The Joyful Dream

On By Renee Yann, RSMIn spirituality

August 27, 2025

Margaret O’Reilly – Sister Mary Veronica
Played by Eileen Sizer, RSM

Holding on to hope … how weak and fragile is our grasp.
Let me tell you my story.
It is one you may not have expected to hear tonight.

My name is Margaret O’Reilly.
Couldn’t be more Irish, could I?
I too was born in Cork but, with my family,
Came to America when Ireland languished.

I entered the Sisters of Mercy
in Manchester, New Hampshire,
And was known as Sister Mary Veronica…
“Veronica” …
the one who bore the true image of the suffering Christ.

I traveled with the pioneer band to Philadelphia in 1861.
I was filled with enthusiasm and energy
to do the works of mercy.
I wanted to change the world,
But instead… the world changed me.

My spirit broke under the burden of our early hardships.
We were so often hungry, so cold, so poor.
Fear took my heart…. It tried to crush my dream.
I spent many years before I died
incapacitated by my broken spirit.

‘Tis a heavy tale, is it not?
Indeed it would be had I not – all the time –
Been held in God’s own heart
Which heals and glorifies all our broken dreams
And allows them to live
in the generations we cannot yet see.


From the wounds of my suffering,
God wove the royal purple robe
of my salvation and my joy.
I have blessed you and embraced you in its folds.

In the silent years,
God and I have dreamed a dream of joy for you…
A joy expressed in tenderness
for those who have been broken,
For those deemed “damaged”
by a world that doesn’t understand.

So dear ones, it is not my work,
But instead my suffering
that is my legacy to you.
Like Veronica,
may you bring mercy to the broken body of Christ.

Through the years, I have seen you embrace
the misunderstood and the vulnerable.

I know that in the mysterious way of God
You have found great joy in that embrace.

For Your Reflection:

  • What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
  • Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ? 
  • What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?

Suggested Scripture: Isaiah 41:8-10

Click for Scripture

5 thoughts on “The Joyful Dream”

    2. Very moving reflection. I’m reminded of Jesus’ apostle Matthew. He was surprised by joy when Jesus chose him as Sr. Veronica was also surprised by joy! Sr. Veronica may have been excluded in some circles b/c of her condition. St. Matthew seemed to lack social skills so he may have been mistreated since he was different. No matter how broken Veronica was or how awkward Matthew was. They continued to follow Jesus.

      Thanks Sr. Renee! More thanks for sharing your many gifts.

      Kris

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  2. Hi Sister!

    It is funny that I read my feeds backwards, from the most recent to the oldest. At first I could not understand your posts though they struck some chords in my heart. but when I got into its starting post, I realized it is about your congregation history. Whoever thought of that style of presentation is a genius and so inspired. They are very evocative with feeling still percolating after reading, so nice to go back to. I am thinking of imitating it for kids in our celebration of March of Saints in November. God bless to you and your sisters too!

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