Áurea of San Millán facts for kids

Aurea or Oria (meaning "golden" in Latin) was a Spanish saint who lived from 1043 to 1070. She was an anchorite, which means she lived a very quiet and solitary religious life. She was connected to the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla in La Rioja, Spain. People remember her on March 11th each year.

Aurea's Life Story

Aurea was born in 1043 in a village called Villavelayo. At that time, her home was part of Zaragoza, a region ruled by the Moors. People believe her mother was Saint Amunia.

Early Years and Learning

As a child, Aurea loved to learn. She studied holy books and the stories of early Christian heroes. A monk named Munio taught her. He later wrote down her life story. Aurea especially admired three saints: Agatha, Eulalia, and Cecilia. She tried to live her life like them.

A Life of Quiet Devotion

When Aurea was nine years old, she and her mother, Amunia, decided to live a very simple and strict religious life. They went to the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla. There, they asked the monastery's leader, called the prior, for help. This prior was Dominic, who later started his own famous monastery.

Prior Dominic decided to build a special, small room for Aurea. It was built right into the wall of the monastery church. This room, called an anchorhold, had a tiny window. Through it, Aurea could see the altar during church services. Another small window looked outside. After it was ready, Prior Dominic blessed Aurea. Then, she was sealed into her new room to live a life of prayer and quiet thought.

Visions and Miracles

Aurea spent her time thinking deeply about God. By the time she was 20, she was living in a cave. There, she had a special vision. Her three favorite saints appeared to her. They told her to keep living her chosen life with even more passion. Saint Eulalia gave her a pigeon, which became a symbol for Aurea. Eulalia told her to follow the pigeon's example in seeking God.

People believed Aurea performed many miracles. Many came to her for advice and prayers. She supported herself by sewing special clothes for the monastery. She also baked hosts for the church's Mass.

Her Final Days

Aurea did not live long after her visions. In the winter of 1070, she became very ill. She sent for her old teacher, Munio. Aurea passed away when she was 27 years old.

She was first buried in her cave, which became a place of honor for her. In 1609, most of her remains were moved to the monastery. Some were also given to the church in her hometown of Villavelayo. A special chapel was built there to honor her. She is now the patron saint of Villavelayo.

A group of people called a confraternity helps care for her shrine at the church. They also organize a yearly trip to the monastery shrine.

Remembering Aurea

Gonzalo de Berceo, who is known as the first poet to write in the Spanish language, wrote a book about Aurea's life. It is called Vida de Santa Oria.

See also

In Spanish: Áurea de San Millán para niños