Mangalore: Foundress of Apostolic Carmel proclaimed Venerable by Vatican


Sr M Lydia AC
Apostolic Carmel Generalate
Bangalore 

Mangalore, Jul 15: Mother Veronica, foundress of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation with its first house St Ann’s Convent, Mangalore, has been declared Venerable by the Vatican.

The bulletin of the Vatican, "Promulgation of Decrees of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, July 9, 2014" announced the following:

"The heroic virtues of the Servant of God Maria Veronica of the Passion (nee Sofia Leeves), professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, founder of the Sisters of the 'Apostolic Carmel’ ; born in Istanbul (Turkey) on 1 October 1823 and died in Pau (France) November 16, 1906."

This was subsequent to the approval of Pope Francis of the decision of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on July 8, that the Servant of God Mary Veronica of the Passion nee Sophie Leeves has practised virtue to a heroic degree and authorised Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to issue the Decree declaring her Venerable." It was then published in the Vatican bulletin of July 9."

Mother Veronica, a British (Anglican) convert to Catholicism is the Foundress of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation with its first house St Ann’s Convent, Mangalore in India, started in 1870 which became the Mother House with the closure of the Foundation House (1868) in Bayonne, France.

Mother Mary Veronica began life as Sophie Leeves in 1823 in Istanbul. She was the daughter of Marina Leeves and Rev Henry Daniel Leeves, a Military Chaplain to the British Ambassador. She was well educated and had skills in writing and music. However, as a teenager she became very prayerful. She felt drawn to the Catholic Church, especially the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion.
Her mother and others were not pleased, especially when she broke off her engagement to young and handsome naval officer. She was received into the Catholic Church in February 1850 in Malta where her father was stationed.

The following year, she went to France where she entered the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition, and became a professed as a member in 1851 and received the name Sr Mary Veronica of the Passion. Having worked in several schools in Europe, she was sent to Calicut, India in 1862. She showed a special love for the less fortunate. She wanted both the rich and the poor to enjoy all the ‘goods of the land’ – God’s gift for his people. She learnt the local language Malayalam. In 1867, she returned to France to start in Bayonne, what became the Apostolic Carmel. She trained three sisters and sent them to India. Shortly after their arrival, the Sisters opened St Ann’s School for Girls.

In 1873, Mother Veronica herself returned to the cloistered monastery, the Carmel of Pau, from there she prayed for her Apostolic Carmel in India for decades until she died in 1906 at the age of 83. Mother Veronica’s cause of canonization was taken up by the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel in 1996. The next step on the road to sainthood is the approval of one miracle after which Mary Veronica could be beatified. If a second miracle were approved, it would open the way for her canonisation.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Sr. Fatimanayaki, Srilanka

    Mon, Mar 20 2017

    Awaiting eagerly for the glorious dawn of our loved saintly Foundress to be raised to the Altar of Grace so that all her love labour may be recognized by the Church and we may have our Saint to closely intercede for us.

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  • Charles & Vera Crasto, Bejai, England

    Fri, Jul 18 2014

    Happy Feast and Hearty congratulations to the Apostolic Carmelite community at the proclamation of your Foundress as Venerable by the Vatican. We are so privileged to be associated with the AC sisters rooted through our family and friends. May Our Lord continue to shower his blessings on this prestigious institution in all the wonderful works they do for the development of society all across the globe.
    May the AC community increase and multiply a hundred fold.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • ST ALOYSIUS B. ED STAFF, MANGALORE

    Thu, Jul 17 2014

    Hearty congratulations to all Apostolic Carmel Sisters, especially to Sisters of St Ann's College of Education, Mangalore.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Christine, Mangalore

    Thu, Jul 17 2014

    Great!!!! Congratulations dear Apostolic Carmel Sisters. In Venerable Veronica we have a saint in the making!!!!
    may Venerable Veronica intercede for us.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Eleanora & Raymond Merlin, India/France

    Thu, Jul 17 2014

    Bonne Fete to all sisters of Apostolic Carmel. Wonderful news of Blessed Mother Veronica on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Hearty Congrats to AC Congregation. Venerable Mother Veronica intercede for everyone.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sr. Fatimanayaki.A.C, Sri lanka

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    We unite our selves with all the Carmelites all over the world to thank and praise the lord for the gift of Mother Veronica for the bold step she took, all the trials she bore to give birth to Apostolic Carmel. we reap the harvest of her labour now.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Elfreda Lewis, Toronto Canada

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    Congratulations and Bon Fest to ALL the Carmelite Sisters. This great news comes on a very special feast day!!We are privileged to be related to a few AC sisters, which makes us a part of their family. May Venerable Mother Veronica intercede for all of us.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Walter Appos, Kuwait

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    Congratulation to the Apostolic carmel congregation,may Blessed Mother Varonica pray for all of us ,God bless us all

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rony Mendonca, Moodbidri/Dubai

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    Congratulation to all A.C sisters today is the feast of Lady of Mount Carmel May the Mother Mary intercede for us for Mother Veronica's sainthood we will all remember in daily Rosary .I like A .C sisters dedicate service simple and humble natures.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • juliet Mascarenhas, Bejai

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    Wishing happy feast to all sisters of AC congregation throughout the world.We pray Venerable Mother Veronica may be beatified very soon.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Merlyn Brito, Orlando

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    This announcement brings me great joy since it was what I have been waiting to hear for a long time! My tiny role has borne fruit. May Mother Veronica continue to bless all of us today on the feast of Our lady of Mount Carmel and every day of our lives.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nita Pinto, Mangalore/Auckland

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    Congratulations to the AC Sisters! I am proud to be an old girl of St Ann's Convent, Mangalore.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rolphie Mascarenhas, Deralakatte, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 16 2014

    Good news on the feast day to all AC sisters. May Venerable Mother Veronica intercede for all of us and bring peace and abundance to mankind.My joyful greetings to all Sisters of Apostolic Carmel Congregation. May she be raised to Sainthood soon.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sr. Lisa B.S., Bajpe

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    Congratulations to the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel. May Blessed Mother Veronica intercede for all of us.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr Victor Machado, Mangalore/Tanzania

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    God be praised in his saints. May she intercede for us especially for peace in the trouble-torn world.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Herald Cutinha, Puttur / Bangalore

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    Congratulations to Apostolic Carmel Congregation and special greetings to all the Apostolic Carmelite Sisters.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • sr Severine Menezes, Belur, Hassan

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    Congratulations dear Sisters of Apostolic Carmel. May Blessed Mother Veronica intercede for all of us. God bless you all with the same zeal of Mother Veronica.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • sr.annie,CHF, kerala

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    congratulations to Apostolic carmel congregation.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • sr.annie,CHF, kerala

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    congratulations to Apostolic carmel congregation.Another event to celebrate on your feast day(July-16th)

    DisAgree [5] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr. Dominic Vas, ocd, Mysore

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    Hearty congratulations to our dear Apostolic Carmelite sisters. It is a cause of great joy not only to AC sisters and also CCR sisters. We pray that very soon she may be beatified.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Indira Pinto, Mumbai / Melbourne

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    Congratulations Dear Sr. Nirmalini and All the Sisters of Apostolic Carmel. Another event to celebrate on your Feast Day (Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel).

    DisAgree [5] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr. George Santhumayor, Mysore

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    Good news for all of us Carmelites but in a special way to Apostolic Carmel. Venerable Mother Veronica is a special gift to the Catholic Church in General and to Carmel in particular. A woman of great vision and holiness. May her life inspire Apsotolic Carmel members ! God bless !

    DisAgree [6] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr. Archie Gonsalves, ocd, Goa

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    No doubt this good news gives immense joy to the entire Carmelite family! A long cherished dream, for which we all prayed for the past many years, has come true. May Venerable Mother Veronica intercede for us. I extend my special greetings to all the Apostolic Carmelite Sisters!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr Paul Crasta, Bendur, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 15 2014

    Congratulations to Apostolic Carmel Congregation. May Blessed Mother Veronica intercede for you. God Bless Us All..

    DisAgree [7] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangalore: Foundress of Apostolic Carmel proclaimed Venerable by Vatican



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