Well, we're running out of letters, folks, as we continue our A to Z romp through the bracket. Today it's Ursula vs. Verna of Zurzach, as we head back to the 4th and 3rd centuries, respectively.
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Ursula
There are different versions about the life of Ursula, depending on the source. While her tale—or legend—is simple, it may or may not be totally true. Nonetheless, her effect on society still stands.
Ursula may or may not have been born into royalty. She may or may not have been one of the eleven thousand virgins martyred together in Cologne, Germany, although there is no definitive date of her martyrdom. Oh, and it may have been eleven thousand, or it may have been eleven, virgins.
What is known is that Ursula was born in Britain between 300 and 400, give or take a few decades. Her name in Latin means “little she-bear.”
The legend surrounding Ursula claims that she was the daughter of King Dionotus of Dumnonia in southwest England. In the late fourth century, she and eleven thousand virgins sailed to meet up with her betrothed, who in the legend was the pagan governor Conan Meriadoc of Armorica.
When she landed in Gaul (France), she took off on a pilgrimage throughout Europe, heading for Rome. Joined by the pope and a bishop, the legend claims, she traveled to Cologne, which was controlled by the Huns. Ursula was expected to marry the leader of the invading Huns, who may or may not have been Attila himself. Oh, what ever happened to Conan?
Because of their faith, the virgins were beheaded, and Ursula was shot and killed with an arrow. This may or may not have happened in 383.
For someone whose history is sometimes questionable, her influence is unsurpassed. Ursula’s mark is quite evident in art, culture, and geography.
In 1493, on his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus named the Virgin Islands in honor of Ursula and her companions. In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan named Cape Virgenes after them.
The Order of Ursulines, a religious community founded in 1535, is dedicated to Ursula. She was also the inspiration for many chants by the renowned Hildegard of Bingen.
Of great significance, Caravaggio’s last painting in 1610 was The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, which is currently on display in Naples, Italy.
Churches in Spain and the Philippines conduct annual festivals to Ursula on October 21, replete with processions and colorful fashions.
Ursula is the patron saint of Cologne, archers, orphans, Rizal Province in the Philippines, the Ursuline Order of nuns, and schoolgirls. Ursula’s feast day is celebrated on October 21.
Collect for Ursula
Almighty and everlasting God, who kindled the flame of your love in the heart of your holy martyr Ursula: Grant to us, your humble servants, a like faith and power of love, that we who rejoice in her triumph may profit by her example; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Verena of Zurzach
Verena, her name meaning “good fruit,” was born to a Christian family in third century Thebes and educated by the local bishop. When her cousin Maurice joined the Theban legion of about six thousand soldiers, she accompanied him. Relatives of soldiers frequently accompanied legions to provide medical care and prepare food.
After securing a victory for Thebes, the emperor ordered the legion to worship idols. Being Coptic and worshipping the one true God, they refused. The emperor martyred the entire legion, including Verena’s cousin. Legend holds that Verena helped bury the martyred legionnaires. In her grief, and for her own safety, she fled to Switzerland.
While in Switzerland, she lived the life of an ascetic. She lived in a cave on the outskirts of town, near present-day Zurich, and became a consecrated virgin; that is, she was blessed by a bishop to live her life consecrated as a Bride of Christ, never to marry. She fasted and prayed daily. In her ministry to local community members, she began instructing people, especially young girls, on proper hygiene, medicinal herbs, personal care, and the Christian faith.
As her reputation grew, the local king became increasingly concerned about her influence. He ordered her imprisoned. During incarceration, her martyred cousin Maurice appeared to her to encourage her to remain steadfast in her faith. The governor became sick, and local Christians asked Verena to nurse him back to health. Once healed, the governor ordered Verena released from prison.
Verena again returned to her life as an ascetic, living in a cave, praying, fasting, and worshipping God. When her death came, legend holds that The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Verena, telling Verena about the peace and everlasting rest that awaited her in heaven. Incense filled the cave, and Verena died at the age of ninety-five.
In medieval Switzerland, she was one of the most venerated saints. Icons depict her holding a jug of water and a comb, symbols of her care for the poor and instruction of hygiene. Writings of the Coptic Church say of her that she met hostility with love, and her love won over the sword, and the blood of Martyrs over the arrogance of rulers.
Collect for Verena of Zurzach
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Verena to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
59 comments on “Ursula vs. Verena of Zurzach”
Near Zurich there lived one Verena
Who encouraged young girls to live cleana.
So the king had her jailed,
But that dirty trick failed:
To this day the Swiss worship hygiena.
Going for the influential woman, Verena.
Eleven thousand dead virgins or six thousand dead soldiers? What a legendary mess. I'll go with Verena for the whole hygiene and medicinal herbs thing. But it's like choosing between a cloud and a fog.
Again, it would have leveled the field if one writer (in this case the author of Verena's bio) had presented both saints.
Too many 'may or may nots' for me in Ursula's story. My vote goes to the exemplifier of 'cleanliness is next to godliness'. Verena stands in a tradition of wise women so often forgotten who quietly made and make lives better.
We nominated Verena, twice, before she finally made the Big Dance. There is a St. Verena Coptic Church near us and we became fascinated with her during the pandemic, especially because of her emphasis on hygiene. It is said that she taught Europeans to wash their hands, a really good idea!
Verena taught people how to stay healthy. Definitely a good deed!
Didn’t like either choice today.
The Ursulines were important in the Battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. As the British army marched on the city, the Ursulines gathered with laywomen and prayed all night for deliverance. It came in the morning with a rout of the invaders. Praying in French, the Ursulines had invoked the protection of Notre Dame du Prompt Secours (Our Lady of Prompt Succor), and every Jan. 8 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on the campus of Ursuline Academy, there is Mass and celebration. There is an Ursulines Street in New Orleans, named in honor of the followers of St. Ursula.
The constellation Ursa Minor (Little Bear) contains Polaris, the north star, the prime sidereal guide. St. Ursula is in the stars.
Sainte Ursule, priez pour nous.
Verena was probably is the patron saint of Infection Control Nurses in hospitals everywhere - If not, she should be.
Verena had my vote at "Writings of the Coptic Church say of her that she met hostility with love,...."
Today we need more examples of how to meet hostility.
Hopp Vreni! Switzerland is rooting for you!
Today’s matchup was a tough one. I don’t have a problem with the exaggerated numbers in early medieval legends, as that goes hand in hand with the whole legend thing. Both of these women have had significant influence down through the centuries and both demonstrated a strong commitment to their faith. As a nursing educator, I had to vote with Verena, who taught women about hygiene and medicinal remedies. However, the Ursulines have done great work and I honor them for it. The influence of both of these women has been all to the greater glory of God.
This was difficult because Ursula’s Feast Day is my birthday. So I felt kinship.
On the other hand, my friend Veronica is facing a difficult journey to recovery and Verona seems to be the choice for my friend.
Ah although I did pull the lever, my prayer is for both.
This was difficult because Ursula’s Feast Day is my birthday. So I felt kinship.
On the other hand, my friend Veronica is facing a difficult journey to recovery and Verona seems to be the choice for my friend.
Ah although I did pull the lever, my prayer is for both.
Ursuline sisters were very active in the education of girls when I was young. Go, Ursula!
I may or may not have voted.
But, I did for Verena of Zurzach.
Love conquers all.
Oy! Enough already with may-or-may-not-have-existed martyred Christian virgins! If this is what alphabetizing the Saintly Sixteen does to Lent Madness, I'm all for dropping that format in favour of matching up real people/real saints with their equals! However, since one must make a choice, I'm going with Verena who at least did something that would have led to canonization had she really existed!
I voted for Verena of Zurzach, the unknown of the two today. I had heard of the Ursulines, for the various schools; but there were too many may or may nots about Ursula for her to get my vote today. We would be well served to have more like Verena with the infectious disease issues today.
I was one who didn’t get the email yesterday. This morning, I did receive the LM email shortly after 8 a.m., the usual time.
As a resident of one of her islands, I feel I have little choice but to vote for St Ursula
Ursula.
If she's good enough for Hildegard, she's good enough for me.
Hilde and I are like this:
Are there any female saints who got to be saints despite having married and enjoyed a happy family life? Getting tired of virginity as a requirement for female sainthood.
Hallelujah, I finally got the daily email in the morning. However, now it has been ten minutes already and I’m still waiting for the “I’m not a robot” captcha to stop spinning and accept my vote. Make things too hard and people stop voting…and eventually lose interest altogether.
No surprise here. Even though much of our shared faith is intangible, Ursula's story is just too broadly mythical it's impossible to vote for her. Verena for the win.
John Cabot, thank you for the limerick today! Very clever and amusing!
Although I sometimes wish I could live in a cave (or a forest anyway), and Lent Madness educates me about unknown saints, I also play for the fun. Neva Rae Fox's "may or may not" amused me, so I am voting for Ursula.
Ursula did not seem to do much but Verena had a long if of ministering and teaching so I will go with Verena. It did not y how long Verena was imprisoned but staying in a prison was a death sentence on its own. They were not treated right as prisoners. Often lacking in food and warmth.
A reply to Carol Ann Cirbee [Hey SEC, PLEASE fix the Reply function]. I actually found the write up on Ursula absolutely wonderful and almost voted for her just on that account. With the alphabet thing this year, we have ended up with some pretty obscure saints, and I think Neva Rae Fox did a wonderful job of setting out all the unknowns but then displaying all the positive contributions of St. Ursula down through the years.
To the people carping about the choices: Lent Madness is supposed to be FUN! Don’t get so bent out of shape; geeeez.
Perpetual celibacy as the highest of virtues - do we still go there? I hope not!