Venerable Mother Veronica of the Passion (1823 to 1906)

Mother Veronica (Miss Sophie Leeves), was born on 1 October, 1823, to an Anglican Minister. She was led by God into the Catholic faith. She was received into the Catholic Church on 2 February, 1850 and then to the religious life on 14 September, 1851, as a sister of St. Joseph of the Apparition, taking the name Sister Mary Veronica of the Passion. The Cross had a significant place in her life making her in truth, a victim.

Being sent to India in 1861, she felt an interior call to Carmel. Under the guidance of Fr. Marie Ephrem, she accepted her mission to found this new Congregation. After much struggle and many difficulties Mother Veronica found a Carmel for the Missions on 16 July, 1868 in Pau, France. It was established in Mangalore, India, in 1870, by Bishop Marie Ephrem OCD. Three years later, she returned to the Carmel of Pau, making the Apostolic Carmel the special object of her prayers and sacrifice. Her life of loving surrender to God under challenging circumstances culminated in her holy death on 16 November, 1906.

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