Saint Marcella of Auvergne
Virgin of Auvergne
Born in Chauriat at the end of the 9th century, Marcelle was a shepherdess who caused a miraculous spring to gush forth while praying for the end of a fever epidemic. She then dedicated herself to a life of solitude and prayer. Her relics are preserved in Chauriat, where a church was already dedicated to her in 976.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT MARCELLE, VIRGIN OF AUVERGNE (10th century).
Youth and vocation
Marcelle was born in Chauriat in the 9th century into a family of farmers and led a simple life as a shepherdess.
The precise time of Saint Marcelle's birth and death is unkn own; but it is sainte Marcelle Virgin and possible martyr of the 9th century from Chauriat. known that she was born in Chauri at, in t Chauriat Birthplace and place of veneration of the saint in Auvergne. he former archpriestship of Bil lom, t Billom Former archpriestship on which Chauriat depended. owards the end of the 9th century. Her parents were farmers, and it was to her that they entrusted the care of their flocks. One day, while spinning her distaff, she was grazing her goats on the slope of a hill located near the place where her parents lived, and she fell asleep while murmuring the final words of a prayer she had addressed to the Blessed Virg in, to implor Sainte Vierge Mother of Jesus, who appeared to Bertrand. e her to keep away from all those who were dear to her the ravages of a pernicious fever that was then devastating the region.
The miracle of the spring
While she is praying for the end of an epidemic, a miraculous spring gushes from a rock at the spot where her spindle fell.
During her sleep, the spindle she was holding in her hand slipped from her and stopped in one of the fissures of the rock upon which she was resting; having retrieved it upon waking, she saw, with astonishment, a spring of living water gush forth at that very instant from this fissure, which, subsequently, had the virtue of curing those who were afflicted with fever.
Ascetic life and consecration
Inspired by this miracle, she withdrew from the world to live in solitude and prayer, consecrating her virginity to God.
This miracle, wrought by her prayer, inspired the young Virgin with the idea of consecrating herself entirely to the service of God; she therefore separated herself completely from the world to live in solitude, where she occupied herself with orisons and imposed upon herself all sorts of privations, wishing, according to the expression of an ancient chronicler, to make of her body a reliquary of virginity; it is for this reason that the Church honors her as a Virgin, and it is thought, although history teaches us nothing certain in this regard, that she was martyred.
Cult and historical legacy
Her cult is attested as early as 976 by the mention of a church in her name; her relics are still preserved in Chauriat.
In the foundation charter of the Benedictine monastery of Chauriat, drawn up in the month of December of the year 976, mention is made of the donation of three churches dedicated to Saint Peter, to Our La dy, and to Sain sainte Marcelle Virgin and possible martyr of the 9th century from Chauriat. t Marcella, and the reliquary containing the bones of Saint Marcella, whose feast is celebrated on Easter Monday, is still preserved in the current parish church of this commune.
Saints and Saintes d'Auver Auvergne Region of the martyrdom of Saint Antolian. gne.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Chauriat at the end of the 9th century
- Tended her parents' flocks
- Miracle of the gushing spring after a prayer to the Virgin
- Retirement into solitude for a life of prayer and deprivation
- Mention of a church dedicated to her name in 976
Miracles
- Gushing of a spring of living water from a rock fissure after dropping her spindle into it
- Healing of fever through the water of this spring
Quotes
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to make of one's body a reliquary of virginity
an ancient chronicler