medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Ann Ball wrote:
>
> I was quite surprised a couple of weeks ago when I found a relic of the
> head of Saint Librada in Monterrey, Mexico since I had believed she was
> just a myth. ( I knew about how the crucifix got mixed up with her cult in
> the middle age. ) The booklet gave a background story which does have
> its "legendary" type parts. However, it is pretty sensible overall. It
> does list her parents' names. It also says she was the first female to be
> crucified like Christ. Most of my saints books just talk about the bearded
> lady (which isn't mentioned at all in her vitae from the church). The
> relic was apparently sent there in 1901 in honor of a Latin American
> bishop's conference. I can't seem to locate her in the martyrology under
> that or any of her other names I have found. One of her sisters,
> however, is listed. Also, on the web I found that in recent years a
> relic of her was taken to Panama to replace one that had burned in a
> fire. I confirmed this.
>
> I am interested in writing a brief article about this. Can anyone suggest
> why she was omitted from the martyrology and yet one of the sisters
> was included?
I suppose "pretty sensible" depends on how plausible you think nonuplets
are! It sounds as if some of the totally fictitious elements are still
inextricably entwined. It is St Wilgefortis who was bearded and crucified.
She is known in Spanish as Santa Librada, whereas "this" St Liberata is one
of the sisters of St Marina of Aguas Santas, who in turn seems to have taken
on some of the elements of St Margaret of Antioch - not to mention the
Portuguese St Quiteria.
John Briggs
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