SAINT PAULA BARBATA, VIRGIN

SAINT PAULA BARBATA, VIRGIN - 20 FEBRUARY

SAINT PAULA BARBATA, VIRGIN

Also known as Paula the Bearded, this holy virgin of Avila (Abula) in Spain is quite legendary. Apparently, her parents were Christian farmers from Cardenosa. When she grew up, Paula often went to Avila to pray at the tomb of Bishop Secundus.

It so happened one day that on the way to Avila she was confronted with a severe temptation regarding her purity, and took refuge in a chapel dedicated to Saint Lawrence, where, holding the crucifix, she begged the Saviour to disfigure her face. A large beard immediately started to sprout on her face, so that from then on she was relieved of all unwanted attention and all advances.

Henceforth she led a holy life in Avila. After her death, which most probably occurred in the 4th century, she was buried next to the holy bishop Saint Secundus. A separate chapel was later built in her honour, in which her portrait with a beard could be seen, giving her the nickname Paula Barbata (Paula the Bearded) (III. 174).

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Paula 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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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