Bound to Him: Joel and Veronica Plasencia shed light on the importance of an active faith
Joel and Veronica Plasencia pose before a painting of Jesus in a workroom at St. George Parish in Fort Worth. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
In his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis introduces the concept of panta hypoménei, a love that endures trials with positivity. He describes it as a love that “stands firm in hostile surroundings” and “never gives up, even in the darkest hour” (118).
Longtime St. George parishioners Joel and Veronica Plasencia have each faced many trials that deepened their understanding of panta hypoménei. Together, they reflect on how God led them to one another and how they have shared His love with their five children and beyond.
A rough start
Joel grew up a cradle Catholic but turned away from his faith after the tragic murder of his pregnant first wife by a distant relative and the subsequent death of his mother from cancer. Feeling abandoned by God, he embraced atheism, drugs, alcohol, and violence over the next decade.
During his second prison sentence in that dark period, Joel rediscovered his faith through the help of a visiting priest and confession. For the first time in years, he prayed for help to turn his life around, promising to dedicate his life to God if he found a way out of the 30-year sentence he was facing.
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In what he believed was divine intervention, all charges against him were dropped in the following court hearings, and his case was dismissed. “I left prison and began attending Mass again because God answered my prayer,” Joel said. Over the next year, he prayed regularly and experienced another miracle as God helped him overcome his addictions with ease.
Radio romance
Veronica grew up in a traditionally Catholic family in Monterrey, Mexico. While visiting a cousin in Fort Worth, she heard her name in connection with Joel’s during a song dedication on the radio. Assuming it was a joke, she dedicated a song to Joel in return.
For two weeks, they played the radio game, until finally, the radio host gave Veronica’s number to Joel. That night, Joel prayed to God for a wife.
“I had prayed for God to help me with my drug addiction, alcoholism, my rage and resentment, but I’d yet to pray for help with women,” he said.
Once they connected, they had long phone conversations. They met face-to-face for the first time about a month later. Veronica described it as “love at first sight,” saying she immediately felt a deep connection unlike with any previous boyfriends.
They met in October 1998 and married in Monterrey in October 1999 at her childhood parish.
Called to an active faith
In the next four years, the Plasencia family grew by three. As they raised their daughters, Joel nurtured his family’s faith, affirming, “I had not forgotten my promise; my life was God’s.”
Never missing Sunday Mass, he walked his family to St. George when then-pastor Father Thu Nguyen called out, “Hey you! What are you doing? Your tattoos! What’s that?” Startled, Joel explained his tattoos symbolized past hardships. Fr. Nguyen responded, “Oh, you believe in God? Your faith is strong? You are going to work with teens and share your story.”
The encounter sparked Joel’s work with Life Teen ministry at St. George.
Power of prayer
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As Joel became more involved in the church, Veronica began to resent Joel for spending so much time away from home.
“He would come back tired from Life Teen, and I was angry that he couldn’t spend time with us,” Veronica said. One day, overwhelmed with frustration, she recalled Joel taking her hands and saying, “My love, please, let’s pray.”
Initially resistant, she eventually joined him in praying the Lord’s Prayer.
“As we prayed, I felt a release of something dark and heavy, and by the end, peace filled me,” she said. This experience renewed their commitment to God and to each other, and they learned to take their anger and resentment to prayer and confession.
With their faith and commitment strengthened, the couple welcomed two more children in the following years.
The secret to an enduring marriage
The Plasencias enjoy seeing older couples at Mass, and Joel often seeks their advice on marriage.
“I ask them, ‘What is your secret?’ and many say, ‘Divorce is not an option,’” he recalled. The Plasencias credit this wisdom as essential for navigating life’s ups and downs, knowing their marriage involves not just two but three: “God has always been there; I don’t know how we would’ve managed otherwise,” Veronica said.
Celebrating 25 years
As their Silver Anniversary approached, Joel and Veronica considered a small renewal ceremony and Mass with their five children and close family. Instead, they drove to the hospital to be with their eldest daughter, who gave birth to their first granddaughter the morning after their anniversary.
“The gift we received for our 25th anniversary was our granddaughter,” Joel said.
Schooled in Faith
All five of the Plasencia’s children attended St. George Catholic School for primary education, but the couple agrees it is equally important for children to see their parents keeping the faith.
“We can provide our kids with all the education on the faith as we’d like,” Joel observed. “But if the parents aren’t living a life of faith — it’s like the parable of when Jesus scattering the seeds. … the message won’t last for long.”
In addition to working in Life Teen ministry, the couple participates in Parent Life ministry, where parents learn about faith at the same time their children do. This involvement has helped Joel and Veronica find a community of like-minded adults who share their values and love for God.