Saint Pharaildis

Also known as: Vareide
Varelde
Veerle
Verylde
Memorial: 4 January
Profile: Sister of Saint Gudule. Niece of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles. After making a private vow of virginity, she was forced into marriage with a wealthy nobleman. Her husband insisted that she was married to him, and her sexual fidelity was owed to him, not God. Physically abused for her refusal to submit to him, and for her late night visits to churches. When widowed, she was still a virgin. Legend says that Pharaildis caused a well to spring up whose waters cured sick children.
Born: c.650 in Ghent, Belgium
Died: c.740 of natural causes
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Patronage: against childhood diseases
Bruay, France
difficult marriages
Ghent, Belgium
victims of abuse
widows
Additional Information: Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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