saint wilgefortis
Vilgeforte (Portuguese), Uncumber (English), Ontkommer (Dutch), Kümmernis (German), Frasobliwa (Polish), Liberata (Italian), Librada (Spanish), Débarras (French)
Feast day: July 20 (unofficial)
Das Bild der Kümmernis (1513) in der Egidienkirche in Erlangen-Eltersdorf. Wikimedia Commons.
Patron of: Relief from tribulations, women who wish to be unencumbered by abusive husbands, facial hair.
Venerated: Northern England, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal Galicia, Bavaria, Austria, France, Belgium, Argentina, Panama, Italy
The Legend of St. Wilgefortis
Wilgefortis was a young Portuguese (or Galician) noblewoman whose pagan father had promised her in marriage to a Moorish nobleman. To avoid the marriage, Wilgefortis took a holy vow of virginity. When this did not dissuade her would-be husband, Wilgefortis prayed to God to disfigure her so that the marriage would be dismissed. Go granted Wilgefortis a full beard, and the Moorish nobleman called off the wedding. Wilgefortis’ father was so enraged that he had Wilgefortis crucified.
Wilgefortis is a folk saint whose veneration arose in the 14th century. The legend of her life is set in Portugal and Galicia. There is no evidence that Wilgefortis was an existing person; she was never officially canonized by the Catholic Church, although her veneration was widespread, particularly among women.
Her name may derive from the Latin “virgo fortis” (“strong virgin”) or from the German “Hilga Vartz” (“Holy Face”). The German roots point to what modern scholars suspect is a misinterpretation of the Volto Sancto of Lucca, a representation of the crucified Christ with long hair, a crown, and a long tunic.
In England, Wilgefortis was known as St. Uncumber (to relieve of suffering). She was viewed as an intercessor in times of great tribulation, especially for women married to abusive husbands.
references
Ott, M. (1912). Wilgefortis. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved December 13, 2022 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15622a.htm
Jasper, Alison. (2005) “Theology at the Freak Show: St Uncumber and the Discourse of Liberation.” Theology & Sexuality 11:2, 43-53, DOI: 10.1177/1355835805051877