Sigolena of Albi
French deaconess and saint
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Saint Sigolena of Albi (fl. 7-8th. c.) was an Albigensian[a][3] deaconess[4] and saint from Albi, France.
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Saint Sigolena of Albi | |
|---|---|
Statue of St Sigolena the Deaconess (upper) on the South Portal of Albi Cathedral | |
| Abbess of Troclar, Deaconess | |
| Born | 7th or 8th century |
| Died | 769[1] Monastery of Troclar, France[2] |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Albi Cathedral |
| Feast | 24 July |
| Attributes | Crosier |
| Patronage | Albi, France |
Sigolena was born into a noble family of Aquitaine.[5]
Upon her marriage to Gislulf at the age of 12,[6] she offered her husband all of her possessions to "gain the freedom of her body". Her husband granted her desire for a Josephite marriage and encouraged her piety and charity. After ten years of marriage her husband died unexpectedly.[6] At age 24, she had difficulties convincing her parents she did not wish to remarry. After being consecrated by the city's bishop as a deaconess, she was eventually able to persuade her father to build her a convent on his own land.[4]
She was initially buried at Insula.[6]
Her church in Metz was situated near that of Saint Ferreolus of Besançon.[7] Sigolena's biography was written by an anonymous author.[8]
Miracles
During her life on earth, the miracles attributed to her include the cleansing of 2 lepers, the healing of 3 blind people (including a priest), and at least 9 exorcisms. Upon her death, when the nuns removed her garments to wash her body, they reported that "a wonderful odour suddenly became sprinkled around that same place".[6]
Veneration
The relics of St Sigolena are in Albi Cathedral.[9]
Notes
- In this period, an Albigensian refers solely to one from the city of Albi. The heresy of Albigensianism would not arise until the 12th century.