A noblewoman from Germania who vowed her virginity to God, Saturnine fled to Sains-lez-Marquion to escape an arranged marriage. Discovered by her suitor while living in hiding among shepherds, she was murdered by him. She is invoked for the protection of herds.
Guided reading
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SAINT SATURNINE, VIRGIN, MARTYR.
Sources and historical context
The author Balderic mentions an ancient monastery at Sains-lez-Marquion, erected in memory of Saturnine and likely destroyed by the Normans.
In the twelfth chapter of the second book of his chronicle of Cambrai and Arras, Balderic speaks of a monastery raised at Sains-lez-Marquion, but which no longer existed in his time. It is probable that it was destroyed, like many others, during the invasions of the Normans. This monastery had been built in memory of the virg in Saturn Saturnine Saint and martyr of Toulouse cited for comparison. ine, who was martyred in this village. Here is how this author, relying on local traditions, reports this fact.
Youth and vow of virginity
Born in Germania, Saturnine fled her family to escape a forced marriage and protect her vow of virginity.
Saint Saturnine, Sainte Saturnine Saint and martyr of Toulouse cited for comparison. he says, born in Germani Germanie Birthplace of the saint. a to a noble family, had promised to God to consecrate her virginity to Him. Without regard for this promise, her parents wished to give her in marriage to a powerful lord who had asked for her hand. The young girl, seeing that she could neither resist the determination of her parents nor avoid the pursuit of the one who sought her, resolved to leave her father's house.
Martyrdom at Sains-lez-Marquion
Hidden as a shepherdess, she is found by her suitor who murders her with his own hands after her refusal to yield.
After wandering for a long time, she arrived at the village called Sains-lez-Marquion, where she tried to hide among the herdsmen: it was there that the young lord to whom she was betrothed discovered her. Despite his entreaties, Saint Saturnine always resisted his desires until, in a fit of fury, he put her to death with his own hands. The body of the Christian virgin was placed in the monastery that was built shortly after in that place.
Relics and popular devotion
A portion of her relics was taken by Saxons. She is invoked for the protection of livestock and celebrated on May 20.
According to an ancient tradition, continues Balderic, a troop of Saxons, passing through Sains-lez-Marquion one day and hearing of this Saint, allegedly carried off a portion of her relics. There now remain, adds Raïssius, only two sma Raïssius Hagiographer cited for the location of relics. ll bones: it is unknown where the rest is hidden. Sainte Saturnine is usually represented with a distaff in her hand and tending a flock. Country folk invoke her in particular for the preservation of livestock. It is especially on May 20, the day of her feast, that they come to Sains-lez-Marquion to implore her protection.
Hagiographic mentions
Although absent from certain major collections, she appears in the Roman Martyrology on June 4.
Nothing is found on this Saint in the Bollandists, nor in the Acts of the Saints of Belgium, nor even in Unianus. The Roman Mart yrology neverthele martyrologe romain Official catalogue of the saints of the Catholic Church. ss mentions her on the 4th of the month of June. — We have borrowed the preceding from the Saints of Cambrai and Arras, by Abbé Destombes.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Germania to a noble family
- Vow of virginity
- Fled her father's house to avoid a forced marriage
- Refuge in Sains-lez-Marquion among the herdsmen
- Murdered by the spurned lord