When Mother Veronica was a child she immediately was attracted to dogs and took steps to learn how to train them. Her love of horses came instantly after her father took her to the state fair. From the point forward she had it in her mind that she would work hard to save her money so that she could buy her first horse. Her father reluctantly agreed but as her love for all things equestrian grew he put his foot down and forbid her to go forward with her pursuits to study horse training in college. Stubborn and a bit naive, she went forward and quickly began making a name for herself both in training horses but also in discovering the ways these enormous but gentle animals can be used to provide trauma therapy. It was only when I sat down to learn more about her work that the rest of the story came forward. There was a very good reason why she had animal therapy in her cross hairs. Her own experiences as a young woman with a small stature and big eye glasses attracted bullies in elementary and high school. There was even physical abuse. As she got into her early twenties her life long pursuit of working with animals seemed to be coming true but then she heard what was a very clear call from God to leave it all and enter religious life. Shortly after entering the Poor Clares she came across the diary of St. Faustina and a new found inspiration entered her heart. The next several decades would become one hurdle after another.
Through it all she was steadfast in honoring her declaration to God as repeated the quiet mantra to herself that, “horses, dogs, I will give them up.” I partnered with the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception to produce this story for their EWTN show, Living Divine Mercy available at: DivineMercyPlus.org. God who is all faithful and Goodness itself, gives us talents and desires for reasons not to torment us but delight us. Sometimes however, as in the story of Mother Veronica, it can take a long time to discern where He is leading us. Personally, I really needed to encounter her story. Life can at times be an arduous and dark journey especially when you’re trying to remain faithful and pleasing to God. I’m so grateful to Mother and her inspiring witness because it’s a reminder that Our Lord never forgets our prayers or dismisses our desires, no matter how impossible they might seem. As He told St. Faustina, “I have the final say in all human affairs.” Here is a story of great triumph and hope featuring some of God’s most beautiful four-legged creatures.
Franciscan Congregation of Divine Mercy
https://www.fcofdivinemercy.org/
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