Saint Solange of Bourges

Also known as

• Solange of Berry
• Solange of Bourges of Genevieve du Berry
• Solangia of Bourges

Memorial

• 10 May

Profile

Born to a family of poor vine dressers. Young virgin shepherdess who took a personal vow of chastity, devoting herself to God alone. When she said her prayers in the field, a star shone over her head. Reported to have the gift of healing, especially of animals. She was murdered by her landlord, Bernard, son of the Count of Poitiers, for resisting his sexual advances. Considered a martyr as she died insisting on her fidelity to Christ. Some of the early versions of her story include her carrying her severed head into a nearby village, and the head preaching to the people.

Born

• 9th century at Villemont near Bourges, France

Died

• stabbed with a hunting knife c.880 at Champ de Sainte Solange

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Patronage

• Berry, France
• Bourges, France
• children
• drought relief
• for rain
• rape victims
• shepherdesses
• shepherds

Representation

• cross
• distaff
• flowers
• girl carrying her severed head
• girl with a hunting knife in her throat
• girl with a knife in her breast
• shepherdess in prayer
• shepherdess near a crucifix
• shepherdess with a star over her head
• sheep

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Diocese of Bourges
• For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
• Kirken i Norge
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
• Wikipedia

MLA Citation

• “Saint Solange of Bourges”. Saints.SQPN.com. 13 May 2012. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-solange-of-bourges/>