ST AEMILIAN OF COGOLLA

ST AEMILIAN OF COGOLLA - 12 NOVEMBER

SAINT AEMILIAN OF COGOLLA, PRIEST

Saint Aemilian of Cogolla (Aemilianus Cucullatus) was born in Arragonia to poor parents and tended the flocks in his youth. Once, when he was going to rest, he had an inspiration in his sleep to leave the world and to strive for higher things.

In his 20th year he gave himself over to the leadership of the holy hermit Felix who stayed at Bilibin near Najara. Well instructed in the ways of perfection, he returned to his birthplace in Arragonia, where the many visits of his acquaintances induced him to retreat to the Disterzian mountains that stretched as far as the land of the Catabians.

HE WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST

In this seclusion he devoted himself to the strictest penances, but was torn from them when the Bishop of Tarragona ordained him a priest and required him to take over the pastoral care of Vergege (Vergegium).

Some enemies, however, which he had drawn to himself through his zeal, forced him away from his position, whereupon he returned to his solitude and there died at the old age of almost 100 years around the year 574.

HE DIED AT AN OLD AGE

He was buried in the chapel of his hermitage. The miraculous gift with which God distinguished him gave his name the honour it deserved.

About fifty years after his death, a monastery was built at the place where his chapel or hermitage stood.

Around the middle of the 11th century his relics were moved to the valley where the hospital for the religious was located, and a second monastery was built there, where the body of the saint is still kept. This monastery currently belongs to the diocese of Calahorra in Old Castile, three miles from the city of Najara.

HE DID INDEED LIVE ACCORDING TO THE RULE OF ST BENEDICT

That he did indeed live according to the Rule of St Benedict rather than having followed another monastic rule is evident from a certain Gothic funerary inscription that came down to us. Many also consider him to be the first Benedictine to settle in Spain. His memory is celebrated in the monastery of St Milian (i.e. St. Aemilian) della Cogolla in Spain and he is venerated as an abbot by the Benedictines. Finally his name appears in the Roman Martyrology, where it is noted that the holy Archbishop Braulo of Saragossa described his wonderful life.

Source: Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, 1858

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Aemilian may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

WELCOME

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