Born in France around 1115, the story of Emilina d’Yèvres begins when she decided it was God’s will for her to remain a celibate laywoman and was drawn to the Cistercian Abbey of Boulancourt. She couldn’t become a monk, but with their approval, she took up residence in a barn that the abbey owned a few miles away. Emilina followed the Cistercian rule as closely as she could, even the hard labor. She wore a hair shirt, went barefoot year-round, and three days a week she would undertake a “black fast” of nothing to eat or drink. Blessed with the gifts of prophecy, Emilina was sought after for her spiritual direction because she cared fervently for people’s relationship with God. She died of natural causes in 1178.
CHALLENGE
Though St. Emilina of Boulancourt was granted many spiritual gifts, she sought neither fame, nor honor, nor compensation for using those gifts for God and her fellow man. In this way, she died as she lived: simple and austere. Saints don’t brag about their superpowers. Whatever superpower you’ve been graced with, today is the day to start working on being humble about it.
All Saints’ Day is right around the corner! The Saint Challenge restarts on All Saints’ Day, and a print copy of The Saint Challenge is a great companion for a year of challenges and a lifetime of living the faith. Buy your copy today then challenge a friend to join you!
