April 9th 11th century

Saint Casilda of Burgos

Daughter of the Moorish King Aldemore of Toledo, Casilda secretly aided Christian prisoners. After being miraculously cured of a hemorrhage in a lake in Burgos, she received baptism and lived as a hermit until her death in 1007.

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    SAINT CASILDA, VIRGIN IN BURGOS (1007).

    Life 01 / 03

    Charity and the miracle of the roses

    Daughter of the Moorish king Aldemore of Toledo, Casilda secretly assisted Christian prisoners; her offerings miraculously turned into roses during an inspection by her father.

    Saint Casilda Sainte Casilda Moorish princess who converted to Christianity, famous for her charity and the miracle of the roses. was the daughter of a fierce persecutor of Christians. Her father, of Moorish race, was king of Toledo, and was name d Aldemo Aldemore Moorish king of Toledo and father of Saint Casilda. re. Casilda's charity equaled the tyranny of Aldemore. To the Christians who were dying of hunger in the prisons, she brought whatever food she could obtain. Aldemore, to whom she was soon denounced, watched her, surprised her in the exercise of her charity, and, wishing to know in his anger what she was carrying, found nothing in her apron but roses. Thanks to the manifest protection of heaven, she continued on her way, and, when the Martyrs had appeased their hunger, they all thanked together the God who showered them with His kindness. Casilda urgently requested baptism, but it was difficult to satisfy her desire; heaven provided for it. Afflicted by a loss of blood deemed incurable, it was revealed to her in a dream that she would find her healing by bathing in the lake of Saint Vincent of Burgos; this p Burgos Place of the saint's healing, baptism, and burial. lace belonged to the Christians. Thus, Aldemore only yielded with difficulty to the desire expressed by his daughter to go to this place. Overcome by her prayers, he let her leave after giving her a royal retinue and recommending her to King Ferdinand I . Ferdinand recei roi Ferdinand Ier Christian king who welcomed Casilda during her journey to Burgos. ved her with honor. Casilda bathed in the lake she had seen in her dream and was healed. She received baptism and spent the rest of her days in a small house that she had built for herself in Burgos. She died holily, and the miracles that occurred at her tomb made her dear to the Spanish people. Her death occurred in 1007.

    Conversion 02 / 03

    Healing, baptism, and eremitic life

    Healed of an incurable disease at the lake of Saint Vincent in Burgos, she converted to Christianity and ended her days in solitude and prayer.

    Martyrology of Spain. Mortyrologe d'Espagne Liturgical and historical source mentioning the saint.

    Source 03 / 03

    Sources and posterity

    The memory of Saint Casilda is preserved in the Martyrology of Spain and classical hagiographic collections.

    LIVES OF THE SA VIES DES SAINTS Hagiographic collection (Volume IV). INTS. — VOLUME IV. 20

    Official source Les Petits Bollandistes, by Mgr Paul GUÉRIN, chamberlain to His Holiness Pius IX.

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    The miracles of Saint Casilda of Burgos

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    Key Events

    1. Secret aid to Christian prisoners in Toledo
    2. Miracle of the roses before her father
    3. Incurable illness (blood loss)
    4. Journey to Burgos to bathe in the lake of Saint Vincent
    5. Miraculous healing and baptism
    6. Eremitic life in a small house in Burgos