On Easter Sunday, Blessed Veronica of Milan was taken into a mystical rapture and witnessed the Risen Christ first appear in radiant glory to His Mother, filling her with tender joy. She then saw Him revealed to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and the holy women, just as the Gospels recount. This vision was renewed in her heart each Sunday for a year, as Christ promised such grace to all who pray with sincerity.
On the day of Easter Sunday, after receiving the most Holy Eucharist, Blessed Veronica was taken up into a mystical rapture, which continued until the hour of lunch. The beginning of this mystical trance, or vision, was witnessed by all the sisters of the convent. This was unusual, as Veronica’s visions normally occurred at night when she was alone.
In the course of her trance, Veronica’s companion angel led her to Mount Zion, to the house in which the Blessed Virgin had retired, led by Saint John, after the burial of Christ. Saint Mary Magdalene was present as well, and both the Mother of God and this devout female disciple of Jesus were weeping together in sorrow. Then Mary Magdalene asked the Virgin Mary for her permission to depart from her for a while, to go and visit the tomb in which the mortal remains of Jesus had been laid to rest. The Blessed Mother consented to this, and Veronica perceived a certain mysterious look of sudden and almost secret joy pass over her face, as Mary Magdalene went forth to the tomb.
Then Blessed Veronica had a private vision which explained this appearance of secret joy upon the face of the Virgin Mary at this time. For she saw Christ Himself, already risen from the tomb, garbed in a brilliant white garment and radiant with luminous splendor. He entered the house where His Mother was mourning, unseen by anyone except for Mary herself and Blessed Veronica. Mary and Jesus greeted each other with overwhelming joy and embraced tenderly.
After this, the mind of Veronica was led by her companion angel to follow in the footsteps of Mary Magdalene as she set forth for the tomb of Jesus. Everything happened there precisely as the Gospel relates. She saw Christ in the garden near the tomb, having the appearance of a gardener. Then, later, He appeared to two of the disciples, having the appearance of a pilgrim on His way to Emmaus. Blessed Veronica was able to hear everything that Our Lord said, both when He appeared as a gardener and when He appeared as a pilgrim. She then saw Christ appearing to the four women on the day of the Resurrection. The angel also revealed to Veronica the names of each of these four women.
After this, Veronica’s vision ended, and she returned to her normal senses.
Such was the humility of Veronica that she blushed with modesty when she realized that all of the other sisters had perceived her entering into a mystical trance at this time. But she derived consolation and encouragement from certain word the Savior spoke to her. For He said: “O my daughter, I have granted you this vision as a special gift! But know that there are certain secrets which I still choose to keep from you.”
We should not neglect to mention that, for the space of a year, on every Sunday, this vision of the Resurrection of the Lord was renewed in the heart and mind of Veronica. She relates that Christ said to her on several occasions: “O my daughter Veronica, know that I am willing and able to bestow this vision of My Resurrection on whomsoever prays for it with sincerity and fervor. Therefore, I direct you to pray to Me in this way: O Lord, for the honor of Your most holy Resurrection, grant unto me this gift, if it be Your will, and if it will be useful for the salvation of my soul. Amen.”
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This article is taken from a chapter in The Life of Christ Revealed by Blessed Veronica of Milan which is available from TAN Books.
