April 9 Saint Casilda of Toledo (Casilda of Briviesca, Casilde of Toledo) Muslim Princess Healed of a Deadly Disease Becomes Anchoress.
April 9 Saint Casilda of Toledo (Casilda of Briviesca, Casilde of Toledo) Muslim Princess Healed of a Deadly Disease Becomes Anchoress.
950-1050
Patronage: against sterility
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While little is known about Saint Casilda, what we do know is inspirational, especially at a time when both inter and intra-religion conflicts continue to exist. The life of Saint Casilda reminds us that the Lord calls us to love of all people, and challenges us to open our hearts to those with whom we disagree or whom we do not understand. In loving these who are lost, like Casilda, they may be brought to Faith in Jesus and His Church.
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Saint Casilda was born the daughter of a Muslim king in Toledo, Spain. Raised Muslim, she embraced what was good in her faith and felt a strong desire to help others, including the many Christian prisoners detained in Spanish prisons. In her kindness, and against the orders of her father, Casilda often visited the prisoners, smuggling in food and bread for them in the folds of her dress. As holy legend recounts, on one occasion Casilda was stopped by prison guards who demanded she disclose what she was hiding in her clothing. Upon revealing the folds of her skirt, the bread she carried miraculously transformed into roses. Saint Casilda is oftentimes depicted in religious art carrying a basket or bunch of roses of this reason.
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As a young woman, Saint Casilda fell ill, likely from a hemorrhagic fever common at the time, for which there was no cure. She refused the assistance of the best Muslim physicians, and instead, traveled down the Iberian Peninsula to the Shrine of San Vicente, known for it’s healing waters and miraculous cures. There, through her faith and desire for holiness, she was cured of her illness, and subsequently baptized into Christianity.
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Saint Casilda lived the remainder of her life as an anchoress (until she reached the age of 100!) in quiet penance and solitude, contemplating the wonder of God, and praying for those on earth. She died peacefully, having served her Creator well while seeking Him as a Muslim and worshiping Him as a Catholic.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor St. Casilda of Toledo, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon her. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to her by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, St. Casilda of Toledo might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.