Roseline de Villeneuve facts for kids
Roseline de Villeneuve (born in 1263, died on January 17, 1329) was a French woman who became a Carthusian nun. She is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
Roseline's Life Story
Roseline was born into a wealthy family at a large house called a château in Les Arcs-sur-Argens, a town in Provence, France. Even as a child, she secretly shared food from her family's kitchen with poor people in the area. A famous story about her, similar to tales about other saints, says that when her father tried to stop her from giving food away, the food she was carrying magically turned into roses. This is known as the "Miracle of the Roses."
Roseline wanted to become a nun, but her father did not agree at first. She eventually joined the Carthusian order of nuns at a place called Bertaud in the alps mountains. This happened in 1288. Later, around 1330, she became the leader, or prioress, of another Carthusian monastery called La Celle-Robaud, which was close to her home. Her aunt, Jeanne de Villeneuve, had been the prioress before her.
Roseline's brother, Hélion de Villeneuve, who was a Grand Master of the Knights of St. John (a group of knights who helped people), helped to fix up the monastery in 1320. Even Pope John XXII, who used to be a bishop in her area, helped the monastery get more money in 1323 and 1328.
People believed Roseline had many special visions and was very devoted to her faith. She was also thought to have power over evil spirits. Before she died in 1329, at 66 years old, Roseline was allowed to step down from her role as prioress.
How Roseline is Honored
Roseline's special day, or feast day, was first celebrated on June 11. This was the day in 1334 when her brother, Elzéar de Villeneuve, who was a bishop, moved her remains to a new place. Now, her feast day is celebrated on January 17, the day she died. People who visit a Carthusian church on this day can receive a special blessing.
People in her local area have always honored Roseline. The Diocese of Fréjus officially recognized her as a saint in 1851, and the Carthusian Order did so in 1857.
When you see pictures or statues of Roseline, she is often shown with a special container called a reliquary that holds two eyes. This is because her eyes were removed after her death and kept separately as a holy relic. This relic was still in Les Arcs in 1882.
Roseline's shrine, which is a holy place, is located in Les Arcs-sur-Argens, near Draguignan. For six centuries, it has been a place where people go on pilgrimage (a special journey for religious reasons). The Roseline Chapel, near the Château Sainte Roseline, is on a private vineyard. Inside, you can see Roseline's body in a glass reliquary.
There's a legend that one day Roseline was so focused on her prayers that she forgot to make dinner for the other nuns. Angels then came down and prepared the meal for them. This story is shown in a beautiful wall mosaic by the artist Chagall at the chapel.
Roseline de Villeneuve is considered a patron saint of the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon and also of sailors.
