Gallerij – Veronica O'Brien

Midleton, childhood and youth

Here are some family photos of Veronica, the institute where she attended primary school and the School of the Ladies of Saint Clotilde where she attended secondary school. She did her novitiate in this Congregation and was a teacher there.

The birthplace of Dr. O'Brien's family.

A photo of the O'Brien family.

Veronica on her father's lap (1908).

Veronica O'Brien's parish church in Midleton.

The Sisters of the Presentation primary school where Veronica attended school.

The secondary school in Eltham near London, run by the Ladies of St. Clotilde, where Veronica O'Brien attended secondary school from 1912 to 1918.

The secondary school in Eltham today.

Veronica is third from the left.

Legion of Mary, Congregations

We are taken to Nevers (France) to the tomb of Saint Bernadette. During the Second World War (1940-1945) and at the request of Bishop Flynn, the Sisters of Charity of Nevers took Veronica in. The photos reflect some of the activities and meetings of the Legion of Mary founded in France by Veronica.

The pediment of the Saint Gildard Chapel at the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, where Veronica was welcomed at the request of Bishop Flynn.

The statue of Saint Bernadette in front of the grotto at Saint Gildard.

The body of Saint Bernadette, which remained intact, displayed in the chapel of Saint Gildard.

Bishop Patrice Flynn, Bishop of Nevers.

A meeting of the Senatus of the Legion of Mary in Paris (1950s).

Street Evangelization; Veronica is on the right.

The altar of the Legion of Mary during their weekly meetings, called "Praesidia".

A visit by the Pope's Prelate to the Legion of Mary in Lourdes.

Welcomed by the Legion of Mary, the Holy Father's Prelate signs the guest book.

A procession of the Legion of Mary in Lourdes

A group of the Legion of Mary in Lourdes in front of the Basilica of the Rosary.

For the Legion of Mary, Vexillum is a whole catechesis of evangelisation in images.

Frank Duff, founder of the Legion of Mary.

The Legion of Mary's permanent headquarters in Lourdes.

A meeting of the Legion of Mary in their Parisian centre. Veronica is second from the left.

A meeting of the Legion of Mary at their Paris center. Veronica is second from the left.

Veronica, deeply committed to the formation of religious sisters in active congregations involved in evangelisation.

Highlights of spiritual life

Not only did she keep her religious cross, but also her religious name. ‘Veronica’. She always highlighted the feast of the Nativity of Mary and even made a small cradle. At her request, an iconographer painted an icon for this feast. Every day, she made time for Eucharistic Adoration.

Not only did she keep her nun's cross but also her nun's name, «Veronica».
She always highlighted the feast of the Nativity of Mary and even made a small crib. At her request, an iconographer painted an icon for this feast.
Every day, she took time for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Throughout her life, Veronica kept her religious cross on her bedside table. Every morning and evening, she would make the sign of the cross with it.

The painting of her consecration to Jesus through the hands of Mary, a ceremony that Canon Ernest Guynot, Veronica's spiritual director, had prepared with her.

The station of the cross, depicting Veronica wiping the face of Christ, which had special meaning for Veronica.

The little nativity scene to celebrate the Nativity of Mary, commemorated by the Church on 8 September.

The icon of the Nativity of Mary painted at Veronica's request by an iconographer from the Community of Poor Clares in Nice (France).

The tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament exposed; every day, Veronica would spend in adoration there.

Spiritual guidance for King Baudouin

It was in 1960 that Veronica began, in the utmost discretion, to provide spiritual guidance to King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola, a role she continued until King Baudouin’s death in 1993.

General Debêche, personal assistant to King Baudouin (1960), with Miss Yvette Dubois and the future Queen Fabiola of Belgium.

King Baudouin with his fiancée Fabiola di Aragon, future Queen of Belgium.

Veronica and Yvette received in audience by Pope John XXIII.

The King and Queen of Belgium welcomed by His Eminence Cardinal Suenens at Brussels Cathedral.

Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, with some leaders, accompanied by Veronica and welcomed by the Belgian royal couple.

Queen Fabiola visiting Veronica O’Brien.

Charismatic Renewal

Sent to the United States in 1972 by Cardinal Suenens, Veronica discovered the grace of the Charismatic Renewal. Through her expertise, she became the Lord's instrument in bringing the leaders of this Renewal to Rome. She also worked hard to ensure that this current of grace was welcomed into the heart of the Church.

Cardinal Suenens' official residence, Boulevard de Smet de Naeyer, Brussels.

A meeting at Cardinal Suenens' residence; from left to right: Canon Wilfried Brieven, Cardinal Suenens, Veronica O'Brien, Cardinal Benelli, Mr. Ralph Martin.

The theological team assembled by Cardinal Suenens on the subject of address the Charismatic Renewal. In the front row, Veronica, Father Lebeau, S.J., Ralph Martin, and Yvette Dubois.

Veronica meets Pope Paul VI.

Discovering praise in a Renewal prayer group

Veronica O'Brien (1975).

The pilgrimage of 10,000 members of the Charismatic Renewal. At the end of Mass, Pope Paul VI joins Cardinal Suenens to deliver a speech containing the significant words: “The Charismatic Renewal is an opportunity for the Church.”

Pope Paul VI entrusted Cardinal Suenens with the task of guiding the Charismatic Renewal.

Yvette Dubois praying in the chapel of Cardinal Suenens' residence.

A first meeting of Charismatic Renewal leaders with Pope John Paul II in the early 1980s. Veronica is third from the left.

Veronica at Cardinal Suenens' residence, where for years the leaders of the Renewal were hosted. At Veronica's request, the Renewal's coordinating office was transferred to Rome.

A meeting between Veronica and Frank Duff in Paris in 1987 to tell him about the grace of the Charismatic Renewal.

Veronica and Yvette, a dynamic duo in the apostolate. Bishop Flynn had insisted that Veronica accept Yvette as her collaborator.

On Pentecost Monday 2019, Pope Francis officially established CHARIS. On several occasions (2014, 2015), the Holy Father emphasized the importance of Cardinal Suenens' writings and referred to Veronica O'Brien.

Angelus/FIAT Apostolate

Through the FIAT Apostolate, Veronica sought to lead small groups within the Church, with the aim of encouraging and inspiring Christians to live out their baptism in the service of evangelisation. Veronica collaborated with Cardinal Suenens on his books, booklets and other writings which were published in multiple languages. The FIAT rosary prayer available on this website reveals its spiritual significance.

Van Gogh's painting, “The Sower,” had always hung in the entrance hallway of the house, alluding to the Parable of the Sower.

The tabernacle in the Chapel of L'Angélus, the house where the core team of the FIAT Association lived from 1983 to 1998.

Veronica O'Brien explaining the purpose of the FIAT Apostolate to Pope John Paul II.

On the terrace of L'Angélus; from left to right: Yvette Dubois, Cardinal Suenens, Roger Matthys, Veronica O'Brien.

Cardinal Suenens presents the FIAT rosary.

The FIAT rosary as Veronica received it in a spiritual vision. Cardinal Godfried Danneels encouraged its distribution.

The front of the FIAT medal. The Virgin Mary is represented by a diamond, because she faithfully captures and reflects everything she has received.

The reverse side of the FIAT medal. A whole catechesis in images (see www.associationfiat.com)

The Eucharist presided over by Bishop François Deniau at “St. Gildard” during an International Gathering of Friends of FIAT in Nevers.

The Friends of FIAT during the FIAT International Meeting in Nevers in 2003.

Cardinal Danneels presiding over the Eucharist during the International Meeting of the Friends of FIAT in Mechelen in 2014.

Veronica O'Brien meeting Roger Matthys, president of the FIAT Association.

Father Jean Meeus, S.J., co-founder of the Centre de l'Annonciation in Liège, a team that led many “Life in the Spirit” sessions.

Apostle to the end, death

The sixth series of photos captures the final years of Veronica's life. Though physically frail, she remained clear-headed and dedicated herself to the Proclamation right to the very end.

The FIAT medal, for which she created the original design, shows us a catechesis in images. Praying the FIAT Rosary brings it all to life. Humbly, the FIAT Association continued Veronica's work through gatherings in Belgium, Spain, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, Austria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, the United States and Italy. The Eucharistic celebration was at the centre of all these meetings.

Veronica's funeral was celebrated in Nevers (France), where she began her apostolate of direct evangelisation with the Legion of Mary.

Miss Yvette Dubois, Veronica's loyal companion for over 57 years.
Miss Yvette Dubois, Veronica's faithful companion for more than 57 years. Queen Fabiola was present at Veronica's funeral in 1998.

Pope John Paul II's message for Veronica's 90th birthday.

Cardinal Suenens celebrating Mass at the international secretariat of the FIAT Association.

Veronica O'Brien picking up rubbish on the street in order to strike up a conversation with refuse collectors and talk to them about Jesus.

Veronica's last visit to the FIAT Association secretariat.

Veronica surrounded by her two angels, Yvette and Cecile.

Veronica on her deathbed.

The funeral Mass presided over by Bishop Lanneau, Auxiliary Bishop of Brussels.

Some members of the Legion of Mary during the Mass of Thanksgiving at Rue du Bac in Paris.

A final prayer at Veronica's grave during her burial at the Jean Gauterin cemetery in Nevers, in the presence of Queen Fabiola (second from the right).

Veronica's grave.

Queen Fabiola embraces Yvette Dubois during the rite of peace.

Yvette spent the last years of her life at “Ma Maison” with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Nevers, where she died on 5 November, 2008.

The Cause of the Servant of God, Veronica O’Brien

The diocesan phase of Veronica's beatification process was opened on 31 May 2022, on the feast of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Following the NIHIL OBSTAT (approval) from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, given at the request of the local bishop, this first session was presided over by Cardinal Jozef De Kesel at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels as was the Eucharistic celebration that followed. From that moment on, Veronica O'Brien has been a ‘Servant of God’.

The opening of Veronica's Cause for Beatification in Mechelen on 31 May, 2022.

The Beatification Process: address by Monsignor Luc Terlinden, then Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels and now Archbishop.

Cardinal Jozef De Kesel presides over the first session marking the opening of the Cause of the Servant Veronica O'Brien.

H4 During the first session, Cardinal Jozef De Kesel takes the oath.

Father Marcel De Pauw, MSC, Promoter of Justice.

A niece of Veronica with her husband and a friend during the celebration of the Eucharist of thanksgiving (on the opening day of the Process, 31 May, 2022).

A speech by Father Terlinden, then Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels.

Father Michel Coppin, SDS, Episcopal Delegate.

Signing of documents.

Booklet for the Eucharistic celebration of 22 May, 2022.

Cardinal Jozef De Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, presiding over the Eucharist of thanksgiving after the opening session of the Cause.

Opening of the Eucharistic celebration.