
,

tu a
T hy Will be d o ne No w th is was no t a v ain .

w o rd a s y ou w ell kno w I ar o se fr o m t h i s pr ay er wit h

,
.

a h e ar t burning w ith c h arity s o that I c o uld have died ,

in t hat t o rmen t n o t for My o w n int ere st bu t for t h e

, ,

h onour of My Fath er a nd th e s alv ation of s ouls ! o u .

have rem arke d doub tle ss that on th is o c c a sion I re

, ,

t urned t o M y pr ay er th ree t im e s and I w o uld have ,

y ou and all wh o desire t o ple as e Me le arn fro m t his ,

t hat a p a ssing pr ay er is n o t su ffi c ien t t o g ain M y

h e ar t bu t that i t i s persever an c e in thi s h ol y e x e r
,

c ise wh ic h c ha rms Me overcome s Me a nd con quers , ,

Me .

Remember that al th ough I being God c ame t o
, , ,
35 4 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

r o be w ith whi c h I y our true S pouse wa s al ways cl a d

, ,

a nd in re ali ty th e mos t precious t re a sure nex t t o a ,

go o d w ill whi c h G o d c a n give yo u is su ff ering ! o u

, ,
.
'

c an al way s refuse th e cros s as I coul d ha ve refused i t

,

My s elf 3 bu t kno w that in ying th e c ro ss yo u y

, ,

from a ll g o od It wa s b y a ccep ting th e bitt er c halice

.

o u t of pure love that I ple a sed M y Fath er m o s t a nd ,

y o u mu s t do th e s ame if y ou w o uld render y ourself

like Me a nd th erefo re agree able in His Ey es Wh e n
, .

I rose from pr ay er burning w ith th e re o f chari ty

, ,

I presen t ed My self befo re m y enemies and y ou also ,

will mee t yo u f enem ies wi th ou t fe ar O ne of M y .

di sciples be tray ed Me b y a kis s 3 y ou will also be de

c e iv e d a nd a fic t ed b y th ose wh om y ou de a rl y love ,

a nd t o wards wh om y ou feel no th ing bu t kindness a nd

good will
-
.

Remember th e ve poin t s I a m abou t t o propose

t o yo u l st W h en a n y persons o ff end y ou griev e
.
,

m o re for th e injury done t o G o d than th e inj ury d o ne

t o y ours elf 2n d Besee c h Me wi th a ll y our h e art t o
. .

p ardon th em and t o fo rgive th em th e c ha s tisemen t

,

wh ic h th e y meri t as y ou w o uld besee c h Me t o sp are

,

y our o wn ey e or an y of yo ur members 3 f o r y o ur
neighbour is indeed a s y our ey e a nd a member o f yo u r
b o d y 3rd You mus t kno w that y ou o w e more t o
. .

th ose wh o ill tre at y ou tha n t o th ose wh o tre at y ou

-
,

w ell 3 fo r th e fo rmer purify y o ur soul a dorn i t a nd , ,

render i t s ingul arl y agree able t o Me 4th C o n sider . .

th e ext ent of My c harity t o wards yo u I t i s so gre at .

,

t hat even if y o u ha d been M y enemy b y m o r tal sin I ,

s h o uld s till reg a rd all th e injurie s y ou r e ceive from

o th ers a s d o ne t o Mys elf In like m anner y our hatred

.

o f y o ur e n emies s h o uld o nl y be t o consider th e harm

wh ic h m ay befall th em a s y our o wn 5 th Th ink that . .

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 35 5

the injuries d o ne y ou are far from being proportioned

t o y o ur o ff ences a nd that if I permi t th em t o happen
,

t o y ou i t is onl y fo r y our good 3 a nd be ware of i m

,

pu t ing sin t o y our enem ies what ever th e y m ay do

, .

C onsider t hat a ft er I ha d received th e kis s of My
p e r d i ou s dis c iple I,
a sked of th e cro w d W h om ,

s eek y e ! We seek Jesus of Nazare th th e y re
,

plied 3 a nd wh en I a ns wered I am He th i s wo rd , ,

wa s so p o w erful that i t over th re w t h em 3 bu t at t h e

s a me t ime i t g a v e th em po w er t o appre h end Me .

Be c ause I uni t ed M y will a s M an t o th e Will o f G o d

, , ,

th e soldiers could no t t ou c h Me and i t re quired bu t a ,

w ord o f My m o u th t o over th r o w th em It is t rue that .

aft er wards th e y ha d th e po wer t o seiz e Me bec ause ,

M y Fath er g ave i t t o th em ; bu t what happened t o

th em at rs t ought t o have taught th em that My
po w er wa s no t h um an bu t divine T h us My d aught er
, .
, ,

e a c h t ime that w ith a n h ones t h e ar t y ou d eliver y our

w ill up t o G o d s ayi n g sincerely that y ou b e se e ct i m
,

t o do His Will Fi at volun tas t u a Thy Will be d o ne

,

y ou w ill assimil at e y ourself so c l o s el y t o Me that th e ,

demons w ill have n o po w er t o t ou c h y ou until th e y

receive i t from o n high U n til th en th e y will fail in
.

t h ei r en t erprise s ; th e y w ill fall befo re yo u a nd th e ,

Will of God al o ne c an r ai s e th em up 3 a nd what ever ,

b e th e po w er given th em t h e y c an never h urt yo u

,

a s mu c h as th ey did Me I t h e o nly S o n o f G o d wa s
.
, ,

a b andoned a nd fo rs aken b y th e wh o le w orld You ,

t h erefore mus t rej o i c e a nd be tha nkfu l in proport ion

,

as yo u p ar t i c ip at e in M y ab a ndonmen t I wa s dragged .

befo re differen t ju dge s I was l o aded w i th shame and

,

t ormen t by t h e pe o ple I s o t enderly loved ! ou .

,

th erefore mu st su ffer fro m all sor ts o f perso ns even

, ,

fro m th os e m o s t de ar t o y ou I was su spended on .

356 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

th e cross l n c o mple t e n akedness I th erefore w is h .

y ou t o be s tripped o n th e c r o s s o f h ol y religion th at ,

i s despoiled o f all o t h er l o ve
,
T h ree n ails xed me
.

t o th e c ro s s 3 you mu s t be xed th ere b y th e s ame

n umber ,
that is t o say b y p o ver ty obedien c e and
, , ,

c ha sti ty . I have alre ady s aid m an y th ings t o y ou o n

this subj ec t wh i c h I will no t re c all t o yo u no w
,
.

Reme m ber that I g ave y ou a gre at er t oken o f M y
love in afic ting y ou tha n b y pre ssing y ou in M y
p at ern al Arms C all t o mind wh en su ffering w eigh s
.
,

y o u d o w n h,
o w oft en I ha ve l a vi s h ed upon y ou t h e

s wee t n ame s o f si st er d aught er spouse a nd t hat t o o

, , ,

in a c c en t s o f t endernes s wh i c h m a de y ou l angui sh
w i th divine love Remember p o o r s oul that in th o s e
.
, ,

m o men t s of p ain God h as Him self s aid t o yo u su c h

,

w o nderful t h ings ab o u t Him s elf that yo u could n o t ,

s upp o r t th e s w ee t ne ss of H i s c o mmunic at i o ns b u t ,

w ere fo r c ed t o c ry No m o re L o rd no more a nd
,

, , ,

t o t ake t o ight from humility .

Re m ember that t o gu ard yo u ag ai ns t th e m o ve
m en t s o f y o ur e x c e ss ive pride G o d t old y ou t h at i t
,

was n o t be c au s e o f y our m eri t s bu t fr o m pure l o ve ,

that He l o a ded y ou w i th th e s e r are favours expl aining ,

th i s t o y ou b y th e fo llo w ing c o m p a ri so n : Wh en a
p hy si c i an see s that th e stat e of h is p at ien t be c o m e s
d angerou s h e n o l o nger applies ordin ary remedie s
, ,

bu t empl o ys e n erge t i c and p o w erful m e ans I t was .

th us that G o d like a w i s e p hy si c i an de al t wi th yo u 3
, ,

n o t be c au s e y o u de s erved s u c h t re at m en t bu t fr o m ,

Simple chari ty t o h e al y our gr ave and d an gerou s i n

rm i ty .

Remember als o that t o render y ou m o re h umble
, ,

I c le arly s h o w ed yo u that th e s e spirit u al swee t ne ss es

could no t be ob tained n aturally bu t that God c o m ,
 35 8 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

w ould i t be p o s sible for y ou t o m ake s at isfa c t ion fo r

yo ur inni t e faul t s ! S ay th en t o th e L ord : M y

G o d m y l ife th e j o y o f m y h e ar t ! since I c ann o t

, , ,

eith er b y d o ing g o od o r b y h e arin g afi c t i o ns p atien tl y ,

thank T h ee tti n gl y fo r T hy gr a c e s n o r s at isfy fo r ,

m y nu m berle s s and ab o m in able sin s at le as t grant me ,

th is favo ur t o reg ard me a s one guil ty o f every c rim e

,

a nd des ti tu t e o f all g o o d a nd th en le t m e e m pl o y ,

fai th fully th e sh or t rem ainder o f m y life a cc o r di n g

t o T hy h ol y W ill 3 a nd at l a s t pl a c e m e aft er m y ,

de ath wh erever I c an render T h ee m o st h on o ur

,
.

Even th oug h T h o u sh ould st b ani sh me t o h ell I ,

w ill be con t en t t o rem ain th ere be c ause I de sire O , ,

m y God that T hy h onour m ay be m y glory and m y

,

happiness .

Remember t h e promises I have m a de t o y o u 3
I w ill n o t di c tat e t h em t o yo u no w bec ause yo u ,

kn o w th em alre a d y I f yo u remem ber what I have

.

s aid t o y ou reg arding y our t ribul at i o n s n o t hing will ,

seem dif c ul t t o yo u Everyth ing on e arth p a sses .

q ui c kl y away ; c alm s u cc eed s th e t e m pe st and a ft er ,

s o rro w comes j o y T h e very m o men t o f t ribul at ion

.

i t s elf will be t o th ee in gre at p ar t a n a c c ep table t ime

, , ,

a nd a d ay o f s alvation Remember th e gener o si ty wi th

.

wh ic h y ou have so m e t ime s s aid t o Me in pr ay er ,

N o w L ord ha st en th e t ime fo r I c a n wai t no longer 3

, , ,

T h o u ar t t oo long in sending me th e trial s T h o u

h a s t pr o mi sed Wh en w il t T h ou c o nduc t me int o
.

th e p a s tur age of su ffering wh ere I m ay fatt en w it h ,

T hy fai th fu l sh eep ! Remember wh en y ou are on

,

th e c ross whi c h G o d designs for y ou never t o s ay M y , ,

G o d why ha s t T h o u ab a ndoned me ! I have t o ld

y o u why I forbid this c ompl ain t 3 n amel y that t h e ,

more y ou are resigned t o see y oursel f ab an doned b y

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 35 9

Me th e ne arer I w ill be t o y o u I wi sh t o d o wi th
, .

y ou as m y Fat h er did w i th Me and t o lo a d yo u w it h ,

a s m an y su ff erings a s y our w e akness wi ll permi t y ou

t o be ar .

God once s aid t o yo u that He might permi t y ou
t o fall int o some gre at erro r o r de c ep t i o n o r vi o len t
, ,

t emp tat i o n or be t r ayal 3 b u t be n o t dis c our aged on

,

this ac coun t for no th ing is s o di sple asing t o H i m as

,

desp air Be rm in fe ar and h u m ility as y ou have

.
,

been un t il n o w w i t h s w ee t c o nden c e fo r y ou mu st
, ,

n o w t urn over a ne w p age 3 a nd o u w ill s ee m t o

y
y o urself as mu c h a n obj e c t o f H i s hatred a nd di spl e a
s ure a s h i th er t o o f His love a nd favour
, Ne ve rth e .

less rem ain c ons tan t and imm o v able fo r i t is t o t h e

, ,

c o n queror that th e cr o w n is re s erved Re m e m ber t h e .

r o yal o ffering y ou m ade t o y our G o d wh en y ou s aid ,

o u w ould s erve Him t t a void h ell a nd g a in

y n o o ,
'

h e aven bu t bec a use He i s above all innitely a nd

,

s i n gul a rl y w o r thy o f love an d in c o n s e quence de

, , ,

serve s t o receive from every cre ature a ll prai s e ,

service a nd l o ve 3 a nd t hat yo u w o uld serve H i m

,

purel y a nd w i t h fervour un til de ath even if y ou kne w ,

y our d am n at i o n t o be c er t ain G o d did n o t reve al .

th ese thing s t o yo u be c au s e o f y o ur g o o d a nd h oly

life F orge t no t this 3 a nd be c o nfo unded in c o n s ider
.

ing o n th e one hand s o mu c h wi c kedness a nd mi sery

, , ,

and on th e o th er suc h as t onishing go o dnes s

,
.

I feel s o rro w a nd c omp assion fo r yo u po o r so ul , ,

wh en I see Mys elf o bliged t o l e t yo u fall int o suc h

o

la men table des o l at ion a ft er so m a n y s w ee t ende ar

,

ment s so m any t ender w ords s o m an y pro ofs of My

, ,

ex c e s sive love an d aft er yo u have fel t a nd t as te d h o w

,

muc h God is wo r thy of love grac ibu s ki nd and , , ,

g en t le a bove a ll t h e riv als wh o ha ve dispu t ed y our

3 60 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

h e art w i t h Him Keep y ours elf th en in My fe ar an d

.
, , ,

n o longer s ay M ay God preserve me fr o m th is and

, ,

I w ill preserve m ys elf from that It is fo r having h eld

.

su c h l angu age a s th i s that He h as fo u n d i t ne c ess ary

t o t e a c h y ou at y o ur o wn c os t that a n a n t w ould
,

ha ve s ufced t o m ake y ou bre ak y our neck if H e ,

ha d n o t sus tained y ou b y H is po werful A rm Trus t .

no longer in y our o wn s trength even if God sh o uld

,

give y ou po w er t o w ork mir a c les every d ay I .

have taught yo u that wh en yo u be ar devou tl y gre at

sorro w yo u p ay some portion o f y our deb t Remem
,
.

ber that this exh o rtati o n is n o t dic tat ed b y hat red bu t ,

on th e c on trary b y th e love I have fo r y ou I w ill

,
.

no t recompense y our meri t in th is w orld a s I ha ve ,

alre ad y oft en t old yo u 3 I w is h yo u t o be on th e cros s ,

alone and desp o iled of all affe c ti o n that is n o t for Me .

L o ve and su ffering w ill end in uni ting yo u t o Me ,

a nd i t is o nl y on th e c ross that our h dl y and Spiri

t u al m a rri a ge c an b e consumm at ed ! o u ha ve h e a rd
.

what th e spouse in th e C an ti cles s ays My Beloved is ,

m ine a nd I am His 3 bu t wh ere ha s sh e fo und Him !

,

In th e mids t of th e lilies wh ere He feeds 3 that is t o .

s ay in th e mids t o f m an y s orro w s
, .

Be h o ld m y fath er what our L o rd s aid t o me while

, ,

I wa s ye t in th e w orld a ft er having taken th e rm

,

a nd irrevoc able resolu tion t o serve God in perpe t u al .

enclosure in th e order o f th e gloriou s S C l are I

,
. .

wro t e th em under th e dic tat ion of Jesu s C hris t in th e ,

mon a s t ery of U rbin o ve m o n th s before my pr ofe ssi o n

,
.

Glory be t o th is s wee t S aviour and pr ai s e for eve r

,

and ever .

[ O ne th in g in t h is le tt er mig ht s u rpri s e th e re a der ,

a nd conse quentl y de s erves t o be expl aine d We n d .

that G od ha d permitt ed th e Blessed B attis ta t o .

3 62 BLESSED BATT ISTA VARANI .

O ur S ain t repro a c h es h erself ab o ve all for c ertain , ,

w o rd s that ha d es c aped h er in th e c o urs e of h er trib u

l ati o n s a nd w e have seen t hat sh e l o oked upon th em
,

a s bl a sp h emies wh i c h o ver wh el m ed h er w i t h s o rro w 3

,

bu t d o e s i t n o t seem as if G o d ha d t ake n up o n Himself

t o pr o ve h er inn o c en c e b y preserving h er t o ngue fr o m
,

c o rrup t i o n a ft er h er de ath ! Trul y wh en w e c o n si d er ,

thi s pro digy w e c ould im agine w e h e ard G o d say t o

,

His s erva n t as He s aid t o h o l y Jo b S is t er B atti st a

, ,

s inned no t b y h er lips n o r Spoke sh e a n y fo o li s h t h ing

,

agains t G o d I f any re a der S h o uld nd th e s e re a s o n s

.

in suf c ien t le t h i m re a d w i th a tt en t ion th e fo ll o w ing

,

pr ayer c o mpo s ed b y t h e S ain t a nd c o mmitt ed t o ,

writing b y h er at th e end of h er th ree ye ars tri al !

.

O God m o s t gra c iou s an d ful l o f goodness Fa th er

,

o f inni t e mer c ie s I am t hat sh eep fr o m am o ng t h e

,

h undred wh o ha d quitt ed T hy fold t o seek b ad

, ,

p a st urage wh ere I have fed on bit t er h erb s a nd

,

p o i so nou s h usk s A ft er three y e ar s p a s s ed in t h i s sad

.

wa ndering I de sire w i t h all m y h e ar t t o re t urn t o T h ee

,
.

O God o f sw ee tne ss a nd clemency o nly so ur c e o f t ru e ,

pe a c e receive me t h en w it h c harity t ake me o n T hy

, , , ,

mer c iful sh o ulders O gener o u s a nd fa i th ful S h ep

.

h erd W h o h a st given T hy life fo r Thy sh eep bri ng

, ,

me b a c k int o T hy de a r fo ld and t urn n o t T hy Fa c e ,

a way fr o m me O my sw ee t Je su s d o n o t permi t me
.
,

t o be s hip w re c ked in t h e very p o r t of relig i on aft er ,

having s truggled so hard t o wit h dr aw fr o m t h e s t orm y

o c e a n o f th e w orld Remember O m y Je su s th e p ri ce
.
, ,

I have cos t T h ee Remember O m y Redeemer all .

, ,

th e Bl o od T h ou has t sh ed on th e c r o s s t o redeem m y
p r soul
o o Remember 0 m y Wel l belo ved no t what
.
,
-
,

I have done bu t what I ha ve w i sh ed t o do fo r T hy

, ,

h onour My Jesus I a m th e poor public a n spoken

.
,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 63

o f in th e gospel 3 s hame fo r m y sins h inders me from

r aising my h e a d a nd t h e c onfusion c au s ed by th e m
,

m akes m e no t d are t o look up t o h e aven L ike him .

,

I c as t m y e y es o n th e ground a nd s trike m y bre as t ,

s aying O G o d be mer c iful t o me a sinner

, .

O nro st c leme n t L o rd re c eive in t o T hi ne o pen Arm s ,

a pr o dig a l d aug h t er wh o h as wa ndered fa r t o di s s ip at e

,

h er g o ods b y n o t living in upright ne ss My d ivine

, .

M ast er I a m n o t w o r thy t o be c alled T hy s erva n t n o r

, ,

e ven T hy sl a ve be c a use I h ave pers e c u t ed t h e so ul s

,

pur c ha sed b y Thy Pre c i ous Blo o d C ome t o m e .

,

n o tw i th s tanding O my Jesu s c o me w i th T hy gr ac e
, , .

Press m y af i c t ed so ul in T hine Ar m s an d visi t h er as ,

T h ou w er t a c c us t omed t o d o i n h appi e r t imes O m y .

good F ath er refu s e n o t thi s kis s of pe ac e whic h m y

,

h e ar t desire s Pu t a n end t o t h i s cruel war fro m

.
,

wh i c h I ha ve su ffered s o muc h for th e l ast thr ee y ear s .

I f I do no t deserve i t in an y o th er way I w o ul d will ,

i n gl y give m y life t o ob tain pe a ce 0 m y Bel o ve d .

,

c all me from t h i s ex ile a nd fr o m t h e d arknes s of t h i s ,

w o rld Deliver me fro m t h is lo at h some prison o f m y

.

miserable b o d y Dr aw me t o wards T h ee m y G o d
.
, ,

dr aw me t o T h ee a nd le ave me no longer t o l anguis h

,

in this v alley o f t e ar s I c ann o t rem ain longer h ere . .

I n rm i ti e s demon s o th er c re at ure s a nd in t erio r

, , ,

t ri bul at ion s c ry t o me F ly y fr o m th is e ar th ! o u , ,
.

have d w el t l o ng enough h ere 3 a l o nger s oj ourn is fo r

bidden y ou Re c eive me t o Thys elf m y s w ee t Je su s
.

, ,

re c eive me 3 I a m re ad y t o dep ar t w i th a j o y I c anno t ,

e xpress B a ni s h me wh i th ersoever Thy h on o ur m ay

.

re quire i t un t il th e j udgment d ay provided I be n o t -

,

sep ar at ed from T h ee e t ern all y a s I have deserved a nd ,

I will ble ss T hy gre at merc y Glory be t o T h ee O .

,

L ord Am en
. .
3 64 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

C HA PTER VII .

FIRST PAIN .
-
SORRO W F OR THE SUFFERINGS OF THE
L O ST AND THE ELECT .

THERE wa s a devou t s oul wh o h ungered aft er th e

fo o d o f th e P a ssi o n of our mo st s wee t Je sus and wh o ,

aft er m an y y e ars emplo yed in h er o wn spiri tu al refor m

m at ion w as at leng th a dmi tt ed b y a spe c i al favour

,
:

t o communic at ion w i th th e in t erio r sufferings wh i c h

a fi c ted His He ar t It is from h er that I h e ard al l I
.

a m abou t t o rel at e .

Aft er havin g pr ay ed long t o be in t r o duced in t o ,

and submerged in th e se a of His in t eri o r s ufferings th is ,

good M a s t er th roug h pi ty mer c y and gr ace c on

, , , ,

sen t ed t o plunge h er in t o thi s o c e a n w i th ou t bo tt om

a nd w i th ou t s h ore wh ere sh e was soon obliged t o c ry
,

aloud in h er dis tress No more L ord no more 3 m y , , ,

w e akness is un able t o supp o r t th e o ver wh elmin g w eight

of Thy sorro w s I nd no difcul ty in believing
.

th is for I kn o w h o w abund an tl y He gives t o th o se

,

wh o kn o w h o w t o soli c it th ese s o r t o f favours h umbl y

and perseveringl y .

O ne d ay that th is devou t soul wa s at pray er sh e ,

s aid t o Him w ith gre at anxie ty of h e ar t I en tre at ,

T h ee O L ord t o permi t me t o en t er th e s ac red bed o f

, ,

T hy in t eri o r sorro ws S ubmerge me in that oce an of .

bi tt erne s s 3 t h ere I w ould wis h t o die O s w ee t life o f ,

m y soul Tell me Jesus m y h ope h o w c ruel w ere th e

.
, , ,

p ains that af ic t ed T hy s ac red He ar t S in c e th o u

ar t ignoran t My d au ght er thi s g o od M a s t er replied
, ,

,

o f th e gre at ne s s of M y su ffering s I w ill t ell th ee that

,

th e y were e qu all y gre at wi th th e love wh i c h I bore

'

t o My Fath er a nd t o cre atures ,

No w th is devou t .

 3 66 BLESSED BATTISTA VAR A NI .

and th e b a seness of th e bod y T h erefore neith er y ou .

, ,

n o r a ny o th er cre at ure c an compre h end th e severi t

, y
a nd bitt erness of My p ain ; I spe ak n o w onl y o f th e
d amned A S m o rtal s ins are n o t all e qu all y h einous
.
,

a nd a s th ere are differen t m anners o f c ommi tting

t h e m a c c ordingl y th e s ep a r at i o ns w ere more o r le ss
,

p ainful 3 h en c e ar o se th e qu ali ty and qu a n ti ty o f My

p ains O n th e o n e ha nd bec ause th e wil l of th e l o s t
.
,

rem ains e t ern ally perver s e th eir su ff ering s also are

,

e t ern al 3 wh ile on th e o th er a c c ordin g t o th e number

,

and gr avity o f th e sins of e a c h th e y will be more o r ,

less t ormen t ed .

T h e th ought that th ese innumer able members w ere

t orn from Me fo r ever wa s t errible a nd insupp o r table ,

an d i t i s also th i s fatal f or w ar wh i c h i s a nd w il l be

th e gre at es t t o rmen t o f th e s e los t s oul s th r o ugh o u t

e t ernity I n th e over wh elming sorro w produ c ed b y
.

t h e th o ught of th is fata l f or ever I w o uld w illi n gly ,

have c o nsen t ed t o su ffer no t o nce bu t a n inni t e

, ,

number o f t imes th ese cruel sep ar ations w i th th eir

, ,

di fferen t l a cer ations t o re c o ver bu t one of th e s e s o uls

, ,

and se e i t again uni t ed t o My living members that ,

is t o My ele c t wh o live e t ern all y in t h e H o ly Spiri t

, ,

b y th e life wh i c h c omes fr o m Me Wh o a m th e living ,

life that i s th e life of all living c re at ures You m ay

, ,
.

j udge b y all that I have s aid h o w inexpre ssibly de ar ,

a h um an soul i s t o Me I t is als o nece ss ary y o u

.

sh o uld kno w that th is t errible f or ever afi ct s l o s t

s o uls t o s u c h a degree be c a use o f My jus t i c e that
, ,

th ere is n o t o n e wh o w ould no t w illingl y su ffer

v ari o us a nd inni t e p ains t o rec o ver th e h o pe o f being
re uni t ed t o Me at a n y peri o d
-
h o w ever dis tan t 3 bu t
,

a s t h e y never c an th is i s th e m o s t fright ful of th eir

,

s u fferings .C onsider what p ain I suff ered men tally in

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 36 7

my He a rt fo r all th e l o s t a nd that t o o un til th e ,

m o men t of My d e ath .

A ft er th is dis c o urse th e devou t s oul t o wh o m i t

,

w as a ddressed fel t a n a rden t de si re t o pr opose t o

Jesu s a c er tain doub t In c o nse quen c e s h e ven tured
.
,

t o say t o Him wi th respe c t a nd fe ar a nd als o w ith

, ,

th e gre at es t c o nden c e and simpli c ity : 0 swee t a nd

so rro w ful Jesus I have o ft en h e ard i t s a id that T h ou
has t endured all th e p ain s o f th e d amned ; a nd I
w ould w ish t o k n o w pro vided m y c uri o sit y d o es n o t
,

disple a se T h ee if T h ou ha s t experienced th e di ff eren t

,

p ains c aused in t h ese w re t c h ed s o uls b y c o ld h e at , ,

re gn a s h ing o f t ee th a nd o th er t o rmen t s wh ic h
, ,

th e y endure in h ell Tell me th en m y Jesus if

.
, , ,

Th ou dids t feel th ese th ings T h is que st ion appe ared .

n o t t o disple a se H i m and He replied : I have no t

,

fel t My d aught er th e differen t t ormen ts o f th e

, ,

d amned in th e m anner in wh i c h yo u understand t h em 3

that could n o t have been be c au se t h eir su ffering s are
,

th e su ffering s of members de ad and s ep arat ed fro m , ,

Me th eir He a d an d Body I will expl ain th i s t o

, .

y ou b y th e fo ll o wing c o mp ari so n I f one o f y o ur .

me m bers w ere di s e a sed yo u w ould feel keen ag o n y

,

u n t il t h e surge o n ha d c u t i t o ff fr o m y o ur b o dy 3 b u t

once rem o ved i t might be subm i tt ed t o th e a c ti o n

,

of re or ice or th r o w n t o d o gs o r w olves wi th o u t
, ,

y our s o ul experien c ing any o f th o se differen t t ormen t s ,

bec ause i t i s de ad a nd en tirely s ep arat ed fro m th e

,

h e a d Bu t y e t yo u wo uld no t be insen sible t o t h e ill

.

t re at men t of a member wh ic h ha d o n c e been yo ur s ,

and th e more i t was t o r m en t ed t h e m o re d o ub tle ss , , ,

y o ur h e ar t w ould feel fo r i t I n th e same way .

,

wh en m o r tal Sin t o re th e s e members fr o m My Bod y th e ,

p ain wa s t errible and bec ause th e y re tained durin g

, ,
 3 68 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

th eir life o n e ar th t h e p o w er t o be r e u n i t ed t o Me
, ,

I fel t un spe ak able and inni t e p ains 3 bu t aft er th eir

d e ath I fel t th is p ain n o m o re 3 bu t y e t I experienced
an o th er un spe ak able a nd i n c o mpreh ensible p ain in ,

c onsidering t hat th e y ha d been M y t rue a nd re a l

members and neverth eless w ere no w fallen u nder th e
,

p o w er of th e infern al spiri t s a nd w o uld su ffer diver s

,

o th er t o rmen t s for all e t erni ty .

A no th er sorro w wh ic h pierced My He art wa s

c a used b y M y ele c t th emselves 3 for y ou mus t kno w

t hat all th o s e a mong th em wh o have s inned o r wh o ,

will sin mortally have d o ne Me th e s ame inj ury b y

,

t h eir sep ar at i o n fro m Me a s th o s e wh o a re lo st Since ,

t h e y als o a re member s wh om sin ha s t orn fr o m M y

B o d y A S gre at a s th e love wh i c h I wa s t o have for
.

t h em a nd th e y for Me f o r ever a nd as gre at as th e

, , ,

degr a d at i o n t o wh i c h th ey fell b y Sin i s th e p ain ,

wh i c h I fel t in all th e s e My m ember s I n thi s i t .

di ffered fr o m that ini c t ed b y th e lo st that aft er th eir ,

de at h th e l at t er wa s felt no m o re wh ere a s I endured ,

all th e bi tt ernes s a nd p ain fro m wh i c h th e elec t su ffer

in life and aft er de ath n a mel y th e m ar tyrdo m s o f

all m ar tyrs th e t e m p tati o ns o f all th e t e m p t ed th e

, ,

i n rm it i e s o f all th e s i c k 3 th e per s ecu t i o ns dis c red i t s , ,

j o urney ings in a w o rd all th e afi c ti o n s gre at and

, ,

s m all o f ever y o n e o f t h e ele c t a nd that a s keenl y as

, ,

y o u w o uld feel a blo w o n y o ur e y e y o ur ha nd a nd

, ,

a n y o th er of y o ur member s No w consider th e num

.

ber of th e m ar ty rs a nd th e v arious t o rt ures wh i c h

,

e a c h of th em su ffered A d d t o t his th e su fferings of

.

all t h e ele c t th eir number a nd v arie ty a nd th en m ake

, ,

y o ur c al c ul ation I f yo u ha d a th ous and e y es han d s

.
, ,

fee t a nd o th er members a nd in e ac h member a th ou

, ,

s a nd differen t p a ins h o w ex quisi t e w ould no t suc h a t or

,
370 BLESSED BATTI STA VAR ANI .

c ommi tt ed Sin wi th such fa cili ty Never th eless L ord .

, ,

p ay no reg ard t o m y w ord s for if T hy b e n e c e n t ,

H a nd do no t res train me I shall d o even w orse thing s ,

t ha n befo re O Jesu s m y t rue L over s w ee t t o m y

.
,

h e a rt are all th ese p ains of whi c h T h o u ha s t t old me

SECOND PAIN THE S ORROW S . OF C H RIST F OR THE

SUFFERINGS OF HIS MOTHER ,

S . MARY MAGDALEN ,

AND HIS DISCI PLES .

Th e mos t lovi n g S a viour con tinued His recital
th us : He arken h e arken My d aught er D o no t
, , .

y e t spe ak th us I ha ve s till t o recoun t o th er mos t

.

bitt er p ains Fir s t that s harp s w ord wh i c h pierced

.
,

My S oul th e su ff erin g I me an of My pure and in

, , ,

n ocen t Mo th er ; for no one fel t s o deepl y a s s h e did

th e de ath a nd P a ssion of h er S on S h e w ell deserved .

t hat We s h ould ex al t h er in th e h e a vens a nd cro wn ,

h er !ueen o f angels a nd o f men T h e more an y c re a .

t ure is h u mi li at ed and afi c t ed in th is w orld fo r love

o f Me ,
th e more th e y are ex al t ed glo ri ed and re , ,

c o m p e n se d in th e kingdom o f h e a ven b y th e rule o f

God s jus tice No w a s no o n e on e ar th suffered so

.
,

much for Me a s th is mos t s w ee t and afflic t ed M o th er ,

n o o n e h as e qu alled h er in glory an d bec ause sh e wa s ,

t o Me a no th er s elf in My P a s si o n a nd sorro w s sh e i s in ,

h e aven ano th er self b y po w er and glory excep ting ,

onl y in divinit y in wh ic h sh e d o es n o t p art i c ip at e

, ,

fo r i t belo n g s t o U S Th ree al o n e Fath er S o n a nd

, ,

Hol y Gh os t Bu t be i t kno w n t o yo u that I th e

.
, ,

I n c arn at e G o d have su ffered no sorro w du ring My

,

m o rtal life that My beloved Mo th er ha s no t share d .

O nl y I su ff ered in a high er a nd more perfec t degree ,

bec a use I was M an G o d whi le My Mo th er wa s bu t-

,
 BLESS ED BATTISTA VARANI . 37 1

a pure and simple cre at ure I w ould willingl y have.

sp ared h er th is su ff ering a nd taken h er p ains upon

,

Mys elf . It w o uld ha ve been a sol a ce for Me a n ,

inexpressible consol ation 3 bu t a s I was n o t t o feel an y

sol a ce in My c ruel mar tyrd o m this favour was n o t ,

gran t ed Me al th ough wi th li al reveren c e I besought

,

i t m an y ti m es and w i th abund an c e o f t e ars

, .

A t t h ese w o rds that s o ul was pene t r at ed wi th
,

s uc h a livel y comp a s sion f o r th e gloriou s Virgin

M o th er that s h e al mo st faint ed a nd in th e exce ss o f
, ,

h er grief sh e could only pr o n o unce th ese w ords : 0

M o th er of God men s h ould no longer c al l y ou M o
th er of G od bu t Mo th er of Dolours Mo th er of al i c
, ,

t ions a nd p ains since y ou have s uff ered so ma n y

,

s o rro w s that i t i s impossible t o understand or enu

mer at e th em I f i t ha s been a h ell fo r thy S o n i t
.
,

ha s also been a h ell for th ee What o th er n ame c an .

I give i t that w oul d be suitable O m y L o rd no

,

more no more on th e s o rro ws of T hy bles sed Mo th er ;

,

spe ak no more t o m e of th em I c a n be ar no more ,

.

W hat T h ou ha s t alre ad y t o ld me i s en o ugh for my

wh ole life w ere i t t o l a s t a th ous and y e ar s
,
.

Jesu s seeing that sh e wa s o verp o wered wi th
co m p a s sion w en t on t o say : If yo u o nly kne w
,

,

my d a ug ht er h o w muc,
h I ha d t o s u ffer fr o m t h e

afic ti o n o f My beloved disc iple t h e t ender M agd a ,

len Bu t i t is a mys tery wh i c h nei th er yo u n o r an y

o th er c an compre h end 3 be c au s e i t i s in h er [ a nd in

Me that all h o l y a nd Spirit u al love s that have ever

been have found th eir beginning a nd fo und atio n .

T h o se wh o have th e a c t ive and p assive e x perien c e of

h oly a nd sp iritu al love c an fo r m s o m e ide a o f My
,

perfec tion a s a l o ving M as ter a nd o f t h e l o ve and,

go o dness of My bel o ved d isc iple 3 bu t in prac tice n o

o n e ca n att a in t o i t Never did su.c h a M a s t er mee t
3 72 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

wi th such a disciple and th ere never has been or

, ,

w ill be ano th er M agd alen

,
Next t o My Mo th er
.
,

M agd alen fe l t mos t c o mp as sio n fo r My P a ssion and

de ath I t wa s for th is re ason that aft er M y re su rre c
.

t i o n sh e re c eived My r s t vi si t wh i c h c o uld no t ha ve
,

happened ha d an y o th er surp a s sed h er in s o rro w 3 b u t

be c ause sh e was t h e mos t afi c t ed aft er My Mo t h er ,

sh e wa s al s o t h e rs t a ft er h er wh o deserv ed t o be
, ,

c on so led .

Wh en My m o s t bel o ved Jo h n re st ed on My bos o m

during th e Las t S upper I m a de h im ; se e c le arly M y
,

resurrec t i o n a nd th e abund a n t frui t t hat wo uld resul t

,

fr o m My sufferin gs an d de ath Nevert h ele ss h e fel t .

,

M y s u fferings m o re keenl y tha n a ny o th er di s ciple ,

bu t n o t m o re than My loving M agd alen wh o was ,

no t c ap able o f re c eiving su c h h ig h a nd sublime c o m

m u n i c ati o n s a s h e did I f J o h n ha d been able t o pre
.

ven t My P assi o n h e cer tainly w o uld n o t have d o ne i t

, ,

k n o w ing t h e i m mense bene t s that w ould resul t fro m

it. I t was n o t th u s w i th My de ar M agd al en 3 s h e
kne w no o th er go o d b u t Me al o ne S o that wh en sh e .

saw Me dr aw M y l a st bre ath S h e believed sh e ha d

,

l o s t everyth ing in h e aven a nd o n e art h be c au s e in Me ,

w as all h er h ope h er l o ve h er pe a c e h er c o n so l at i o n 3
, , ,

and th en h er s o rr o w was w i th o u t m e a sure T h ere .

fo re I c ordi all y c arried h er in M y s o ul a nd I re c eived ,

fro m h er all th e t enderne ss o f wh i c h a h o ly a nd

spiri tu al l o ve is c ap able .

I f yo u de sire t o un d ers tand be t t er what I ha ve
s ai d observe t h e diff eren c e that exis ted be tw een M y
,

d is c iple s a nd th is s inner wh o de tac h ed h erself from

,

everything that was no t Me Aft er My de ath th e y .

re turned t o t h eir net s bu t sh e did n o t re turn t o h er

,

luxurious life Burnin g an d in amed w ith h ol y

.
374 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

ha d for h i s c h ildren n o br o th er for h is bre thren n o

, ,

m a st er fo r h is di sc iple s a l o ve s o t ender a nd cordi al as

,

that wh ic h I bore th e s e M y bel o ved bre th ren a nd dis

c ipl e s th e s e ble ss ed ap o s t les
,
Al t h o ugh I have ever .

l o ved all c re at ures w it h a n in ni t e love still I ha d a ,

speci al predile c t i o n fo r th o se w it h wh o m I lived on

e a r th . T h erefo re wh en I ex cl aimed M y so ul is ,

so rro wf ul even un t o de ath i t wa s le ss fr o m th e c o n
,

siderat io n o f My o w n su ff erin gs tha n o f th e s u ffer ings ,

of th ose wh o w ere ab o u t t o be left w i th ou t Me th eir ,

He ad M a st er a nd Fath er 3 a nd th is ab and o nmen t

, ,

wa s s o p ai nful t o Me that i t s e e m e d an o th e r de ath

,
.

W h o ever meditat es upon th e l a s t dis co urse that I

a ddres s ed t o th em c anno t bu t be moved t o t e ars h o w ,

ever in s en sible h e m ay be bec ause every w ord is full ,

o f c omp assi o n a nd o w ed from th e dep th of M y He art

, ,

wh i c h s eemed burs ting w it h l o ve of t h em .

I saw more o ver h o w for love o f Me one w oul d
, ,

be c ru c ied a no th er beh e a ded a n o th er ayed 3 I saw

, , ,

i n S h o rt b y what so r t of m ar tyrdom e a c h one of t h e m

,

w o uld ni sh h i s life Judge from that th e p ain M y

.

soul experien c ed If y ou w ere c lo s el y uni t ed t o a

.

perso n b y t h e t ies o f h o ly l o ve and y ou saw h im i n ,

s u l t e d t o r t ured su ffering be c au s e o f y o u h o w w re t c h ed
, , ,

w ould yo u be t o se e y ourself th e c ause of hi s su ff erin gs .

Yes y our deep dis tres s w ould be all th e gre at er that

, ,

o u w ould w is h on th e con t r a ry t o procure hi m a ll

y , ,

s o r t s of good thi n gs h o nours a nd c onsol at ions N o w

, ,
.

i t was I My d augh ter wh o wa s t o be th e c ause of th e

, ,

m isfo r tunes of M y ap o s t les What more is nece s s ary.

t o expl a in t o y ou M y so rro w s a nd t o m a ke y ou c o m ,

pre h end h o w deserv ing th e y are of vour c omp assi o n !


BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 75

THIRD PAIN THE SORRO W S OF CHRIST F OR THE I N

.

GRATITUDE OF THE JEW ISH P E OPLE AND OF ALL ,

CREATURES ; HIS ES PECIAL SORRO W IN [ THE G AR

DEN .

A NOTHER s o rro w wh i c h pierced My He art c o n
,

t i n u al l y like a th ree edged a nd p o i so ned bl a de w a s th e

,
-
,

impie ty a nd ingrat i tude o f Jud as rst My bel o ved d is ,

~

c ipl e th en M y w i c ked be t r ay er
, 3 t h e hardne s s a nd per
verse ingr at i t ude o f th e Je wi sh peop le wh o m I c h o s e 3
a nd th e evil blindne ss and ingrat i tude o f all c re ature s
w h o ha ve been are a nd w ill be , ,
C on sider rs t th e
.

ingrat i tude o f Jud a s wh o m I c h o se fo r o n e o f M y

,

a p o s t le s wh o s e sin s I fo rg a ve up o n wh o m I c o nferred
, ,

th e p o w er of w orking mira cle s and who m I m ade t h e ,

d i spenser of th e O ffering s m a de t o Me \Vh en 1 s aw

.

t h e de sign o f be t r ay ing Me fo rming in h i s h e ar t I ,

re d oubled th e pro o fs of My t enderne ss t o turn h i m ,

fr o m h is crim in al th o ught s bu t i t wa s o f n o avail ;

,

n o t h ing w ould t o u c h h i s wi c ked h e ar t O n th e c o n

.

t rary t h e m o re a ffe c t ion I sh o wed h i m th e m o re h e

, ,

w as ha rdened in h i s p e r d i o u s re so lu ti o n Wh en .
,

a t th e La st S upper I perfo r m ed th e h u m ble and

,

t o u c h ing c ere m o n y o f wa sh ing My disc ipl e S fee t My

,

He ar t c o uld n o t c o ntain i t s elf 3 bu t I wep t bi tterl y ,

a nd wat ered h i s p o llu t ed fee t wi th My t e ar s fo r I ,

s a id w i th in My s e l f :

0 Jud a s ! what have I t h en
done t o yo u that yo u s ho uld be tray Me thu s ! 0 u n
,

h app y dis c iple ! i s this t o be th e l a st pr o o f I shall

ever be able t o give o f My love for yo u ! O so n o f
perdi tio n ! why dos t th o u le ave Thy Fath er and
M a st er ! 0 Jud a s if yo u w o uld have thir ty pie c es
,

of silver why n o t go and ask th em from My Mo th er

,

a nd th ine ; s h e w o uld ; s ell h er s elf t o free t h ee a nd

 376 BLESSED BATTISTA VAR ANI .

Me from d anger and de ath Ah ! un gr at eful disciple .

,

t od ay I was h thy fee t a nd kis s th em w i th so muc h

,

love and in a fe w h ours th o u wil t kiss My Fac e t o

, ,

deliver Me u p t o M y enemies O de ar and beloved .

s o n what a re t urn t h ou m a kes t t o O ne wh o w eeps

,

th e loss o f th ee more tha n His o w n P assion and

de ath be c ause for th is He c a me in t o t h i s w orld
,
.

Wh ile M y He ar t wa s spe aking th us My t e ars ,

wat ered h is fee t bu t h e saw t h em n o t be c ause I wa s

, ,

kneeling befo re h im M y He a d ben t d o wn and M y long

, ,

ha ir falling abou t My Fa c e so that h e c o uld no t se e M y

,

t e arful coun t en ance B u t Joh n m y beloved di sc iple

.
, ,

t o wh om I h ad reve aled all th e my s t eries of M y

P a ssion during th is sad S upper ob s erved My every ,

a c t ion s aw M y t e ars o w o n th e fee t of th e t r ai to r

, ,

and unders t ood t hat th ey pro c eeded fr o m th e t ender

ness of My love W h en a fat h er s ees h is o nl y
.

son abou t t o die h e is e ager t o serve h im a nd

, ,

s ay s in h is h e a r t Fa re w ell m y so n t hi s is th e l a st
,
, ,

service I s hall be able t o render y ou T hu s did I ac t .

t o wards Jud a s wh en I wa sh ed and kissed h is fee t

,
.

INh en I c a ressed a nd ki ssed th em w i th t ender comp a s

sio n J o h n p e rc e ivi n g wi th h i s e agle e y e all My ge sture s
, ,

a nd a c t ions wa s more de a d tha n alive w ith w o nder

,

a nd a dmir at i o n W h en at lengt h I appr o ac h ed t o wa s h

.

h i s fee t for h i s h umili ty ha d m a de h im take th e l a s t

,

pl a ce on seeing me s t oop h e c ould n o longer c ontain

,

h imself bu t a s I knel t h e th re w h is arms round M y

,

ne c k and h eld me fast in a long embr a c e as if fain t ing

, ,

w eeping and s o bbing a nd s aying in h is h e art w it h ,

ou t u tt erin g a sound O m y de ar M as t er m y
,

Bro th er m y L o rd a nd m y G o d h o w ha s t T h o u
,

h ad th e c o urage t o was h a nd kiss w i th T hy s a cred

M o u th th e cursed fee t of th is infamous t rai t or ! O
0
a 78 BLESSED BA TTISTA VARANI .

Wi th h o w m any bene t s did I n o t l o a d th em duri n g

t h e l a s t t h ree y e ars of M y life giv in g sight t o t h e ,

blind h e aring t o th e de af spee c h t o th e du m b h e al th

, , ,

t o t h e s i c k a nd li fe t o th e de a d
,
Wh en I h e ard .

t h em c ry w ith in c o n c eiv able r age We w ill n o t ,

have th i s M a n : c ru c ify H im a nd give us B ar abb a s , ,

My He ar t s ee m ed t o be ren t a s under N o ne bu t .

t h ey wh o ha ve ha d experience of i t s bit t erness kn o w

what i t i s t o mee t w it h all kinds of i ll tre at ment
f r o m th o se w e have l o a ded w i th all sor t s o f fav o ur s .

B u t th ere is s o me th ing still m o re rev o lt ing t o h e a r ,

a wh ole pe o ple c ry o u t ag ain st a j u st a nd inno c en t

M an L e t Him die le t H i m die 1 a nd fo r t h e viles t
, ,

o f c ri m in al s ,
L e t h i m be delivered l e t h im be de ,

livered l Th e s e are th ing s wh i c h c an be fel t r at h er
t ha n spoken

.

T h e s e w o rd s inspired th is h ol y s oul w ith su c h deep
s en t i m en t s o f h umili ty that sh e c o nfe ss ed in all sin c e
,

ri ty t o G o d and t h e wh ole c o ur t o f h e a ven that sh e ha d

re c eived m o re gift s a nd more gr a c es t ha n Jud as a nd

t h e Je wi sh pe o ple bu t ha d never th ele ss be t r ay ed a nd

,

c ru c i ed h er divine M a st er I n t his persu a si o n S h e

.

de scended in t h o ught t o h ell a nd pl a c in g h ers elf ,

under t h e fee t o f Jud a s sh e c ri ed w i t h a pl ain t ive a nd

,

t o u c h ing v o i c e 0 m y L o rd fu ll o f goodne s s what re

,

, ,

t urn c an I m a ke T h ee f o r having b o rne w i th me I wh o ,

a m a t h ous and t ime s more c rim in al than t h e t rai t or

J u d a s ! T h o u dids t o nly c h o o s e h im t o be T hy d i s
c ip l e ,
b u t T h o u ha s t a dop t ed me fo r T hy d augh t er
a nd Thy sp o u s e T h ou d i d st p ard o n h is sins an d
.
,

T h ou ha s t al so p ardoned mine Th o u did s t conde .

t o h i m th e di spens ati o n o f T hy e arthl y go o d s bu t ,

T h ou ha s t c onded T hy spiri t u al ri c h es t o me 3 fo r i t
i s from Th y t re a sures t hat I have received s o m an y
-
 BLESSED BATTISTA VA RANI . 37 9

f a vo urs, so m any val u able gift s Th ou did st pl a ce .

1 11 h is ha nds th e po w er of w ork
i n g m ira cles bu t T h o u ,

h a s t perfo rmed for me th e gre at es t o f all in w i th

,

d r aw ing me from th e w o rld a nd pl a cin g me wh ere

,

I n o w a m An d after s o m an y gr a c es O my Jesu s !
.
, ,

I have be tray ed a nd s o ld T h ee no t on c e like Thy , ,

p e r d i o u s dis c iple b u t t ime s w i th o u t number

, .

Ah if th e in grat i tude o f th e Je ws s eems t o

Th ee so bl a c k a nd insupp o r t able wha t mu st m ine ,

appe ar ! for I hav e cer tain ly tre at ed T h ee w o rs e t ha n

th e y aft er havin g re c eived fr o m Thy liberali ty m an y
,

m o re bene t s ! e s i t is T h ou my mos t s w ee t Jesu s

.
, , ,

Wh o h as t delivered me from th e Egyp tia n bond age o f

m y sins a nd from th e hands o f that c ruel Phar a o wh o
,

ruled my p o o r soul at h is ple a sure I t wa s Th o u W h o .

dids t o pen up a p at h fo r me thr ough th e se a o f th e

w o rl d and i ntr o duced me int o th e de ser t of religi o n
, .

S c arcely ha d I en t ered i t wh en Th o u m ade st a delici o u s

,

m ann a t o r ai n up o n me wh i c h p art ook o f every ta st e

,

I c o uld desire I wo uld spe ak L ord of T hy spirit u al

.
, ,

c o ns o l at i o n s wh i c h rendered th e ple asure s of t h e

,

w o rld in sipid t o me 3 ple as ure s wh ic h al to ge th er are ,

n o t t o be c o mp a red w i th one o f th e le a s t o f T h ine .

I t was T h o u W h o g ave s t me o n th e S in ai o f h o l y
meditat i o n T hy spiri tu al l aw engraven by th e nger ,

o f T hy merc y o n t h e s t o n y t able o f m y h e ar t I t was .

T h o u Wh o di d st pro t e c t me ag ains t th e ve h emenc e of

m y p a ssions and g ave s t me t h e vi c t o ry o ver t h e m
,
.

T h o u w er t b o rn in m y h e ar t by grac e and Th o u dids t ,

S ho w me b y Thy di vine l ight t h e p ath I s h o uld fo ll o w

t o arrive at Th ee th e t rue P a ra di s e
,
T ho u has t m ade .

me see speak h e ar and walk 3 fo r I was indeed

, , ,

blind dumb de af p ar al yz ed in min d and in cap able

, , , ,

of all spiri tu al t h ings What more c an I s ay 0

.
,
3 80 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

m y God ! W a s i t p o ssible that Th ou couldes t have

do n e more for me ! Ye t wh o ha s sc o urged T h ee !

I W h o ha s cro wned T h ee w ith t h o rns ! I Wh o

. .

ha s given Th ee g all a nd vineg ar t o drink ! I W h o .

ha s c ru c ied T h ee ! I .

O m y God ! T h o u kn o w e st why I say that I ha ve

d o n e all th ese th ings It is be c ause I have seen
.

light in T hy light a nd I kno w t hat m y sins have

,

c au s ed T h ee more p ain tha n all Th y c o rporal s u f

f e ri n gs. Spe ak no m o re t o me th en of th e ingr a , ,

t itu d e o f men I kn o w enoug h o f i t since T h ou has t

.
,

given me gra ce t o see at le ast in s o me degree my o w n

, , ,

a nd that is su ffi c ien t t o m ake me c ompre h end th e

af ic tion T h o u did st feel at th e ingrat it ude of al l
m ankind W h en I c onsider b y T hy light th e evil
.

that I a nd so m an y o th ers have d o ne T h ee I am l o s t ,

in w onder at th e pati e n c e Th o u ha s t s h o w n t o su c h
ungr at eful cre at ure s and th e c hari ty w ith wh i c h T ho u
,

ha s t unce a singl y provi ded for all our t empor al a nd

spiri tu al wan t s To u nders ta nd full y O m y God all
.
, ,

th e dep th s of m y ingr at i tude w ould be a s difcul t a s,

t o number all th e m a rvel s T ho u hast w r o ught fo r T hy

ungr at eful cre at ures in h e aven and o n e ar th in th e ,

wat er a nd every o th er elemen t T h ere i s bu t T h ee .

,

L ord I confe s s a nd believe th ere i s bu t T h ee t o

, , ,

Wh om i t is kno wn T h ou alone c an st kn o w th e n u m
.

h e r and e x t ent of T hy bene t s a nd T h ou alone c an st ,

appre c i at e t h e enormi ty of our ingr at it ude and kno w ,

th e h orrible evil T hy cre at ure s have d o ne ag ains t

T h ee ! e s m y Jesus I c onfe ss th is t ru t h in m y
.
, ,

o w n n am e a nd in that o f all Thy cre at ure s wh o are

, ,

n o t one momen t in exis t en c e wi th ou t abusin g Thy

bene t s and rendering ourselves c o n t inu all y guilty
,

of th e bl a ckes t ingr at i t ude ; an ingratitude wh ic h I

3 82 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

th ere sufcien t nourishmen t It is no t fo r every o n e

.

t o s ai l on th is se a e spe c i all y for w omen since o u r

, ,
'

c ap a ci ty is l imit ed Neverth ele ss God gives th e po w er

.

t o all wh o a sk i t of Him in t ru th .

O m y fath er !y ou c a n n o t t ell what I have su ffered
in wri ting th ese th ings V erily a s th e se a is my con
.

t ri ti o n .

[ It a ppe ars that th is pos t scrip t wa s a d ded b y th e

Bles s ed B att is ta th ree y e ars l at er in 1 491 wh en sh e
, ,

c opied ou t th e origin a l documen t in order t o send i t

, ,

w ith a n arr at ive of h er life t o h er spiri tu al direct or 1

, .
 SUPPL E MENT T O THE

I
L FE OF T H E

B L E S SE D B A T TI S T A V A RA NI .
"

C H AP TER I .

HE R HU MIL ITY .

I T is t ruly a dmir able to see th e length t o whi c h th e

z e al of th is bl essed soul w en t for th e h o nour o f God
'

Her desire t o promo t e H is glory was as gre at as h er

h orror o f everything that could p o s sibly dimini sh i t .

T hus fo r example h er h umility persu a ded h er that

, ,

sh e wa s th e mos t w icked a nd ungr at eful o f c re at ure s ,

and s h e regarded th e gra c es a nd favours wh i c h G o d

gr an t ed h er as mispl ac ed in h er h e ar t wh ic h S h e c o n ,

c e i v e d t o be th e vile s t pl a c e in t h e wo rld 3 a nd fro m

th is convic t ion sh e believed h ers elf o bli ged t o h id e

th e m w ith th e gre at es t c are S h e wo uld o ft en devis e
.

some excu s e o r o th er t o wit h draw fro m th e spiritu al

5 T hi s su pp le m e n t lle c tio fro m diff re n t l e t t e rs f
is a co n e o

t hi s s e van t o f G o d t o a p i e s t w h o se n m e i s
r r k o wn an d
a un n
,

w h o w a s p o b ably o n e o f h e c o fe sso s
,
r ,
r I t a ppe ars t h at
n r .

F at h e r Pasc c c i o ly e di t d t his c o ll e c t i on c h a g in g t h e o rde

u n e ,
n r,

t h e b e t t e r t o e xhi b it e ac h o f t h e v i rt e s o f t h S ai n t
u Th e e .

r e a d e r m u s t n o t f o g e t t h at i t i s sh e wh o sp e k s i
r , t h e thir d a n

p e so t o c o n c e al he rse lf as m u c h as p o ssible
r n
,
.
3 84 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

re a ding m a de in comm o n fe aring les t s o me th ing migh t

,

e s c ape h er wh i c h w o uld m a ke th o se pre s en t im agine

s h e ha d re c eived s o m e fa v o ur fr o m G o d F or t h e.

s ame re as on S h e warned th e re a der n o t t o go on re a d

ing abou t th e P a ssi o n wh ile th e sis t ers w ere at me als ,

for that th ey c ould n o t e at comfo rtabl y wh en li s t ening

t o that hi s t or y of l o ve . S h e did th i s les t an y o n e
s h o uld observe h er o w n c o nduc t duri n g th e re a ding ,

o r take no t e of a n y o u t wa rd Sign s h e might th en give

o f h er feelings . S h e also c ame s eldom t o th e refec t ory ,

prin c ip ally for t h e s ame re a son .

I disclo s e th e s e th ings t o y ou m y son and my fath er

,

in Jesus C h ris t that y ou m ay le arn fr o m thi s soul t o

,

h ide th e gr a ces a nd th e Sp i ri t wh ic h God gives y ou ,

un til i t ple a ses Him t o c o mm and y ou t o do o th erwise .

Oh h o w happ y i s th e s oul wh o desires no o th er w i t

,

ne ss of h er spirit u al o perat ions t han h er C re at o r .

You c anno t im agine h o w m any dif cul ties thi s thy

mo th er ha d t o o verc o me fo r thi s re a s o n 3 h o w m an y
a tta c k s presump t u o u s judg m en t s r a s h a nd fal se t es t i
, ,

m o nies t o be ar H o w o ft en h as i t happened t o h er
.

t o be repr o ved a ud h u m bled before h er s is t ers a nd

br o th ers fo r th ing s w o r thy o f prais e in th e ey es o f
,

G o d a nd m a n 3 bu t in t h e mids t o f th e s e t em pes ts sh e

r em a ined rm c ons ta n t a nd im m o v able in h er re so lu

, ,

t i o n s wi th th e sure c onden c e t hat h er fai t h ful S p o u s e

,

w ould t ake sw o rd in ha nd o n h er be half a nd wh en ,

t h e tting t ime c a me w o uld ju st ify h er a ft er h er fa i th

,

an d p at ience ha d been su i c i e n tl y t rie d Thi s so ul o n

.
,

h er p ar t m anife st ed mu c h upright ness o f h e art seek

, ,

ing t o ple ase G o d alone h eeding no t th e judgmen t s

,

of men and c arin g little t o nd h erself c overed w i th

,

c o nfusion provided sh e c o uld s ave th e h o nour of h er

,

M a s t er . Be c areful my son never t o rob G od of an y

, ,
386 B LESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

Your mo th er; fe aring les t sh e sh ould rob God of th e

love due t o H i m from h er en trance in t o religion un t il
,

th is h o ur ha s al way s taken c are never t o give h er

,

wh o le self t o a n y o n e n o r t o su ffer o th ers t o give

,

th eir wh o le s elve s t o h er 3 b u t sh e stro ve t o l o ve all

w i t h a general l o ve that S h e might n o t be l o ved undul y
in re turn Al th o ugh very affe c t io n at e b y n ature sh e
.
,

has a vo ided all o c c asi o ns o f l o ving an y o n e or o f ex ,

ci ting 1o ve in o th ers t o ward s h erself I f sh e s ome t imes .

o bserved tha t a n y o n e loved h er more tha n o th ers sh e ,

wa s deepl y grieved and be so ught G o d w i th abund an c e

,

of t e ar s t o t emper th e affe c tion of th i s pers o n fo r h er ,

or t o ex tingui sh i t en t irel y At o th er t i m e s t o rel i eve

.
,

h erself o f t h is i m p o r tun at e l o ve Sh e so ught t o t urn i t,

in an o th er dire c t i o n t o wards so me o n e sh e believed

,

t o be more deserving t h a n h er s elf S h e did all t h i s .

t h at sh e might n o t w i th dr aw fr o m h er C re at or tha t
love wh i c h He al o ne meri t s I n s h o rt I afrm t hat.
,

n o c re a t ure ever t o o k s o mu c h ple a s ure j o y a nd c o n , ,

s ol ati o n in s eeing i t s elf loved a s sh e fo und ann o yance

, ,

s o rr o w a nd di sple a sure i n th e affe c t i o n of wh i c h sh e

,

w as t h e o bje c t wh en sh e s aw i t wa s n o t a c c ording t o
,

G o d 3 a nd o ver t hi s s h e w o uld s h ed bit t er t e ar s .

T h ere is a w o nderful revel at ion m y so n wh i c h yo u , ,

m u s t ask G o d t o dis c l o s e t o y ou : i t i s t o m ake yo u s e e

c le a rl y what yo u a re what o u a re c ap able o f wha t y o u
y , ,

kn o w and what yo u de serve Wi th o u t th is revel ati o n

, .

none c an attain perfe c ti o n 3 i t i s a s e c re t wh i c h o n e

m an c ann o t le arn fr o m a n o th er fo r i t is l aid up in th e
,

S a c red He ar t o f Jesu s C h ri st wh o d o e s n o t di sc o ver i t

,

t o all b u t onl y t o a fe w a nd that no t e qu ally fo r He

, , ,

s ay s more t o o n e a nd less t o a no th er a c c ording t o th e

, ,

di e re n t degree s o f perfe c t i o n t o wh i c h e a c h is c alled .

I believe t h e se c re t c anno t be en t irel y unders t ood i n

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .
387

t h is miser able life bu t o nl y i n th e future wh en w e

, ,

s hall fully and truly c o m preh end our vi lenes s o ur ,

frail ty a nd o ur fo lly N o w i t is from this re v

, . el atio n
that humili ty of h e ar t c o mes wh i c h doe s n o t s trike ,

t h e e y e s o f men bu t wh i c h God be h o ld s a nd l o o ks o n
,

w i t h s ati sfa c tio n Yo ur spiri t u al m o th er w o uld never

.

de sire any o t h er revel a ti o n tha n th e kn o wle dge o f

G o d a nd o f h er s elf
,
A n d y e t t h e D i spen s er o f gra c e s
.

al way s genero us and b o un t iful ha s added m an y o th ers , ,

a n d no t denied h er t ha t o n e .

S everal y e ar s ago m y so n t his so ul wh il e pr ayin g

, , ,

befo re a c ru c ix was divinely enligh t ened o n t h is pre

,

c i o us t ru th t hat sh e c o uld n o t arrive a t perfe c ti o n

,

w ith ou t kn o wing a n o th er t rini ty be side s th e divine

T rini ty . Jus t as t o be a C hri sti an i t i s ne c e ssary t o
believe a nd c o nfe ss o n e M o s t H o ly Trini ty Fa th er , ,

S o n a nd H o l y G h o s t 3 s o in like m anner t o be c o me
,

perfect i t i s ne c e ssary t o bel i eve th is t riple veri ty

,

n am ely t ha t befo re G o d w e a re b ut n o thing all

, ,

fo o l i sh and all de t e stable 0 M o st Ble ss ed Trinity !

,
.

T h o u art nei th er kn o wn v alued n o r believed by ig , ,

n o ran t spiri t u a l per s o n s 0 m y G o d s aid s h e r a th er

.
, ,

take fro m m e m y b o dily life than t h e kno wle d ge o f

th i s loving t ru th Redu c e m y b o n e s t o p o wder rat her
.

than permit t h i s d o c tri ne o f e t ern al wisd o m t o dep ar t

fr o m m y mind I c ann o t gl o ry in my p o wer sin c e
. ,

i
m y p o wer n th ing 3 s o n o r in m y w i s d o m sin c e I a m ,

bu t a fo o l 3 n o r in m y m eri t s s i n c e I am a c re ature
,

vile and ab o min able in th e ey e s o f t h e L o rd m o re t o ,

he hat ed tha n ha t red i t s elf .

He wh o c o m m i ts sin be c o m e s t h e servan t o f sin 3 t his

,

is of fa i t h . A n d s in c e s i n i s n o t hi ng in c o m mi tt ing
,

I ha ve ft en d ne I ha ve be c o m e th e sl a ve of
s in a s
,
o o ,

n th in g I a m th en les s t h an n o t h in
g since I a m
a o ; g ,

25
2
3 88 BLESSED BATTISTA V ARANI .

a s mu c h belo w th is n o th ing as th e s e rvan t is bel o w

h is m a st er T hat sin i s no th ing m ay be g ath ered
.

fr o m th e proper ty i t p o ss esse s o f a nnih il ating in us th e

im age o f G o d b y W h o m s ays S J o h n all th ings
, ,
.
,

w ere m a de .

Hen c e wh en th e s o ul feel s in h er s elf th e p o w er o f

d o ing g o o d sh e m ay be sure that i t i s t h e Perso n of

,

th e E t ern al Fath er wh o c o mes t o aid h er nulli ty .

I n th e sam e m anner wh en sh e s ee s that sh e c an spe ak

,

a nd in st ru c t o th ers in t h e Spiri tu al life sh e o ught t o ,

re c o gniz e that th e wi sd o m o f th e So n m akes h er fo lly

w i s e Again wh en t h e s o ul perc eive s that s h e love s
.
,

G o d a nd i s bel o ved b y H i m sh e m ay w ell believe

, ,

that i t i s th e Hol y S piri t wh o l o ves h er and renders ,

h er hat efulnes s lov able B y fav o ur o f t h is light this

.
,

s o ul refers t o God all that sh e ha s of g o o d and i s free ,

fro m th e pride wh i c h t h e angel expelle d fr o m P ar a

di s e 3 so that sh e c an s ay and Sin g w i th th e Pr o p h e t ,

L o rd m y h e art i s n o t ex al t ed n o r are m y e y es l o fty
, ,
.

T hi s perso n h eld i t fo r a c er tain t ru th that if a soul , ,

h o w ever Spirit u al did n o t o b tain th i s ligh t th is kno w

, ,

ledge th i s ne c e ssary revel at i o n sh e c ould never

, ,

s in c erel y a nd c o rdi all y h umble h er s elf befo re G o d

and befo re men .

Kn o w that sh e i s reveren t in h er ex t eri o r ac t i o ns ,

an d a n irre c o n c il able enem y t o shamefu l hypo c ris y .

Nevert h eless n o t o n l y in privat e b u t in publi c sh e

, , ,

o ft en ki ss e s t h e p a ve m en t o f t h e c h ur c h wh i c h h er

si st ers have t r o d o n believin g h er s elf un w o rthy t o be

,

able t o pu t h er m o u th o n t h e fo o tprin t s o f th e s e pure

virgin s I wri t e th i s w i th t e ar s in m y e y e s bec au s e
.
,

i t c o st s me mu c h t o d i scl o s e s e c re t s l o n g sh u t up in
my h e ar t bu t I c ann o t re si st th e fo r c e o f yo ur dev o ti o n
,

a nd y our prayers C onsider O blessed soul th at sh e

.
, ,
 390 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

t ion for wi th o u t th i s I c an never be perfec t 3 a nd y e t

,

m y pries tl y o f c e d em ands perfe c t io n S ay th is t o .

Him w it h a h e ar t full o f c o nden c e 3 He wi ll cer tainl y

give yo u th i s gra ce fo r He s h o w er s gr ac e s on t h e j us t
,

a nd o n th e wi cke d e ven wh en t h e y ask t h em no t o u t

, ,

of th e fulness of H is mercy T h erefo re th i s so u l wh om .

y ou l o ve wil l sing thro ugh ou t e t ernit y t h e merc ies o f

t h e L ord .

I w ould wi sh yo u t o serve th e L o r d no t a s a sla ve , ,

from t h e fe ar of t em por al and e t ern al c ha s tisemen t s 3

neith er as a sinner wh o lo o ks f o r a re ward 3 bu t as
,

a n o ble c h ild wh o gives t o h is g o o d Fat h er l o ve for

,

love blo o d fo r bl o o d life fo r life Be h old t h ese

, ,
.

h idden p ath s sh o rt as th e y are wh i c h es c ape h um a n

, ,

e y es bu t wh i c h are perfe c tl y kno wn t o G o d t o Wh om

, ,

all is o pe n W hat I spe ak o f i s a m o vemen t o f affe c

.

t ion 3 and if i t be pure G o d w a i ts n o t fo r t h e s o ul

, ,

t o take t h e rs t s t ep bu t open s at o n c e t o h er th e
,

t re a sur e s o f His immense w isd o m 3 He wai ts n o t fo r h er

t o kn o c k at t h e do o r of His divine m er c y t o c o me t o h er
a id 3 sh e re c eive s befo re sh e a sk s i t m ore t han S h e
, ,

c an desire m o re tha n sh e kn o w s h o w t o ask Our

.

m erciful an d l o vin g Je sus i s ex tremel y liber a l t o wa rds .

th ose wh o conform th emsel ve s t o H im a nd O pen t o ,

Him a genero us and m ag n a nim o u s h e art 3 b ut He w ill .

n ever d w ell in a s t r a i t ened a nd b a se h e a r t be c ause H e ,

is gre at and h igh a bove all gods !Exo d xviii
,
. .

L e ave t h en bel o ved s o ul le a ve t h i s de c eit ful a nd

, ,

rd i o u s w o rld n o t from th e fe a r o f h ell a s a Sl a ve

'

p e , ,

n o r from th e h o pe o f a re c ompe n s e a s a Sinner b u t a s ,

a lovi n g d aught er and spouse fro m pure l o ve for y our ,

cru c ied Jesus Pre ss Him in t h e arms of y our m o s t

.

t ender a ffe c t io n s Your m o t h er h as given yo u t h e

.

ex ample 3 for sh e grieved for what sh e ha d no t an d

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 39 1

was no t a nd that sh e could no t give up mo re for th e

,

l ove of Jesus cru cied wh om s h e loved w ith a pur e ,

h e ar t a nd perfec t in t ention .

A s i t is necess ary for t h e s o ul wh o w oul d attain th is

poin t t o keep h er mind xed on God as much as h er ,

fra il ty and di vine gra ce w ill permi t s h e c an do no th ing ,

m o re useful tha n th is Th is att en t ion t o G o d san c t ie s

.

th e soul in am e s h er affect i o n s enli ght ens h er under

, ,

s tandin g a nd pre serves h er from veni al s ins ; i t sweeps

,

away h er vices and is th e bes t prep aratio n fo r pray er

,

and medi tation M an y persons pray all d ay wi th o u t

.

keeping God before th eir minds a nd feel dry inde , ,

vo n t a nd full of di slike for thi s h o ly exerc ise and th e y

, ,

t ell y ou I have n o t th e gr ace o f prayer B ut i t is

,
.

n o t so . T h e re a s o n is that th ey take no p ains t o t

th emselves for i t by direc ting th eir t h ough ts t o God
,
.

T h o se wh o consider h o w t o do so bes t arrive a t t h e ,

desired end wi th ou t del ay a nd o b tain th e gr ac e o f ,

t e ars c ompunc t ion s w ee t nes s and dev o tio n T his was

, , ,
.

s h o w n t o y our m o th er b y th e H o l y S piri t tha t h er ,

s o ul migh t be m o re arden t for this an gelic exerci se 3

a nd in t ru th sh e posses s e s th e grace o f invokin g h er
Redeemer in h er h e art an d keeping th e reme m branc e ,

of H im w i th in h er .

S uc h is th e me th od whi c h trul y wise and spiri tu al

men fo ll o w an d wh ic h th e y will c on t inue t o fo ll o w
,

for ever in th e glory o f h e aven T h ere i s n o be t t er .

sign b y wh ic h t o know if any o n e i s w ri tt en in th e Book

of
'

L ife K
. n o w f o r cer ta in m y so n t hat th e more
, y o u
,

t h ink of G o d th e more ,
He w il l t h ink o f y ou Man y .

t rive t o atta in puri ty of h e a r t b y a way a s l o n g as i t

s

is p a inful in wa t,
c h ing s fa s t ing s s c o urgi,
n g s l yi n g o n
, ,

b a re gr und enduri g ld a nd h e a t m o r tify ing

th e o n c o
, ,

t h eir b o d y in o th er ways be c au e h ey kno w tha

s t ,
t i n
 3 92 BLESSED B ATTISTA VA RAN I .

t e ri or puri ty will elev at e th e m t o th e summi t of per

f e c ti o n Bu t y o ur mo th er is sure that b y th inking
.

fre quen tl y o n G o d w e arrive at th e s ame end w i th ou t

an y dif c ul ty and muc h more qui ckly 3 a nd if th is
,

be so h o w c an yo u d o bet t er tha n imi tat e h er !

,

W o uld a tra veller be w ise wh o being able t o go t o , ,

R o me w i th e as e in o n e d ay c h o s e a m o re d iffic ult
,

r o a d fo ur t ime s a s l o ng ! C h o o s e t h en m y s o n t h is , ,

sh ort e a sy s afe and se c re t way whi c h w ill le a d y ou

, , , ,

t o P a r a dise E m bra c e C h ris t and yo u w ill m a ke

.
,

y o ur fo r tune wit h o u t an y o n e kn o wi n g h o w yo u tra de .

Wh en a m a n is c o n st an tl y o c cu pied w i th God G o d ,

d w ell s in him 3 and i s n o t h e ric h wh o p o ss esses God b y

grac e ! T ake c are that G o d be t h e o bj e c t o f al l y our
t h o ught s a nd th e ai m o f all y our in t en t ions w i th o u t
, ,

atta ch ing y o urself t o c re at ures T h u s fo r ex ample .

, ,

wh en yo u exerc i s e c hari ty t o ward s y o ur neighb o ur ,

al th oug h yo u w o uld d o w ell t o c o n sider h im a s y o ur

n eigh b o ur o w o uld d o mu c h be t t er t o c onsider h i m
y u ,

o n l y as a me m ber o f Je u s C h ri st fo r t h e more noble

s ,

o n e in t en t i o n i s t ha n t h e o th er t h e more meri t o riou s

,

is it .

Do sleep in sl o th and negligen c e fo r th e king

n ot ,

d o m o f h e a ven s u ffere t h vi o len c e and t h e violen t be a r ,

i t away Th e H o ly Gh o s t h as imprin ted thi s w ord of

.

t h e g o spel s o deepl y i n t h e h e ar t o f y o ur m o t h er t ha t , ,

sleeping o r waki n g s h e c all s i t t o mind,

! o u mu st .

gu ard c on t inu ally aga ins t t his fa ta l sleep t o wh i c h

t o o m a n y religi o us per so ns ab a nd o n t h emselves wh o , ,

fo rge tful of th eir r st ferv o ur perform all th eir ,

w o rks wi th o u t att en tion ! o u kn o w th e habi t o f

.

g o at s wh en o n e le aps o v e r a fen c e all t h e re st fo ll o w

.

T h us th ese relig io us ob s erve t h eir rule s and ceremo nies .

Th ey s e e what o th ers d o and fol lo w t h em bu t wi t h

, ,
3 94 BLESSED BATTISTA VA RANI .

h e a rt T ake c are that y o ur h e art be c ons tan tly in

.

amed wi th c hari ty fo r w hile o il i s b o iling ies w ill

, ,

no t appr o a c h i t b u t wh en i t begin s t o c o o l th en th e y
, ,

c o me sink in t o i t a nd spoil it I n th e s ame way wh en

, ,
.
,

a s o ul is burning w i th divine love sh e ha s n o thi ng t o ,

fe ar fro m th e dem o ns nor fr o m evil th oughts 3 bu t if

Sh e be c o mes luke wa rm t h en th e ies of v a ni t y a nd u se
,
.

less th ought s appr o a c h h er and fall upon h er a nd th u s ,

t h e fatal Sleep of negligen c e is born in that negligen t

soul Hence i t come s t o p a s s that s o m an y s o ul s sleep
.
.

in h ol y reli gion a nd dre a m t hat th e y are a dv a ncing

,

in perfe c t ion 3 bu t at t h e h o ur o f de ath t h e y see th e ,

fall a cy of all th e s e dre ams fo r t h e y nd th eir hands ,

full of th e illusions of th e spiri t of de c ei t and lies .

O pen th en y o ur e y es m y de ar s o n w h ile i t i s t ime

, , ,

a nd l o se none o f th e fe w d ays y e t rem aining t o yo u .

Be wat ch ful a nd ferven t a c c o rding t o th e gr a c e given

,

t o y ou that y ou m ay be able t o say w i th t h e ap o s tle

, ,

His gr ac e in me hath n o t been void fo r t o T h ee d o ,

I wat c h at bre ak of d ay I f y ou foll o w th i s me th od
.
,

be s ure that yo u w ill a dv an c e qui c kl y in t h e way o f

perfec t ion .

C H APTER II .

HER CHARITY TOW ARDS HER NEIGHBOUR MANIFESTEI) ,

IN THE W A RNINGS S H E GIVES HER DISCI PLE .

I DESIRE m y de ar s o n in Je su s C hris t t hat y ou be

, ,

at th e s ame t im e liber al and av ari c ious ; very liberal

t o ward s yo ur neighbour an d very a vari e ro ns t o ward s
,

y o urs elf wh i c h is pre c isel y t h e o pposi t e of what is done

,

b y th e w orld I n t ru th w orldlin gs are very prodig al

.
,

t o wa rd s th emselves ver y at t en t ive t o provide fo r all

,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 95

t h eir o wn wa n t s 3 bu t th ey ac t very differe n tly in re

g ard t o th eir neighbour T h e y will see th eir bro th e r
.

in wan t of a h undred thi ngs before th ey will m ake u p

th eir minds t o give hi m o n e 0 ex c es sive blindne ss ! .

O deplor able c al amity ! T h e L o rd give s generou sl y ;

He i s liber al w i th ou t me a su re a nd from H i m are all ,

th ings fo r t h e Ps al m is t s ays Th e e ar th i s th e L o rd s
,

,

a nd t h e fulness th ereof wh ile m an has no th i ng h e c an

,

c all h is o wn
3 h e mu s t le a ve th e w o rld n aked a s wh en
h e en t ered i t He i s bu t th e s t e ward a nd th e dispen ser
.

o f Go d s ric h es a nd y e t h e i s p a r simonio u s a v arici o u s

, , ,

wi th ou t merc y c ruel t o h i s bro th er and hi s neighb o ur

, .

O Mos t High Trini ty 0 M o s t Hol y Trinity !I re turn

Th ee inni t e thank s O po w er o f my p o w erlessnes s !
.

O wisd o m of m y fo lly ! O m o s t c lemen t l o ve of m y

hat efulne s s !I re t urn T h ee thanks fo r me and my po o r
n at ure a s much as m y imp o t ence can as m u c h as m y
, ,

folly is c ap able o f a s mu c h as m y hat efulness c an

,

ple a s e I t hank T h ee that b y Thy p o w er T hy wi s

.
,

d o m a nd b o undle ss c lemenc y T h ou ha s t fo und me an s

, ,

t o redu c e h um an pride t o what i t rs t o n o thing ; fo r

in re ali ty w e are no th ing a nd re turn t o no th ing ,

.

What s w ee t j o y m y h e ar t feel s wh en I c o nsider o n ,

th e one ha nd T hy p o w er and wisd o m and o n t h e o th e r ,

h um a n mi s ery : wh en I s e e that Th o u al o ne art and

w il t be e t ern ally what Th o u hast ever been while ,

s inn e rs w h o in t h eir pride w o uld be m a s t ers of t h e

, , ,

e ar th a nd all i t s ri ch e s a nd wh o refuse t o exer cise

,

mercy t o ward s th eir neigh b o urs will s o o n re t urn in to ,

du s t and n o th ingnes s Moun t ed o n t h e unbridled

.

de sire o f al ways p o s sessing m o re I see th em falling ,

under th e p o werful H and o f G o d ; and n o t falling t o

th e gro und only bu t in t o t h e very d ep th s of h ell b e
, ,

c ause o f th eir a c c ursed a varice .

3 96 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

Al a s that t h i s d e t e s table vi c e sh ould insi nu ate

i t s elf in t o h o l y religi o n It i s n o t un c o mm o n t o se e re
.

l igio u s per s o n s w h o ha ve given up gre at ri c h es for th e

,

l o ve o f G o d so t e m p t ed b y t h e d e m o n t h at t h ey gru d ge
, ,

g iving a m o r s el o f bre a d o r a le tt u c e t o t h e h ungr y ,

o r a li t t le w ine t o th e t h ir s ty H o w shameful t ha t
.

t h e s erv a n t s o f G o d s h o uld be s till subj e c t t o su c h

a de t e s t able vi c e ! Wh at di sple a sure fo r Him and ,

what a n afi c t i o n fo r H i s He ar t ! H o w c an su c h a
liber al M a st er h e ar s u c h av ari c i o us S erva nt s ! I wi sh ,

t h en re verend fa t h er a nd de a r so n in Je sus C h ri s t
, ,

t hat y o u s h o uld ac t di fferen tl y fr o m w o rldly per s o n s .

I w i sh t ha t if yo u wa n t fo ur t h ing s o n e al o ne s h o uld ,

c o n t en t y o u ab a nd o n i n g t h e c are o f y o ur bod y t o th e
,

Pr o vide n c e o f G o d W h o pr o vided y ou tru st im pli c itly

, ,

in H im w ill in spire s o m e o n e t o pro vide fo r all yo ur

,

ne c e ssit ie s so t hat yo u w ill wa n t n o th ing S u c h h as

,
.

a l ways been t h e fa i t h of y o ur m o t h er and G o d h a s ,

in spired s o m an y t o pr o vide f o r h er ne c e ssi t ie s b o t h ,

t e m p o r a l a nd Spiri tu al t ha t sh e h as ha d n o th i n g m o re
,

t o de sire A l s o I d o n o t believe sh e ever a sked from

.
,

h e r superi o r s an y t h i ng fo r h er s elf 3 o n t h e c on tr ary sh e ,

refu s ed su c h t hing s wh en o ffered s ayi n g M o t h er I , , ,

d o n o t re q uire t h i s w ill yo u give i t t o o n e o f m y si s t er s

,

wh o need s i t m o re t ha n I d o !
Bu t i t i s n o t e n o ug h that yo u be av ari c i o u s t o ward s
y o urs elf yo u mu st al so be ver y liber al t o ward s o th ers
, ,

e ven gi ving fo ur t i m es a s mu c h as t h e y ask God .

w a s ple a sed t o dr aw y o ur m o th er t o t h e c o n t empl at i o n

o f His gener o si t y a nd l o ve He m a de h er se e t h e
.

h e avens a d o rned w ith t h e su n and m o o n an d s tars t h e ,

e arth c o vered w i th pl an t s ow er s a nd fruits enri c h ed

, , ,

w i th th e fragrance o f a t h o u sand perfume s and abun ,

d a u tly furnis h ed w i t h medi c in al h erbs What mul ti .

 3 98 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

Th is doc trine yo ur m o th er le arn t in th e sc h o o l o f divin e

wisd o m I f i t seem s t o yo u o bs c ure a sk a nd yo u wi ll
.
,

nd that God i s w o rthy o f l o ve in all t h ings a nd that ,

all things o u t of H im are hat eful No ne is goo d b u t .

G o d al o ne He i s c o m p a s si o n at e a nd m er c iful a nd H i s
, ,

mercy is wi th ou t end Glory a nd pr ai s e be t o H i m.

f o r ever A men
. .

I d o no t spe ak h ere o f th e t ender c hari ty o f th e

s am e s erv an t of G o d wh i c h rendered h er s o c om p as
,

s i o n ate t o th e w e a kness a nd imperfe c t ions o f h er neigh

b o ur be c au s e i t is no t al way s expedien t t o o pen th e

,

e y e s o f th e blind I only decl are t o yo u that yo ur

.

m o th er even wh ile i n th e w orld wa s ins truc t ed b y

, ,

G o d on th i s subj e c t 3 b u t a s sh e wa s t h en ignor a n t of

a l l spiri t u al th ings sh e nei th er under st o o d th e imp o r t

,

a n c e o f th is t e a c h ing n o r i t s deep me aning

,
Wh e n .
,

h o w ever sh e en t ered int o religi o n t h e H o l y Spiri t

, ,

g ave h er o n th is subj e c t su c h a bund an t lig ht t hat ,

d u rrn g e rgh t e e n y e ars nei th er as s ubjec t nor superior

, ,

did sh e ever spe ak ill of an y c re at ure .

I f God permi t s for t h e in c re a se o f y our cro w n o f

l o r y t hat a n y o n e sh o uld s pe ak evil o f yo u le ave t o
g ,

n o o n e th e c are o f puni sh ing t h e m b u t take venge a n c e

,

y o urs elf b y praising all y o ur bre th ren t o t h e Vi sit o rs ,

w i th ou t a c c using tho se o f wh om yo u have t o c o m pl ain ,

that yo u m ay n o t o pen in y o ur h e ar t a way t o hatred

or indign at i o n 3 for t h e s e t w o vic e s w o uld render yo ur
s ervice a nd y o ur h o m age abomin able in th e e y e s o f th e

L o rd No w in o rder t o a c t ac c ording t o thi s a dvi c e

.
,

t wo t h ings a re ne c e ss a r y th e kn o wle d ge o f y o urs elf

,

a nd th e habi t of thinking o f God B y t h ese me an s .

,

o u be c ome blind t o th e fa ul t s o f o th er s a nd c an s ay
y ,

w it h t ru th that yo ur bre th ren s eem t o yo u l ike angels

i nc arn at e Your mo th er ha d th is gr a ce fo r wh en th e
.
,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 3 99

V isit ors c ame t o t h e m o nas tery sh e ha d n o th ing t o ,

repor t and th e very novi c e s c o uld say m o re tha n s h e

,

co uld o n th e faul t s o f t h e o th er sist ers I f s o m et ime s .

o th er s sp o ke o f th e m befo re h er sh e s aid t o h erself

~

that if th ey ha d been re al sh e mu st ne c es sarily have

o b s erved th em .

G o d dis c overed t o h er a no th er device o f S atan

w h i c h de c eives m an y even very pe rfe c t pers on s
, ,

w h erefo re I w ill t ell i t yo u be c au s e I l o ve y ou fro m

,

m y h e ar t Kno w th en m y s o n t hat th e b ac kbitings

.
, ,

a n d crit i c i sms wh i c h yo u h e ar in religi o us h o use s are

in spired b y th e demon wh o fa il s n o t t o veil th e m

,

u nder a n appe a r an c e o f g o o d s o that h i s sub tle sn a re i s

,

u nde t ec t ed It is lik e a lee c h wh i c h attach e s i ts elf t o

.

religi o u s and su ck s o u t all th eir t o il and l ab o ur I t is

,
.

t h e lepr o sy o f M a ry th e si s ter o f M o se s wh o m h er
, ,

gift o f pr o p h e c y c o uld n o t save fr o m puni sh ment Sh e .

w as s t ru c k w i th a p ainful and pe st ilen t i al lepro sy 3 and

i f M o se s ag ains t wh o m sh e ha d m urm ured ha d n o t
, ,

in t er c eded fo r h er th i s t errible m al ady wo uld have

,

c o ndu c t ed h er in a fe w d ays t o t h e t o m b O n o ble .

example given u s b y t h e H o l y Spirit in th e O ld Te s

,

t am en t at th e sight o f wh i c h t h o s e spiri tu al pers o n s

,

wh o de tr a c t o th er s o u ght t o t re m ble
B u t th is do c trine i s li t tle th o ugh t o f a nd still le ss ,

u nder s t o o d ; s o that I w o uld d a re t o sa y tha t a n y

religio u s wh o i s entirel y free fro m thi s lepr o sy p o s se sse s
a sure Sign o f prede st in ati o n Thi s i s why y o ur
.

mo th er ha d so mu c h pi ty fo r de tr ac t o rs and envied ,

th o s e wh o w ere th e obje c ts o f t h eir b ac kbi t ings 3 b e

c a u e
s to th o se w h o l o ve G o d a ll t h ings w,ork t oge th er
f o r g o od .

It i s th e pro per ty o f lepro sy n o t o nly t o c on sume

,

th e esh of t h e wre tch ed su fferer b u t t o del e o th e rs ,

 400 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .

b y i t s t o u c h B e c a us e o f this t h e L o rd comm ande d

.
,

M ary t o be pu t o u t o f t h e c amp ; b u t h e w h o bac k w

bit e s d o e s no t sin more in spe aki n g tha n o th ers d o i n

l ist ening T h e s e l a st are even m o re guil ty ; fo r if
.

t h ere w ere no o n e t o li st en n o o n e w ould b a c kbit e , .

O ne dem o n sit s o n t h e t o n gue o f h i m wh o spe ak s and ,

an o th er in th e e a r o f h im wh o l is t en s ; an d th ese
demon s rej o i c e a nd m o ck b o th h im wh o spe ak s and
,

h im wh o lis t en s Be w i s e m y so n and c arefull y av o id

.
, ,

bo th t h ese faul t s ; if yo u s h o w t o h i m w h o detr ac ts

a n o th er that yo u are vexed yo u will d o t wo good ,

th ings at o nce ; y ou w ill pu t t o igh t th e devil o n th e

t o ngue a nd th e devil at th e e ar I w ill c on c lude th is .

long digres si o n in t o wh i ch perhaps yo ur pray ers ha ve

, , ,

led me b y s aying that I desire y ou sh o uld de tra c t

,

n o one under a n y pre t ex t or re a son wha t so ever ei th er ,

f o r good or evil Never forge t th is an d be ware o f

.
,

t ran sgressing for I do no t spe ak wi th o u t c ause Re

,
.

member what S J ames ha s s aid in h is c anoni c al

.

epis t le I f a n y m a n think h imself t o be religious n o t

, ,

bridling h is t o ngue th i s m an s religi o n is v ain
,
.

Every t ime t hat t h e V i sit o r en t ers a m o n as t ery th e ,

dem o n fail s n o t t o spre a d h i s sub tle sn a re s He i s .

n o t ign o r a n t t hat th e be s t w o rk s if t h e y wan t t h e ,

fo und ation o f c hari ty a re unfrui tful an d ha t eful t o

,

G od . T h erefore h e e m pl o y s all hi s indu st ry t o m ak e

us say t o th e Fath er Vi sit or a nu m ber of u seles s th in g s ,

wh i ch full y c o nsidered are onl y r a sh su spi c i o n s a nd

, ,

ill fo unded judgmen t s

-
Hen c e i t fo ll o w s t hat t h e
.

b o nd o f pe ac e i s br o ken c hari t y gr o ws c o ld and is ,

extingui sh ed t he dem o n s t riump h a nd w i th re a so n

, , .

T h e y c are n o t fo r o u r o bedien c e p o ver ty c ha s ti ty , , ,

mode sty our pen an c e s a nd all o u r g o o d w o rk s fo r all

, , ,

th e se are n o th in g wi th ou t c hari ty wh i c h al o ne ren ,

402 BLESSED BATTISTA VARAN I .
,

men t L ord ! if T h ou did st reve al t o me th e mos t

h idden se c re t s of T hy Divine He ar t 3 if T h ou dids t
m anifes t t o me d ail y t h e an ge l ic h ierarc hie s 3 if
T h ou did st gr an t me th e p o w er of r ai sing th e de a d
at will th i s w o uld n o t be enough t o c o nvince me
,

that T ho u loves t me w i th an indefe c t ible l o ve B u t .

that I m ay have th i s a ssur ance T h o u mus t gr an t me ,

th e gra ce o f a sincere h e ar t that I m ay l o ve th ose ,

wh o hat e me that I m ay Spe ak w el l o f tho s e wh o

,

spe ak ill of me a nd t hat I m ay praise w i th ou t re

, ,

q uiring t o d o vi o lence t o my self th o s e wh o pers ecu t e ,

an d u nju stl y c alu m ni at e me Th en 0 e t ern al a nd.

,

mos t mer c iful Fat h er I S hall possess a n infallible Sign

,

o f Th y l o ve fo r me 3 th en I shall n o l o nger doub t I

am indeed T hy d aught er T h en I can c o mfo r t myself

.

b y th e ex ample o f T hy bel o ved S on Jesus th e onl y ,

good o f m y s o ul W h o in dying o n th e cro ss ob tained

,

gr a ce fo r His murderers .

T hanks t o th e goodne s s o f God this soul re aped ,

th e frui t o f h er pr ayer 3 fo r wh en an y o n e did h er an

injury o r sp o ke ag ai n s t h er sh e fel t in h er h e ar t no
,

s en t imen t o f aver si o n fr o m th em as o th ers do 3 a nd

y e t s h e ha d o ften t o su ffer mu ch in this way I do .

n o t t ell yo u h o w 3 b u t i t is kn o w n t o G o d a nd h er

perse c u t ors I t is onl y th eir sins whi c h afic t h er 3 and

.

S h e pr ay s t o God wi t h h er wh ole h e ar t that He m ay

p ardon t h em To say or do a nyt h ing that m ay gr at ify

.

th em is one o f h er gre at es t ple a sures S h e o ft en s ay s .

a P at er a nd A v e for th em I w i sh y ou t o do th e s ame
.
,

m y son that yo u m ay t re a d in t h e st eps of y our

,

mo th er wh o loves yo u so much that s h e writ es th es e

,

th ing s fo r y our e d i cati o n .

I have condence in God and y our prudence that

you w ill pro t b y th e counsels I give y ou Never .
 BLESSED BATTIST A VARANI .
403
d ivide int t wo y e ars that whi c h c an be done in one
o
.

Walk run y in th e p ath o f God Th e jus t wal k

, , .

,
th e wi s e run th e loving y t o wards th e enj o ymen t o f
,

th e divine Maje sty ! o u will be wrong t o walk if .

y o u c an run a nd t o run if yo u c an y bec au s e t im

,
3 e
is S h ort ! o u o ught al ways t o a dvan c e in th e p aths
.

of
h oliness a nd never t o fall b ack I f w e d o n o t a dd
, .

w ood t o th e re i t will so o n go o u t Th e same th in g

, .

happens t o th e soul if i t d o e s n o t gro w in virt ue I t .

begins b y I believe in G o d and will end by Th e ,

resurre c t io n o f th e body that is th e c are s o f this

, ,

eve r,
yo u wi sh t o m ake gre at progres s fe ar G o d and , ,

love y our enemies It i s thi s whi c h I try t o ins til in t o

.

you in this le t t er Ho w fe w t h ere are wh o arden tly

.

desire to attain thi s evangeli c al perfe c tion whi c h o u r

divine S avi o ur pre a ch ed so t o u ch ingl y by H is ex ample ,

a s w ell a s by His w ord s 3 fe w wh o arrive at that t rue

perfe c ti o n wh ic h c o n sis t s in loving th eir e n e m l e s
, .

I nis h h ere my reverend fath er and bel o ved s on

,
,

th e s e s alu tary warning s wh ich I tru st yo u wil l m ake, , ,

u s e of wi th th e s a me c ha ri ty wh i c h h as di c tat ed th em .

I have wi sh ed t o c o n so le yo u by m aking kn o wn t o
y o u th e spiri t u a l life of y o ur m o th er ; n o r h as th is
been dif c ul t t o me be c au s e I am c onvin c ed tha t t h e
,

ex am ple s and less o ns i t c on tain s will c o ntribu t e t o yo ur

a dv an tage a nd co n s o l at i o n You w ill nd no Spe c i al .

a dvi c e on yo ur prin c ip al obl ig ation s su c h as p o ver ty ,

'

o bedience a nd c ha s ti ty a nd that for t wo re a s o n s

, ,

l st Be c ause if yo u fo ll o w th e c ounsel s c o n ta ined in

.

what I have wri tt en i t is i m po ssible you c an be o th er

,

w ise tha n obedien t p o o r and c has t e 2n d Be c ause

, ,
. .

I kno w y ou are alre ady so w ell disposed t o wards th es e

26
2
404 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

virtues that all exh o r tat i o ns o n th e s e subj e c t s s eem

,

t o me unne c ess ary I will a dd o nly th ese fe w w ords

.

t o conrm yo ur g o o d will You c anno t o ffer t o God

-
.

a more agree able s a cri c e tha n t o s ubmi t y our will t o

h oly o bedience 3 for i t is He Wh o ha s s a id I desire ,

obedien c e m o re than s ac ri c e AS t o pover ty I w ould
.
,

that yo u posse ss ed n o th ing b ut Jesus crucied in wh o m ,

y ou will nd all t rue ri ch e s Oh !h o w p o o r i s h e wh o

.

seek s augh t else bu t G o d ! Ho w ric h is h e wh o h as

nought bu t God ! A s t o c hasti ty i t is be c ause God ,

ha s o rn ament ed y our bod y wi th th is precious pe arl ,

a nd embellis h ed i t w i th this an gelic splend o u r that I ,

have c onded t o yo u y our hand m aid s secre t s that

th e y m ay be l aid up a nd pre s erved in yo u A S t o .

pray er I will a dd bu t this o n e w o r d Wh en yo u c an

,
.

no t re ap take wi t h violen c e 3 that is pr ay at le as t wi th

, ,

y our lips wh en y ou c anno t w ith y our h e ar t

,
.

C HAP TER III .

HER VIRTUE I S TRIED BY THE GOOD AND EVIL FORTUNE

OF HER FA M ILY SHE ESTABLISHES A MONASTERY
.

AT FERMO AND RETURNS TO CAMERINO W HERE S H E

, ,

I S RAISED T O THE DIGNITY OF ABBESS .

T HREE y e ar s ha d s c ar c el y el ap s ed since sh e a ddressed

th e fo regoing ins t ruct i o n t o h er di sc iple wh en dre a d ,

ful mi sfor t unes befell h er family wh i c h furnis h ed h er ,

wi th occ asi o n s of exer ci sin g h eroic c harity t o wards h er

enemi es Her fath er Julius C ae s ar Vara ni aft er having
.
, ,

governed C amerino durin g fty y e ars wa s deprived of ,

hi s po w er an d in th e y e a r 1 5 02 died a t r agic al de ath

, ,
406 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

sh e alls h im s o n at th e end of th e le tt er w e m ay
c
,

presume that i t wa s h e t o wh om th e foregoin g in stru c

t ions w ere a ddressed .

C H APTER IV .

FRIENDSHI P OF BATTISTA W ITH JOHN OF FAN G .

BEGINNING OF THE CONGREGATION OF CAP UCHINS .

DEATH OF BATTISTA AND VEN ERATION OF HER

BODY .

A MONG o th er le tt ers wh ic h B att is ta wro t e t o th is h ol y

m a n is one in Latin wh i c h w e w ill give en tire a s i t is
, ,

n o t w i th ou t in t eres t in h er o w n h is t ory .

JE SU S Up 0 n th e rivers of B abylon th ere w e sat

.

,

a nd w ep t : wh en w e remembered S ion T h ese w ord s .

,

dic tat ed t o th e Ps almis t b y th e Hol y S piri t for th e

con so l at ion of th e afict ed sui t w ell i t seem s t o me
, , ,

t h e s tat e o f persecu t ion a nd tribul at ion in wh i c h y our

'

reveren c e nd s y ou r s elf T h e elec t se at th emselves

.

a nd repose upon th e rivers of B ab yl o n wh ile th e im ,

pious an d sinful sink and disappe ar under th eir waves .

You th erefore wh o are of t h e number of t h e ele c t

, , ,

a re se at ed on th e b an ks of th e rivers of B ab ylon ,

that is b y th e wat ers o f ai i ctio n in th e h ope

, ,

of th e resurre c tion of y our virt ue and innocence .

You have res t ed i n God y our S aviour W h o is th e ,

defender of th e inno c ence o f His elec t You s e e y our .

defamers c arried away b y th e wave s of th eir l o qu a c i ty ,

lo sing th emselves in th e dep th s of S hame a nd c o nfusion .

You kno w m y beloved fat h er that th e d arkness of

, ,

n ight precedes th e d aw n a nd th e ric h e s t c oun t rie s a re

,

h idden beh ind moun tains T h e h e avenl y Phy sici an

.
,
 BLESSED BATTISTA VARA NI . 407

W h o h as come t o die o n th e cross fo r th e s alvation of

th e h um an ra ce aft er havin g permitt ed th e wave s
,

of perse c u t ion and t ribul ation t o cover H is elec t ,

gives th em j oy and c on so l at io n 3 and th ey le arn th e

smile o f angels in th e s ch o o l o f th e c ru c ied Humani ty
of C hris t Al th ough th e si c k m an knits h is brow s
.

at th e tast e of a bitt er me d i c ine h e s oon rej o i c e s over ,

i

h is re turning h e al th Th is l o ving and c omp as sion at e

.

M a s t er sh eds bi tt erne ss o ver all that s urro unds u s in ,

order that He al o ne m ay s eem swee t and wo rthy of

love O mos t s wee t Jesus ! 0 un spe ak able l o ve !h o w
.

s wee t and delightful are Thy w o rks t o th e s o ul whi c h

seeks T h ee t o th e s o ul wh ic h loves Th ee wi th ou t
,

fraud or dissimul ation t o th e soul wh ic h affe c ti o n at el y

,

reposes in th e He ar t of T hy c ru c ied Humani ty ,

wh ere th e fulness of Thy Godh e a d c orpor all y dwells

!C ol
. ii
.

Rej oice and be gl ad 0 d aught er of S ion 0 soul , , .

loving and beloved of God ! T hy detrac t ors unkno wn ,

t o th emselve s have pl ac ed a c r o w n o f precious s t ones

,

on thy h e ad T h ey th ought t o desp o il th ee of thy

.

h onour and on th e c on tr ary th ey have wo ven for

, , ,

th ee in th is life a robe of immor tality 3 fo r go ld t ried ,

in th e re c ome s o u t purer than befo re ! o u m y

,
.
,

reverend fath er before this tri al w ere a pre c i o us b u t

, , ,

a clo s ed lil y bu t no w you are a full bl o wn l ily wh o s e

,
-
,

delicious perfume emb alm s all th e h ou ses o f t h e pro

vince you have go verned fo r three y e ars wi th so muc h
wisdom and pruden c e Wh ile yo u were s e at ed upo n .

th e rivers of B ab ylon w e your d au gh ters w ep t at t h e

, , ,

remembran c e of yo ur sw ee tne ss and go o dness No w .

w e exu l t and render e t ern al thanks t o Almighty God

,
,

wh o ha s s aved Jo h n th e so n o f H is hand m ai d He
,
.

h as s h o wn me a t oken for good that th ose wh o hate

,
 408 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

me m ay se e and be c onfo unded bec ause T h ou O L ord , , ,

has t h elped h im a nd c o mfo rt ed me I have w ri tt en

,
.

th ese fo o lis h w ords in feminine fa sh i o n t o eng age y our ,

fath erl y pr ay ers t o wh i c h I h umbl y and devou tl y re

,

commend m ys elf begging yo ur blessing fo r h er wh o

,

wil l al way s be y o ur s erv a n t a nd y our d aught er Fare .

w ell in Him wh o is th e s alv at ion of all th ose wh o

h o pe in Him .

From th e Mon a s t ery of S M ari a Nuova of .

,

C amerin o th is 20th of A pril

, ,

I t wa s t his s ame J o h n o f Fame wh o wh en elec t ed ,

a ne w vic ar provi nc i al of La M ar c a in 1 5 25 t re at ed so ,

harsh ly Bro th er M at th e w o f B a ssi o th e rs t C apuc hin , ,

wh o a ft er having been Chamberl ain t o Julius C ae sar th e

, ,

fath er of B attis ta en t ered th e o rder o f Fri ar s Minor o f

,

th e O bserv an c e wh ere h e bec am e a n abl e a nd z e al o us

,

pre ac h er T h i s fri ar s o u gh t t o int rodu c e a c hange

.

in th e shape o f th e c o wl o f h is o rder a nd w en t t o ,

Rome fo r th i s purp o se O n h i s re turn th e pro vinci a l

.

rebuked h im in th e provin ci a l c hap t er at M at eli c a ,

t re at ed h im as an ap o stat e a nd th re w him int o p ri son

,
.

T h e Du c h e ss o f C amerin o wh o ha d a gre at devo tion ,

t o Bro th er M at th e w having h e ard o f this was very

, ,

a ngry S h e rs t w r o t e a thre at ening le tt er t o th e

.

provinci al 3 sh e nex t summ o ned h im t o th e p al ac e

w i th th e fath er gu ardian a nd sp o ke wi th su c h force
,

that h e wa s o bliged t o rele as e Br o th er M atth e w wh o ,

I mmedi at el y on le a ving pris o n s e t ou t fo r Rome , ,

wh ere h e o b tained le ave from Pope C lemen t VII t o .

live a s a h ermit in th e habi t h e ha d a dop t ed .

I n th e fo ll o wing y e ar Bro th qrs L ouis and R ap ha el ,

led b y th e s ame spirit a s M atth e w t o o k th e same ,

h abi t w i th ou t h o w ever a ss o c i ating th emselves wi th

, , ,
'

him a nd ob ta ined from t h e Po p e a Si m il a r appro ba

,
41 0 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI .

C orpus C h ris t i th e 3 l st of M ay 1 5 27 wh en s h e h ad
, , ,

e n t ered upon th e six ty nin th y e a r of h er age

-
T h er e .

c an be n o doub t h er de ath was h ol y a s h er l ife bu t ,

no p ar ticul ars o f i t have been preserved .

T h e nuns buried h er in th eir c h o ir in o rder t o have ,

a memori al ever presen t o f th eir foundre s s and a ,

pledge of t h e pro t e c t i o n th e y h oped from h er in

h e aven Thir ty y e ars l at er th e nuns w o uld no t all o w
.

th e pre c ious bod y t o c o n t in ue h idden in th e e arth ,

a nd disin t erred i t w ith th e gre at es t respe c t Gre at .

wa s th eir j o y wh en th e y s aw i t in a s tat e of perfe c t

preservat ion th e e yes bright as in life and t h e
, ,

c oun t en a nce li t up r ath er tha n p ale a s if sh e w ere ,

s alu ting th em T h e y w is h ed t o preserve th e h o l y bod y

.

in a bett er pl a c e wh ere i t w o uld be m o re h onour e d

, ,

bu t th eir confess o r was oppo s ed t o th is a nd insist ed ,

that i t sh ould be buried ag ain 3 h e even wi th gre at ,

indis c re t io n c aused th e s a cred bo d y t o be pl ac ed b e

,

tw een tw o bo ard s and wh en a qu an ti ty of e ar th ha d

, ,

been sh ovelled in and wat er pou red over i t h e m a de

, ,

hi s c omp ani o n t re a d i t d o wn .

T h e s tri c t obedience wh i c h th ese h ol y w omen o h

served h indered th e m fr o m o pp o sing th e s trange z e al

of th is religiou s and still m o re fr o m w ith drawing th e

,

h ol y body from th e gr ave in wh ic h h e ha d pl a ced i t .

It res t ed th ere u n t il t h e y e ar 1 5 9 3 wh en th e neces si ty ,

of m aki n g a ne w v aul t o bliged th e nu n s t o reopen th e

gr ave T h e elder nun s wh o kne w th e pl a ce exa c tl y
.
, ,

t o ld th e w o rkmen t o dig with all p o ssible prec au tion ,

wh i c h th e y did Wh en th e y re a c h ed a certain dep th

.

th e y fo und a b o ard o n rem o vin g wh i ch a deli ciou s

,

od o ur m a de i t evi d ent at o n c e t hat i t wa s th e o n e

wh i c h c overed th e h o l y b o d y Immedi atel y a ll th e .

nuns c ame runnin g t o ge th er a nd s h ed abun d an ce o f ,

 BLESSED BATTISTA VARANI . 41 1

t e ars no t doub t in g that th is h e avenl y odour wa s a

,

Sign of th e glory enjoy ed by th e S ain t in h e aven .

A no th er circums tan ce o c curred t o in cre ase th eir

won d er Her es h was redu c ed t o dus t !ac c ording t o
.

th e w is h sh e ha d expre ssed t o G o d) bu t h er t ongue

,

rem ained fresh moi st and red T h e c onfessor of th e

, , .

conven t Br o th er Eva n gelis t of Fabriano wh o wa s pre

, ,

sen t wa s moved t o t e ars at th e sight o f th i s mir acle

, ,

and t es tied his a dmir ation in th e w ord s o f S B o n a.

ven t ure at th e sight o f th e incorrup t t o n gu e o f S .

A n t on y of P a du a : O pre c ious t o ngue wh i ch has t

,

al way s blessed th e L o rd and taught o th ers t o ble s s

,

Him i t is n o w m anifes t h o w gre at th y servi c e of God

,

ha s been ! Wh en th e nuns ha d satised th e ir t en

der devo t ion th ey pl aced th e h o ly bod y in a m arble

,

t omb whic h th ey ha d previo usl y c aused t o be c o n

,

st ru c t ed in th e c h oir 3 bu t th e t ongue was enclosed in

a precious reli qu ary ap ar t .
 I NDE X .

A b st in e n c e o f t h e S ain t , 1 1 6
A g o n y S u ff e re d by t h e S ai n t , 1 47
A l bi z z in i , M ary G e r t ru d e , abb e s s , 46
A l e x an dr a, a s e rva n t o f t h e Gi u l i an i , 6
A lva, P e t e r o f , 1 40
A m b ro n i, t h e C an on , c o n f e s so r o f t h e S ai n t , 1 0
A m b ro s e , S ai n t , s ay in g o f , 301
A n g e l u c c i, L u c A n t o n i o , 1 76

A n to n y, S i st e r, c h ari t y o f t h e S ain t t o , 21 2
A po s t l e s, t h e , o u r L o rd s s o rro w f o r, 3 73

A vari c e , 39 5
A zz i, d e gl i, S i st e r M ary An g e l i c a , 1 1 1
B ac k b it in , 399
g
B as ti an e l h , F at h e r G i r o l am o , 2 1 6
B a t t i s t e ll i , F at h e r, c o n f e ss o r o f t h e S ain t, 234
B l o o d, t e ars o f, S h e d by t h e S ai n t , 2 1 6 , 2 1 7, 2 39
B o rd iga, G i an F ran c e sc o , 1 7 6, s u m m o n e d a t t h e l as t i ll ne ss o f
t h e S a in t , 1 8 1
B o rg h e s e , Do n G i o v an -A n t o n i o , b ap t iz e d t h e S ain t , 4
B o s c ain i , Do n D o m e ni c o , Pr i o r o f S S i s t o , 2 1 6
.

B o s c a i n i, S i st e r M ary M ag d al e n , 74, 1 1 1 , 1 20, 1 5 8, 1 75 , 1 84,

2 7 5 3 app o in t e d s a c ri st an by t h e S ai n t , 1 79 3 t e s t i e s t o t h e
S ain t s s h e ddi n g t e ars o f bl o o d , 2 1 6

B r o zz i, S i st e r G abri e ll a, d e a t h o f, f o r e t o l d by t h e S ain t , 1 79
C app e ll e tt i, S i s t e r C at h e rin e , 2 8 1
C app e ll e t t i, F at h e r U b al d o A n t o n i o , d i re c t o r o f th e S ain t , 1 9 3
n arrat e s a v i si o n o f t h e S ai n t , 7 5 3 p ro p h e s i e s t h e e n l arg e

m e n t o f t h e S ai n t s c o n ve n t , 80 3 t e s t s t h e m i rac u l o u s s t at e

o f t h e S a in t , 1 5 8 , 1 6 8, 1 7 8 3 d i ar y o f, 1 96 1 9 9 3 o r d e rs t h e
,

n u n s t o p o u r w a t e r o n t h e h an d s o f t h e S ai n t i n e c s t a s y,

209 3 t e s t i m o n y o f t h e S ai n t s hu m i l i t y, 2 5 4

C ap u c hin s , t h e , an n al s o f, 1 1 1 3 t ro u bl e s o f, 406
C a so n i, Fat h e r, S J , 232
. .

C at he ri n e , S , o f S i e n a, 8 8, 1 00, 1 03, 1 06, 1 07, 1 40, 1 74

.

C at h e rin e , S , R i c c i , 1 74
.

C a v am az z a, F at h e r, c o nf e s s o r o f t h e S ain t , 62
C e c il i a , S , p ray e r o f , 1 34
.

C e o l i , S i s t e r F l o ri d a, 20, 1 20, 1 73, 2 64, 2 73 3 t r e ad s o n t h e

S ai n t s f o o t , 7 2 3 d o w e r o f, h o w sp e n t , 80 ; se e s o n t h e

S ain t s h e a d t h e m ark s o f t h e c ro wn o f t h orn s, 9 7 3 h ad th e

g ift o f p ro p h e c y, 1 1 2 3 h o ly d e at h o f, 207 ; s aw t h e S ain t

s h e d t e ars o f bl o o d , 2 1 7
41 4 INDE X .

F e lix , S i st e r C l are , 42
Fo o d , m i ra c u l o u sly m u lt ip li e d , 66 3 t h e S ain t m o rt i e d in h e r ,

F ran c e s ,
S i st e r h e l p s t h e S ain t in
,
th e ki t c h e n 65 ; de at h o f
, ,

i n t h e o d o u r o f s an c t i t y , 1 1 1 3 p l ac e d in au t h o ri t y o ve r t h e
S ain t , 248 3 r o u gh i n h e r way s , 2 6 1
Fran c i s, Fat h e r, o f Urb in o , p re ac hi n g o f, 304, 308 3 l e tt e r o f,
t o t h e B l e s s e d B atti s t i V aran i , 336 3 t h e B l e s se d B atti s t a
c o n ve r s e s wi t h , 3 1 1
Fran c is, S , o f A s si si , 1 40, 1 43, 1 87
.

Fran c is, S , X avi e r, 25 5 .

F u c c i, S is t e r Mar y, 282
G ae t an a, S i st e r M ary, 2 24
G asp arini , M r 2 7 7 .

G e l li n i , Do n i ac o m o , 1 7 6
G e n t i li , G i o v an Fran c i sc o , s urg e on , 1 60, 1 63, 1 76
G e rt ru de o f O o st, 1 1 0, 1 40
G e rtru d e , S i st e r, o f Pi s a, 1 1 1
G h e rar d i , M gr , 272 .

G i ac in t a, S i st e r 1 1 1 , 1 203 h e lp e d th e S ain t in h e r p e n an c e s, 233

.

G i an n in i , Do n C e sare , 1 7 6
G iu l i an i , Fr an c e sc o , f at h e r o f th e S ain t , 3 3 re m o ve s t o Pi a
c e n z a, 22 3 p u t s d i f c u l t i e s i n t h e w a
y o f t h e S ain t s vo c a

t i o n , 3 1 , 3 2 3 am e n d s h i s l if e , 3 8 3 di e s , 39
G iu l i an i , U rsu l a, c h an g e s h e r n am e t o Ve ro ni c a, 46, see V e
r o ni c a

G od, l o ve o f , 72
G o o d F ri d a y ,
2 98, 345
G o t o l o n i, S i st e r M ary Ro s e , 78, 1 1 1
Gre go ry, F at h e r 3 1 9 ,

G re g o ry S P o p e 2 5 9
, .
, ,

l
G u a t i e ri , M gr , Bi sh o p o f T o d i , 25 1
.

G u e l , F at h e r R an i e r o , 1 5 9, 1 7 5 , 2 60 3 e p o sit io n o f, c o n c e rn d
i n g t h e i n s t ru m e n t s o f t h e P a ss i o n , 1 7 6 3 s e n t f o r i n t h e
l ll
as t i n e ss o f t h e S ai n t , 1 8 1 3 w i t h t h e S ai n t o n h e r d e at h

b e d , 1 83 3 t e s t i e s t o t h e S ain t s re at kn o w e d e , 204 3 t h e

g l g
l f
a st c o n e s so r o f t h e S ain t , 2 1 0 3 p ro p h e c of t h e S ain t y
c o n c e rn i n , 2 78 g
b lg
H a i t , t h e r e i i o u s , d i n i t o f , 1 07 g y
H e art , t h e S a c r e d , 3 8 1 , 386, 3 89
H e art , t h e , o f t h e S ain t , w o un s o f, 1 32 3 m ark s o n , 1 73, 1 76,
d
273
l l
H e e n a, B e sse d , o f Hu n ar , 1 40 g y
l y
H u m i i t , s o u r c e o f , 3 8 7, 3 8 8
l
I d a, B e sse d , o f o u vai n , 1 40 L
Ig n at i u s , S , 265 .

I llu si o n s , s a e u ar s a ain st , 48fg d g

I g
n r at i t u d e , s in o f, 2 1 4

I nn o c e n c e , 3 1 5 , 3 1 6
I l b
n su t s o rn e t h e S ain t, 242 by
 I NDE X . 41 5

In t e n t io n , e ff e c t s o
f, 1 6
I n t e r c e ssi o n o f t h e S ai n t fo r t h e C h u rc h , 2 1 9
J e su s , t h e I n fan t , app e ars t o th e S ain t , 7, 1 95
Je w s, th e , i n grat it u d e o f, 37 7, 3 79
J o an n a o f t h e Cro s s, B l e sse d, 140
J o hn o f F an o , 405
Ju d as, sin o f, 3 75
La d y, o u r, pre se n ts a c hain t o th e S ain t , 88 3 appe ars t o th e
S ain t , 1 6 1 , 2 66 3 p l a c e s t h e d ivi n e I n f an t in t h e arm s o f
t h e S ain t , 8, 2 73 3 s o rro w s o f, t h e s o rro w s o f o u r Lo rd, 3 70
Le p ro sy , 399
L e t t e rs, writt e n o n th e h e art o f th e S ain t, 1 76 , 1 7 7
Lid w i n e , o f H o ll an d , 1 1 9, 1 40
Li qu i d , t h e m y st e ri o u s, 1 1 9 3 m irac l e s w ro u gh t by, 120
L o m e l l i n i , G i a c o m o , A b at e , 25 5 3 p ro p h e c y o f t h e S ai n t c o n
c e rn i n g , 2 7 8
L ove , d ivin e , th e S ain t s sp e akin g o f, 2 09

Lu c y, B l e sse d , o f N arn i , 1 40
Lu ke warm n e ss , t h e t ru e pl agu e o f so u l s , 72
M agd al e n , Mary, l o ve o f, 372 3 m irro r o f c o n t e m p l at io n , 373
M aggi, M o n s ign o r, 224
M aggi , S i st e r M ari a, 74
M agg io , S i st e r M ary Jo an n a, 1 80, 1 84, 241, 244
Mal at e s t a, Jo an n a, 290 3 d e at h o f, 405
M a m m a m i d , 22 1
M an c i n i, B e n e de tt a, m o th e r of th e S ain t , 3 3 last c o m m un io n

o f, 11
M a ga e t B l e ss e d o f C i tt a d i C ast e ll o 1 74
r r , , ,

M art yrdo m t h S i t s l o gi g fo r 205 ,

e a n

n n ,

M a y M agd al e o f Pazzi S 1 74
r n , .
,

M as sa i m e di c l t t e d a t o f t h e S ain t 98
n ,
a a n n ,

M att h e w B o t h o f B s sio 465

,
r e r, a ,

Me az z o l i S i s t e r M a y C e l e st i e 1 84
,
r n ,

M e d i t at i o 2 5 2 8 n, ,

M e rc at e ll o bi thpl ac e o f th e S ain t 3 1 7 3 t h e S ai t b o u gh t
,
r , ,
n r

b ac k t o 36 3 t h e e s ist e s o f th S ai t s
,
s i 42
r r e n

,
n un n,

M e lia e F ath e P t e r 2 92 344 347 3 e le c t e d vi c ar 333

n ,
r e , , , ,

M o ri Lo e z i S m i l i 2 5 1
,
r n r ,

M o t i at i o 1 1 3 3 o f t h e S ai t 2 3 1
r c n, n ,

M o s c ani S i st e A ge l a M a y 1 1 1
,
r n r ,

N i c h o l as S o f B a i 5,
.
,
r ,

N i c h o l as V Po p e 325 .
, ,

N o vi c e s h o w t ai e d by t h e S ai t 69
,
r n n ,

N o v i c i at e s ff i g s o f t h e S i t i n h e r 238
,
u er n a n ,

O b e d i e c e o f t h e S i t 48 2 5 9
n a n , ,

O l ivi e i D or ,
a J l i a A l b am 22 7
nn u ,

O li vi e i F a th e 3 1 1
r ,
r,

O n o rat i M o n
,
s i g o B i s h o p o f U r b am a 20 n r,
o

O san n a B l e s s e d o f M a t
,
1 40 ,
n u a,

Pac i c o Fr o f Urb in o 35 0
-
,
.
, ,
41 6 INDEX .

P assi o n dv
t h e , e o t i o n o f t h e S ai n t t o , 2 1 , 25 , 46, 64 3 e o tio n
,
dv
o f B B at t i s t a
. V
a r an i t o , 3 03, 3 05

P at i e n c e o f t h e S ain t , 240
Pe n an c e s o f t h e S ai n t , 2 32
ll d ll M g M
Pe nn a di B i i , e a , S i st e r ar are t arc o n i , 2 12
d d by
P e rs e c u t i o n , e n u r e V B B att i s t a
. a r an i , 3 24
F M
Pe su c c i , Do n ran c e s c o ari a , 1 7 6

z k v df
Pi ac e n a, t h e S ain t t a e n t o , 2 9 3 t h e S ain t r e m o e ro m , 3 6
M y
Pi az z in i , S i st e r ar An n e , 1 1 1
F h Fl d
Pi e rl e o n i, at e r o ri o , 1 3 6

Pi u s VI ,
1 21
.

d v
P o or , t h e , e o t i o n o f t h e S ain t t o , 1 2
v y l v
Po e rt , t h e S ain t s o e o f, 225

h f
Prai se , t h e S ai n t s r i nk s ro m , 25 7
y p p
Pra e r, re arat i o n f o r, 391
d d l h by
Pr e s e n t s m a e t o t h e n u n s, h o w e a t w it t h e S ain t , 229
f V
Pro e s s i o n o f t h e S ain t , 5 6 3 o f t h e B B at t i st a aran i , 329
.

ph y g f
Pro e c , i t o f , 2 7 5
g y h f ld p
P u r at o r , t h e t re e o , o f th e S ain t , 1 79, 1 8 1 , 1 84 3 ain s
o f , 369
y v
P u ri t , i rt u e o f, 2 36
M g
R an u c c i, p ph y
ar ar e t , ro ec g
o f t h e S ai n t c o n c e rn i n , 2 76
y d h ph l
R a n au , T e o i u s, 1 40

lg g
R e i i o u s, m e an in o f, 143

R i st o ri , S i s t e r T e re sa, m i st re s s o f n o i c e s, 47
v
d g z F h
R o ri ue , at e r, w o r s o f , 7 3 k
L
R o se , S , o f i m a, 1 4, 1 5 , 1 6, 8 8, 1 03, 1 06
.

l lf gv
Ru e s o f i e i e n by
o ur or L d t o t h e S ain t , 1 97
S ain t s s e e n in v i s i o n by S . V
e r o n i c a , 2 74

d g d p k
S at an , i s u i se a s t h e m i st re s s o f t h e n o i c e s, s e a s t o t h e
v
k
S ai n t , 49 3 s t ri e s t h e S ain t , 6 1 3 as su m e s t h e a e aran c e pp
lk
o f t h e S ai n t , 1 2 6 3 a s s u m e s t h e i e n e s s o f t h e b h p
i s o , 1 84 3
a s su m e s t h e a pp
e aran c e of our L d p
o r , 2 00 3 a t t e m t s ; t o
f gh
ri b
t e n t h e S ai n t , 249 3 e at s t h e S ai n t , 2 63 3 u rn s h e r b
h d
an , 2 64

b M g pp b h p
S e as t i ani , o n si n o r Gi u se e , i s o o f C itt a d i C ast e l o , l
d y
42 3 a m i t s t h e S ai n t t o a m o n as t e r , 43 3 r o p ph y ec o f, o n
gv g lg h b
i in t h e r e i i o u s a i t t o t h e S ain t , 46
S e gap e li , F h
at e r V
i n c e n t , 1 83, 203 3 ro p ph y
ec o f t h e S ai n t

g
c o n c e rn i n , 2 7 8
ph
S e ra im , 343
S in , e ff e c t o f , 38 7
l bp
S u m e r, s iri t o f, 392
d lv d f
S o ul s, e i e re ro m p g
u r at o r y by th e p y
ra e rs o f t h e S ain t,

p L
22 1 3 ain o f o u r o r db l
e c au s e o f o s t , 3 65
p d d l
S a a, C ar i n a 1 5 2 ,

M
Sp an ac i an i, S i s t e r ar y l h l g
C o n s t an c e , m i rac u o u s e a in o f ,
g p
s aw t h e ri n l
o f e s o u sa s o n t h e g
n e r o f t h e S ain t , 1 08

g l
S p an ac i e ri S i n o r G i u i o , 2 24
S t aph e n i a So n c i n ati , B e ssel d
1 40.
418 INDE X .

V il
e , a, o f th e S ai n t s t ai n e d w it h t e ars of bl o o d ,
2 16
Ve ni Sp o nsa C h r is ti , 1 05 , 1 06
Ve ro n i c a , S b irt h an d b ap ti sm
.
, f y
4 3 i n an c o f , 5 3 m i rac u
of,
lous s e ec p h
o f, 6 3 dv
e o ti o n o f, t o t h e I f
n an t J
e su s , 7 , 2 73 3
h g
s e e s t h e H o st s in i n , 1 0 3 h e r l v
o e o f s u f e ri n f g
1 3 , 25 3,

y h l z l
out fu ea l
o f , 1 8 3 c o n r m at i o n o f , 20 3 t ri a s o f , i n h e r

f h
at e r s

h o u se , 3 1 3 re t u rn o f M ll
to ,
l
e r c at e o , 3 6 3 s in gu a r
ll f h g y b
i n e s s o f, 36 3 s e e s h e r at e r i n P u r a t o r , 39 3 an d o t ain s
d lv l k
h i s e i e ran c e , 4O 3 m i rac u o u s n o w e l dg L e of a t i n o f , 43 3
b e c o m e s a n u n , 44 3 f k b d
ran n e s s a n d o e i e n c e o f , 4 7 ; s e c s

our L d or v p
i n a i si o n , 5 5 3 t h e i m re s s i o n o f t h e c r o s s o n t h e
h v h l
e art o f, 63 3 m i s t r e s s o f n o i c e s , 6 7 ; u m i i a t i o n s o f, 7 1 3

v ll l
s e e re i n e s s o f, 7 5 3 e e c t ed bb a b g
e ss , 7 7 , 2 5 0, 25 6 3 e s ou r

L dya bb
to b e th e a f l p d g
e s s , 2 68 3 c ar e u n e s s o f, i n ro v i in fo r
d
t h e n e e s o f th e h h l
o u se , 7 9 3 v i s i o n o f t h e c a i c e , 8 6 3 at
t ac ek d by d v l v
e i s , 90, 2 49 3 h
i si o n o f t h e c r o w n o f t o rn s ,
d l g p p
9 3 3 e n u re s th e c ru e t e st s o f t h e s ur e o n s , 9 7 3 h e r r e a
p
rat i o n f o r t h e s ir i t u a l p l b
e s o u sa s , 1 04 3 lyu rn s t h e Ho
h b l ly
N am e in t o h e r e s , 1 1 2 3 a s t in e n c e o f , 1 1 6 3 m i ra c u o u s
h d l lv
n o u ri s e , 1 20 3 h as e av e t o i e o n b d re a an d w a t e r, 1 22 3
p
s u e rn at u r a l l h
t ri a s o f , 1 2 7 3 h e r d d
e art i s w o u n e , 1 32 3
w w h
ri t e s it h e r o wn bl d d
o o , 1 34 3 w o u n h d i n h e r an , 1 38 ;
v g
re c e i e s t h e s t i m at a, 1 40, 1 5 1 3 t e s t s o f h e r m i rac ul o u s s t at e ,
d g p
1 66 3 t h e S ai n t u n e r o e s t h e ai n s o f t h e Pa ss io n , 1 68 1 7 1 3

l
an d t h e D o o u rs o f o u r L dy a ,
d d k
1 72 3 c o m m an e to m a e a
p l p
i c t u re o f th e m irac u o u s i m r e ss i o n s o n h e r h e ar t , 1 7 5 3
f ll
o re t e s h e r o w n d h k h p pl xy
e a t , 1 7 9 3 s t ru c wi t a o e ,
1 80 3
g
s u ff e rin s o f , f phy
r o m t h e t re a t m e n t o f t h e s i c i an s , 1 82 3
d he at z l
o f , 1 90 3 p p g
e a o f, f o r t h e f h
ro a a t i o n o f t h e ai t , 2 04 3

d b d l
wr o t e u n e r o e i e n c e , 2 62, 2 7 2 3 m ira c e s o f, 264
V d d by
i si o n s , n o t e s ir e t h e S a in t , 5 8
V l F h
it a e , pp
at e r, a do in t e p
t o t e s t t h e s iri t o f t h e S ain t , 1 5 2
V o c at i o n ,g ra c e s o f , 1 07

W o r , t h e , at r e o f, 3 1 8
ld h d
W o u n s, t h e S ac re , 1 41 , 1 49
d d
X a i e r, S
v F . pp
r an c i s, a e ar s t o t h e S ain t , 1 6 1

THE END .

R . W A SH B OU RNE , PR I NTE R, 1 8 PA TE RNO S TER B OW , LONDO N .