Sr Veronica was chosen  to be the Grand Marshal for the St. Patrick’s  day parade in the Plaza de Maya Buenos Aires  on Saturday the 7th. of  March. In her address to those who gathered for this special occasion she thanked the organisers, on her own behalf and on behalf of the Dominican Sisters, for their appreciation of the fifty year presence of the Congregation in Argentina. She also thanked them for their recognition of the work done by her and all of the Sisters in Argentina in peace building, particularly through peace education, and also their work with women especially with those who suffer domestic violence and violence in so many different forms and situations.

Veronica told those present that this honour bestowed on her was a fulfilment of a dream. When she was 16 years old, carrying the Irish flag, she took part in a protest in her native place. Almost  sixty years ago action like this was not permitted and such action had consequences. Knowing this a young man took the flag from her and for him the consequences were severe, he suffered six months imprisonment.

Veronica was grateful that on this occasion she would not be heading to prison! That comment called forth a big round of applause from all who were present.  She said, today Ireland is in a very different place and that  peace on the island of Ireland was achieved thanks to all who worked  so tirelessly for peace. The leaders learned that the path to peace  was through tolerance and dialogue.

Veronica concluded with a prayer  of petition to St. Patrick asking him to rid her native land and her adopted country of all divisions and gift them with peace and unity.