VEROLI, DIOCESE OF. — In Lazio, in the province of Frosinone, it covers an area of 451 sq. km., situated between the dioceses of Ferentino, Alatri, Aquino, Sora, and Pontecorvo. The population of 98,700 inhabitants is divided into 45 parishes, served by 82 secular priests and 84 regular clergy, with 11 male and 25 female religious congregations. It has the major seminary at Anagni, shared with the other dioceses of lower Lazio, and the minor seminary at Veroli. It is immediately subject to the Holy See, with the court of appeal at the Vicariate of Rome (Ann. Pont. 1953, p. 445).
Veroli is the ancient *Verulae* of the Romans, built on the ridge of a hill dominating the plain below as far as the Lepini Mountains. It was a Roman municipium, later devastated by the barbarians, until Pope Zacharias annexed it to the nascent Papal State.
Christianity in Veroli, according to local historians up to the 19th century, was believed to have been preached in the apostolic age by the Prince of the Apostles, who is said to have ordained a certain Mauro as its first bishop. To this was added the presence of St. Mary Salome, along with the alleged martyrs Blasius and Demetrius under Nero. Nothing could be more fanciful. The letters *MIV* on the stone covering the relics of the alleged martyrs were interpreted as: *«Mariam Iacobi Salomem videbis»*. Regarding the relics found at Veroli in the late 12th century, F. Lanzoni reasonably suspects they may belong to the famous martyrs Blasius of Sebaste and Demetrius of Thessalonica. The oldest Christian inscription discovered in the diocese of Veroli, at *Fabrateria Nova* (La Civita, near S. Giovanni in Carico), dates to 392 (CIL, X, 11, 546). This does not rule out the possibility of an evangelical preaching in Veroli in pre-Constantinian times, especially considering the consular road that crosses the diocese. Likewise, since no bishop of Veroli is known before 743, when Martin subscribed to the Roman Synod convoked by Zacharias, this does not exclude the earlier existence of the see. L. Duchesne was therefore justified in placing it before the Lombard invasion. Another inscription found in the cathedral of Veroli itself, possibly dating before the 6th century, mentions a *«Marturius presbyter»* (CIL, X, 11, 5799), and another, more recently discovered, bears the date 405. Gelasius I, in a letter of 494–95, delegates Bishops Rufinus and Justus to handle a dispute between the *«honorati et primarii Verulaneae civitatis»* and their accuser Agnellus. The Pope does not specify the sees of these bishops, who were most likely from Lazio, and it is not to be excluded that one of them was bishop of Veroli. Nor would it be unreasonable to suppose that *«Marturius presbyter»* and *«Agnellus diaconus»* belonged to the diocese of Veroli.The cathedral of V. dates back to the 8th century but preserves the structure of the 11th–12th centuries behind an 18th-century façade. It has an interesting Treasury and an Archive containing over 1,200 parchments from the 9th century onward. The church of S. Erasmo is also Romanesque; together with its annexed monastery, it first belonged to the Benedictines and later passed to the Canons, who established their collegiate there. It also possesses a fine Treasury and parchments from the 11th century. In 1170, Alexander III founded in V. a hospital for lepers with an adjoining church.
VERONA, DIOCESE OF. — Façade of the Cathedral (18th cent.), with rose window of the ancient structure (11th–12th cent.) — Veroli.
She was repeatedly humbled, yet exercised great influence especially as a spiritual guide and mystical writer. A disciple, even by paternal tradition, of St. Catherine of Genoa, whose godmother she had been, she had assimilated the latter’s doctrine of pure love. Driven by this flame, she wrote, with remarkable competence, on the most difficult theological problems. Ever fearing to err, she consented to the publication of her voluminous writings only out of obedience. She was held in high esteem by the most eminent persons of her time; Fr. ARIA (v.) called her a miracle of her century. The cause for her beatification was introduced in 1639.
Her works were printed in five editions; the two most important are: Opere Spirituali della vergine di Christo donna Battista da Genova (3 vols., Venice 1588), completed by a 4th vol. (Verona 1602); the other (6 vols., Venice 1588) is enriched with a well-informed preface and notes. The 1588 princeps edition, edited by D. Gaspare da Piacenza, contains useful annotations and many letters of hers; of particular importance is the one addressed to St. Andrew Avellino, who had consulted her on whether to continue his apostolic activity.
V.’s doctrine is not set forth in a systematic way. The central idea is the union of the soul with God; in relation to this, she offers a true compendium of mystical theology, especially in her treatise on the Pater noster.