Odilia of Cologne
Encyclopedia
Saint Odilia is a saint venerated in the Roman Catholic Church
, although according to the current liturgical calendar her feastday (18 July) is not officially commemorated. She is a patroness of good eyesight.
Legend has few details about her. She is said to have lived in the 4th century and to have been the daughter of a ruler ("king") in Britain
. Together with a group of other young women ("virgins") that included St Ursula she was travelling in Germany
, according to one account because they were on a pilgrimage
to Rome
, another claims that they were looking for a place to settle and quietly practise their faith. However, "barbarians" (huns
according to the legend about St Ursula) intercepted them at the gates of Cologne
and martyr
ed them.
In 1287 Odilia appeared to a brother of the Crosier Order
in Paris; and in response to her request her relics were traced in Cologne and moved to their motherhouse
at Huy
in Belgium. Along the way to Huy various cures of blindness and other infirmities happened.
Some of her relics are now in her shrine
in Onamia
, Minnesota
.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, although according to the current liturgical calendar her feastday (18 July) is not officially commemorated. She is a patroness of good eyesight.
Legend has few details about her. She is said to have lived in the 4th century and to have been the daughter of a ruler ("king") in Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. Together with a group of other young women ("virgins") that included St Ursula she was travelling in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, according to one account because they were on a pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, another claims that they were looking for a place to settle and quietly practise their faith. However, "barbarians" (huns
Huns
The Huns were a group of nomadic people who, appearing from east of the Volga River, migrated into Europe c. AD 370 and established the vast Hunnic Empire there. Since de Guignes linked them with the Xiongnu, who had been northern neighbours of China 300 years prior to the emergence of the Huns,...
according to the legend about St Ursula) intercepted them at the gates of Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
and martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
ed them.
In 1287 Odilia appeared to a brother of the Crosier Order
Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross
The Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, commonly called Crosiers, are a Roman Catholic religious order.-History:According to their own tradition, the Crosiers were founded by five men attached to the household of the prince-bishop of Liege, Radulf von Zähringen, who accompanied the...
in Paris; and in response to her request her relics were traced in Cologne and moved to their motherhouse
Motherhouse
The term motherhouse is used by religious Orders and religious congregations to designate the principal house or community for that group. It can be either for the entire institute or for a region....
at Huy
Huy
Huy is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. Huy lies along the river Meuse, at the mouth of the small river Hoyoux. It is in the sillon industriel, the former industrial backbone of Wallonia, home to about two-thirds of the Walloon population...
in Belgium. Along the way to Huy various cures of blindness and other infirmities happened.
Some of her relics are now in her shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
in Onamia
Onamia, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 847 people, 318 households, and 171 families residing in the city. The population density was 938.3 people per square mile . There were 355 housing units at an average density of 393.3 per square mile...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.