It was with such joy in her heart that she greeted me. She had just come from Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and her excitement as she told me, was like a child on Christmas morning. On the front of her habit is depicted the Eucharist in a Monstrance, the God of her devotion that is, and has been, central to her life for 60 years. Her talents, love, and humility are so understated in her brown habit and black veil, as is her stature, now bent at her waist.
When she was young, she studied art in Chicago, Mexico and Rome. It was an Easter Vigil at the Vatican, that she received her vocation. She received Communion, and she knew that her life would be devoted to Adoration. She said, “thats all I have to say, on that.” She had been establishing a promising career in art. Painting was her passion, and she was ready to give it up. to adore Christ in the Eucharist. When she entered the Poor Clares, she didn’t paint for 10 years.
Today she had a drawing of “The Incarnation” that she had been working on. It was filled with so many nuances of faith in the details. Her passion was still there and expressed beautifully in this drawing. Then she took me into the next room, and laying on the floor was a painting named, “Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and the Communion of Saints.” It took up the entire floor of this one time chapel. She had painted it on her hands and knees.
It is inspiring to me that in one moment, this beautiful daughter of God laid down her paint brushes for His will in her life. She wasn’t confused by this tremendous talent given to her, when God called her to something else. She trusted that He knew what He was about. She pursued art to Rome, but found her life in Adoration. After she was influenced by her life in prayer, God called her back to her paintbrushes, and now her gifts are used to glorify God! She takes each idea to prayer, then creates with her heart. I shared my love of St Veronica, with her. She listened with such engaged intensity, and I could see Mother Thomas taking Veronica into her heart, as I spoke. Her method of prayer and heart, became evident in that moment.
I hope that I can do as Mother Thomas. To be so open to the Spirit of God that I can abandon what seems to be God’s gifts to me, for His will.
“At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Mt 4:20
Veronicas Veil 