Published: Wednesday, 7th July, 2010 4:50pm

Oldcastle nun makes decision to become hermit

by Ann Casey

Tributes to Sr Veronica for 40 years of service

Sister Veronica has vowed herself to a life of simplicity, solitude and prayer.
Pic by==: 97

An Oldcastle nun, who has spent 40 years nursing in Zambia, is now planning to live as a religious hermit here in Ireland.

Sister Veronica Moore from Oldcastle made her profession of vows for the eremitical life in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, last Thursday.

She will now live a life of solitude and prayer in Bishopsgate Street, Mullingar.

Sr Veronica was joined in the celebration by members of her own family, as well as religious sisters and parishioners from Mullingar community, who congratulated her on her new vocation.

Speaking after the ceremony, she said: "The change from being a terribly busy nurse in Zambia to 'doing nothing' has been relatively easy. God has taken over quietly and gently. I really believe that more things are wrought by prayer that this world could even dream of."

During the Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael Smith in the Cathedral on Thursday morning, Sr Veronica vowed herself to a life of simplicity, solitude and prayer.

Welcoming her decision, the bishop paid tribute to her earlier life of 40 years' service as a religious sister and nurse with the Mercy Sisters in Zambia, where she cared for people who are among the poorest in the world.

"Leaving this life of active service, Sr Veronica now finds a new way of offering her life to God and her brothers and sisters. Her's will be a life of quiet witness and constant prayer, uniting herself more closely to the Lord and assisting all of us with her daily prayer," he said.

Bishop Smith drew on the example of St Oliver Plunkett, who returned from Rome to offer his life in the service of justice and peace, giving the ultimate sacrifice in his martyrdom at Tyburn in 1681.

"The life of the Church flows from the strength of prayer. The vocation to pray is rooted deep in the mystery of the human person. Each one of us called to grow in closer friendship with the Lord, who is the source of our peace. When we pray for others and for the needs of the world, we are offering a powerful gift to the life of our community," Bishop Smith said.

Sr Veronica is the fourth person in recent years to live as a hermit in the Diocese of Meath. Sr Patricia Conway in Multyfarnham and Sr Una Kearney in Tubber-Moate have already professed their vows to live the eremitical life, while Fr David Jones in Duleek will do so in a similar ceremony in the Cathedral on Monday 4th October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.

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