Odette, The Saint (1642-1657) Odette was born in Tours, France into an affluent family. At the age of 15, she was to be married to Marcel DuPaul, a wealthy merchant residing in Toulon. Odette, however, begged her father to allow her to be released from the promise of marriage, so that she could devote her life to God. Upon hearing Odette's request, Marcel flew into a rage. He had her captured while she was riding one evening. He placed her in a small dark room beneath his servants' quarters, resolved to break her spirit. Odette remained resolute, patiently waiting in this room, praying hourly for God to forgive his actions. There she remained for 10 days, without water or food, refusing to abandon her vocation. On the eleventh night, Marcel suffered a terrible nightmare, one which he was devoured by a lion and sent to a dungeon of eternal fire. Then, while languishing under the fiery gaze of Satan, Odette appeared to him and offered him a white lily. As the lily touched his hand, he felt transformed. When he awoke, he immediately went down to the place she was locked up. He held her in his arms, and begged her forgiveness. She was faint and dying. She asked that he take her out into the cool night air. He took her into the garden and she died in his arms soon after. Within days, hundreds of white lilies appeared on the spot in which she died. Miracles attributed to these lilies include the spiritual healing of criminals and the addicted. Canonized in 1704, St Odette is the patron Saint of the Damned. |