Matevž Langus, St. Joseph Portrait Set with St. Teresa of Avila and St. Veronica Giuliani
Mid-19th century
St. Nicholas Cathedral, Ljubljana, Slovenia
As usual for St. Josephs in the modern era, Joseph carries a lily branch – historically descended from the flowering rod in his legend, but reimagined today simply as a symbol that he was Mary's "most chaste spouse," in the words of the Catholic "Divine Praises" prayer.
On the left, St. Teresa is identified by her Dominican habit, by her importance as an author of spiritual manuals, and by the pierced heart pinned to her breast.
The saint on the right is more problematic. The stigmata, Capuchin habit, embraced cross, and crown of thorns suggest that she is St. Veronica Giuliani (Née Ursula Giuliani, Butler III:57, feast July 9). But the church's guidebook calls her "Marietta of Cortona," a name unknown in any of my sources. There was a St. Margaret of Cortona in the 13th century who was portrayed in a similar habit, but she is not said to have received the stigmata or worn a crown of thorns.
St. Margaret of Cortona in her gray Franciscan habit with the thrice-knotted rope belt. (Source: Wikimedia Commons.)
