Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org Orsola Giuliani was born on December 27, 1660 in Mercatello, Italy. At the age of 17, Orsola was received into the monastery of the Capuchin Poor Clares in Città di Castello in Umbria, Italy, taking the name of Veronica in memory of the Passion. At the conclusion of the ceremony of her reception, the bishop said to the abbess: "I commend this new daughter to your special care, for she will one day be a great saint." After 17 years in various offices in her community, she was entrusted with the guidance of the novices. It was at this time in her life when Veronica began to experience mystical revelations and she received the stigmata. Veronica was examined and tested by a local bishop. At the conclusion of these trials, the bishop reported to Rome that his tests had proved the admirable manifestations to be the work of God. St. Veronica Giuliani died on July 9, 1727. She was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839. Her feast day is July 9.