Born in Meaux into a wealthy family, Céline renounced a noble marriage after meeting Saint Genevieve. Miraculously protected from her fiancé's vengeance by the spontaneous opening of a chapel, she dedicated herself to God. She lived a life of austerity under the guidance of Genevieve until her death around 530.
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SAINT CÉLINE OF MEAUX, VIRGIN (c. 530).
Youth and Betrothal
Born into a noble family of Meaux, Celine grew up in piety before being promised in marriage despite her nascent religious vocation.
The city of Meaux saw the birth of the virgin vierge Céline Consecrated virgin of the 6th century and patron saint of the city of Meaux. Celine, whose name expresses life, which was entirely heavenly. Her parents were distinguished by their birth and their fortune, and even more by their attachment to religion; thus their daughter was raised in the practice of Christian virtues. Celine, anticipated by the graces of heaven, took advantage of the lessons and examples of her parents, and she was seen to grow in wisdom and piety, as much as in age and outward grace. She became an accomplished young person according to God and even in the eyes of the world.
But these beautiful qualities, united with wealth and birth, are too often a trap. Celine herself nearly fell into it. She was sought in marriage by a young man of noble family, a jeune homme de noble famille A nobleman to whom Céline was betrothed and who attempted to take revenge for her consecration. nd matters went as far as betrothal. The young virgin felt a repugnance within herself; she heard an inner voice calling her to nuptials other than those of the earth; but without experience and without a guide, she yielded to the will of her parents, whose feelings and views she had never known how to contradict.
Meeting with Saint Genevieve
During a visit by Saint Genevieve to Meaux, Celine confides in her her desire for consecration, receiving her support to break off her engagement.
God always comes to the aid of simple and pure souls; it happened that Saint Genevieve sainte Geneviève Patron saint of Paris, near whom Ceraunus was buried. made a journey to Meaux, where her reputation for holiness had brought her into great veneration. Celine was drawn to her by the Spirit of the Lord; she opened her heart to her; she showed her her repugnance for the state of life that they wished her to embrace; she expressed to her the desire to follow her as a companion. Genevieve consulted the Lord in prayer, and encouraged the young virgin to do the same. Their prayer was answered: the Saint knew that she should accept this new companion, and the latter found herself determined to renounce her fiancé, to give her heart to God without reserve, and to consecrate her virginity to Jesus Christ.
The miracle of the baptistery
To escape the vengeance of her spurned fiancé, Céline and Genevieve benefit from a miraculous opening of the doors of a chapel.
However, the young lord to jeune seigneur A nobleman to whom Céline was betrothed and who attempted to take revenge for her consecration. whom she had been promised had no sooner received word of this determination than he resolved to take revenge. Our two virgins, warned in time, decided to withdraw to the church. But the church could be invaded, and they could be dragged from it. God, who was the author of the change wrought in Céline's heart, came to their aid. The door of the baptistery chapel opened of its own accord, the two fugitives were able to enter, and thus found themselves sheltered from all peril.
Religious life and death
Céline takes the veil under the guidance of Geneviève and leads a life of austerity until her death around the year 530.
Looking upon herself as saved from a shipwreck, Céline, full of gratitude, thought only of dedicating herself entirely to the Lord, who had so visibly protected her. She asked to imitate Ge neviève, Geneviève Patron saint of Paris, near whom Ceraunus was buried. to take the habit and the veil of virgins, and to live under her guidance, walking in the paths of perfection. Geneviève granted her everything she wished. From that moment on, Céline lived a life of austerity and penance, until the day when heaven wished to call her to the joys reserved for chaste and pure souls: which occurred on October 2, around the year 530.
Cult and Posterity
Patron saint of Meaux, her relics are today divided between the cathedral and the Saint-Nicolas church following the destruction of her abbey during the Revolution.
She died in Meaux, which adopted her as its patron saint, and was buried in the suburb that once bore her name and is today called the Saint-Nicolas suburb. Over her tomb once stood a church, first abbatial, then prioral and parochial, which was destroyed during the Revolution. The relics of Saint Céline are preserved to sainte Céline Consecrated virgin of the 6th century and patron saint of the city of Meaux. day partly in the cathedral and partly in the Saint- cathédrale Location where a portion of the saint's relics are preserved. Nicolas and Sainte-Céline church where, every year, the people come to venerate them.
Sources
The sources mentioned include the works of Abbé Chapin, the Proper of Meaux, and the Acta Sanctorum.
Life of Saint Céline, by Abbé Chapin; Proper of Meaux; Acta Sanctorum Acta Sanctorum Monumental hagiographic collection by the Bollandists. .
Annexes & related entities
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