Saint Camelle
IN THE DIOCESE OF CARCASSONNE (13th century).
Virgin and Martyr
A 13th-century religious woman in the Diocese of Carcassonne, Saint Camelle threw herself into a well to escape the Albigensian heretics and preserve her virginity. Her pilgrimage, marked by a miraculous well and venerated relics, was frequented by French royalty. She is particularly invoked for the protection of newborns.
Guided reading
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SAINT CAMELLE, VIRGIN AND MARTYR,
IN THE DIOCESE OF CARCASSONNE (13th century).
Martyrdom and historical context
In the 13th century, during the crusade against the Albigensians, Camelle committed suicide by throwing herself into a well to escape the heretics and preserve her virginity.
Saint Camelle Sainte Camelle Thirteenth-century virgin and martyr who fled the Albigensians. lived during the time of the A Albigeois Group of heretics ravaging the country in the 13th century. lbigensians and resided in a monastery of virgins. When these heretics came to ravage the land, overturning churches and monasteries, Camelle, forced to flee to preserve her virginity, threw herself into a well at the moment they were about to reach her, and thus won the palm of martyrdom.
Cult and popular devotion
An ancient church houses her relics and tomb, attracting pilgrims who invoke the saint for the protection of newborns.
This well can still be seen, next to the church which was built in her honor soon after and which today displays signs of great antiquity. The relics of the Saint were placed on the altar of this church, and a passage dug underneath allows pilgrims to pass under the tomb above which is the statue representing the virgin dressed as a nun.
The pilgrimage of Saint Camelle, in the parish of the same name, was once held i n high repute, and paroisse de ce nom Site of the pilgrimage and the church dedicated to the saint. it is still frequented today. Vows are made to the Saint, mainly to obtain the birth and salvation of young children.
Royal Recognition
Queen Marie-Thérèse and the Duchess of Angoulême demonstrated their devotion through vows and precious offerings in the 17th and 19th centuries.
In 1679, the Queen of France, Marie-Thérès Marie-Thérèse Wife of Louis XIV, she made a vow to the saint in 1679. e, wife of L ouis XIV, Louis XIV King of France during the ministry of Olier. made a vow to Saint Camelle and sent the Cardinal of Douzy in her plac cardinal de Douzy Envoy of Queen Maria Theresa to the pilgrimage site. e to the pilgrimage site. In 1819, t he Duchess of Angoul duchesse d'Angoulême Daughter of Louis XVI, she performed a novena and made offerings in 1819. ême had a novena of prayers offered to Saint Camelle and sent as an offering vestments of very great value, which are still called *the Duchess's vestments*.
Location of relics and sources
Relics are preserved in Toulouse while the biographical notice is based on the research of Rev. Fr. Carles.
Some relics of Saint Camelle were preserved in Toulouse, in the f Toulouse Episcopal see of Erembert. ormer chapel of Sa inte-Catherine, in the Saint chapelle de Sainte-Catherine Location for the preservation of relics in Toulouse. -Michel district.
We owe this notice to the kindness of Rev. Fr. Carles , missionary R. P. Carles Author of the biographical notice. of Calvary, in Toulouse.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Life in community in a monastery of virgins
- Invasion of the country by the Albigensians
- Fled to preserve her virginity
- Died by throwing herself into a well to escape heretics