Born in Italy in 1660, she was the youngest of seven sisters born to Francesca and Benedetto and her Baptismal name was Ursula. 

When she was still a little girl she was already showing signs she understood the suffering of the poor, offering food and even her own clothes to children in need. 

However, she could be very demanding, especially in spiritual matters. Then, at the age of sixteen, she had a vision in which she saw her heart, made of steel, and that was life-changing. 

Two of her sisters had already given their life to The Lord and her father wanted Ursula to marry. 

So, initially, he resisted her requests to enter religious life but ultimately relented and at seventeen she entered the Monastery of the Capuchins of the Poor Clares and took the name, Veronica. 

At the end of the ceremony of her reception the Bishop looked at Veronica and said: “Lord, I commend to Your care this special daughter, for one day she will become a great Saint.” 

When she was 34, Veronica became Novice Mistress and she would hold that position for more than three decades but she also became an extraordinary mystic and had visions of the terrible suffering of the Holy Souls in Purgatory on three separate occasions. 

Veronica was also given the stigmata and marks on her forehead from the crown of thorns. 

She died on this day in 1727.

St. Veronica Giuliani, please pray for us.