Saint Colette
Stored in Cargo: Saint Colette
| Saint Colette | |
| Feast Day | March 06 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers, sick children, against eye trouble, and the city of Corbie |
| Birthplace | Corbie, Picardy, France |
| Death Place | Ghent, Flanders (now Belgium) |
| Cause of Death | Natural Causes |
| Primary Shrine | Church of St. Peter in Ghent, Belgium |
Saint Colette, born Nicolette Boilet, was known for her profound spiritual life and her efforts in reforming the Poor Clare convents back to their original strict observance. After losing her parents at a young age, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis and later founded the Colettine Poor Clares, a reformed branch of the Poor Clares. Her life was marked by numerous visions, including one from St. Francis of Assisi, guiding her reforms. She established seventeen convents during her lifetime, emphasizing prayer, poverty, and penance. She was canonized for her exemplary life and the miracles attributed to her.
Biography
Birth
Colette was born on January 13, 1381, in Corbie, Picardy, France.
Early Life
After her parents' death, she experienced much hardship but maintained a strong devotion to God, living as a hermit for some time.
Occupation
Before her religious life, Colette worked in domestic service but was called to a life of greater spiritual dedication.
Vocation
She became an anchoress and then a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, eventually founding the Colettine Poor Clares, dedicated to a stricter observance of the Rule of St. Clare.
Death
Saint Colette died on March 6, 1447, in Ghent, Flanders, now Belgium, from natural causes after a life of severe austerity and devotion.
Significant events
- Received visions from saints and divine guidance to reform the Poor Clares.
- Founded the Colettine Poor Clares, establishing 17 convents across France, Flanders, and Burgundy.
- Advised and influenced notable figures like the Duke of Burgundy and King Charles VII of France.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
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Death
Colette passed away peacefully in Ghent, concluding a life dedicated to reform and spiritual rigor.
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize her as a Servant of God began in the 17th century with the investigation of her life and miracles.
Venerable
Declared Venerable for her life of heroic virtue, though exact dates are not well-documented.
Beatification
Beatified on January 23, 1740, by Pope Clement XII, acknowledging her life and the miracles attributed to her intercession.
Canonization
Canonized on May 24, 1807, by Pope Pius VII, after further miracles were confirmed.
Miracles
Miracles attributed to Colette were central to her canonization, though specific details are less documented:
Miracle for beatification
Not specifically documented, but miracles were part of the recognition process.
Miracle for canonization
Not specifically documented, but again, her canonization included the affirmation of miracles.
Other notable miracles
- Known for miraculous healings, particularly of eye ailments and infertility.
Patronage
Saint Colette is the patron saint of women seeking to conceive, expectant mothers, sick children, against eye trouble, and the city of Corbie.
Feast day
Saint Colette's feast day is celebrated on March 6.
Veneration
She is venerated through the practices and prayers associated with the Colettine Poor Clares. Her relics are honored in Ghent, where she died, and she remains an important figure for those seeking fertility or dealing with ocular diseases.
Books
Written about the saint
- [The Life of Saint Colette by M. C. T. M. de Blémur - 1875]
Written by the saint
No known writings by Saint Colette exist.