St. Verena was a beautiful light in terribly dark times. She volunteered to be a war medic to help fallen soldiers recuperate. And, when that mission was over, she traversed Switzerland healing the forgotten and the untouchable. She is portrayed in her icon holding a comb, a ewer, and some herbs - items she used in helping others' wounds and be clean.
Written by Verena Hana
She was born toward the end of the 3rd century and departed in peace at the beginning of the 4th century, in the year 320 A.D.
Let’s start out with St. Verena’s childhood; not many people knew about her childhood, but it seems that she had an average childhood. St. Verena was born in a city near Luxor, Egypt, to a noble and Christian family, as an only child.
Interesting fact: St. Verena’s name means the Good Fruit and that she was St. Maurice’s cousin.
When she grew up, her family encouraged her to go to Beni Swef, where she later met with Bishop Sherimon, who baptized her. After she was baptized, St. Verena went on a mission trip with her cousin St. Maurice to Switzerland, where she served as a nurse to soldiers wounded in war. After St. Maurice and his team were martyred, St. Verena adopted an ascetic life, full of fasting, prayer, helping the sick and those in need. God blessed her by performing many miracles through her.
St. Verena loved to especially help people with leprosy, because no one would go near them or touch them. She was brave enough to help mend their wounds and wasn’t worried about getting their contagious disease; she was brave in the face of all adversity.
I am named after St. Verena. And I am proud to have her blessing in my life!
Her story is incredibly inspiring. Read more here: https://www.stvnashville.org/st-verena
May the prayers and blessings of St. Verena the Healer be with us all, amen.
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