Patron Saint Petronille

St. Petronille is believed to be the daughter of Saint Peter the Apostle. She died a martyr when going on a hunger strike because the King Flaccus wanted to marry her. St. Petronille is the patron saint of:

* Against fever
* Dauphins of France
* Mountain travelers
* Treaties between Popes and Frankish emperors

St. Petronille Feast

The feast of St. Petronille is celebrated on May 31. St. Peter's in Rome offer special celebrations on this feast day. Her remains are located in a sarcophagus made of white marble in the Chapel of St. Petronilla. On her tomb, an inscription reads, "of the golden Petronilla, the sweetest daughter".

The Pieta

In 1498, the French Cardinal Jean Bilheres de Lagraulas was looking for a way to commemorate the Jubilee Year of the Chapel of Petronilla. He planned to be buried in the chapel when he died. He went to a Florentine sculptor named Michelangelo Buonarroti and asked him to create a sculpture of the Pieta.

The Burial of St. Petronilla

The Pieta remained in the chapel for only a short time and was then moved to its present location. It was replaced with a massive painting entitled, The Raising of Petronilla. This work of art was painted by Francesco Barbieri, Guercino. The painting is twenty-five feet tall and depicts St. Peter lowering his daughter into her grave.

St. Petronille Today

Today, many Christians make pilgrimages to the Chapel of St. Petronille. They wear a St. Petronille medal or a St. Petronille charm in honor of St. Peter's daughter. This saint sacrificed her life for the love of Jesus and is honored as a Christian martyr.
The example of St. Petronille teaches Christians that they too can become part of the great communion of saint in heaven. Wearing a St. Petronille necklace is a reminder to reject sin and remain with the Lord. Some day all true believers will live in the house of God with all the angels and saints.