Saint Ave of Denain
A wealthy but blind young woman of the 4th century, Ave regained her sight at the tomb of Saint Benfroie following an angel's warning. In gratitude, she restored the Church of Saint Mary, donated her wealth to the Abbey of Denain, and became a nun there until her death.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
3 reading sections
SAINT AVE OF DENAIN, VIRGIN (4th century).
Ave's quest for healing
Ave, a wealthy but blind young woman, makes numerous pilgrimages before being guided by an angel to the tomb of Saint Benfroie.
In a very ancient martyrology of the Abbey of Denain, one finds the name of the blessed Ave, who was honored in this community. She was a young person very favored by the goods of fortune, but deprived of sight. She had already made several pilgrimages to the tombs of the Saints, so that it might please God to heal her of her infirmity, and her prayer had not yet been answered, when one day an angel warned her, it is said, to travel to the sepulcher of Saint Benfro ie and to ask f or her healing from heaven through the merits and intercession of this Virgin.
Healing and consecration
Miraculously healed, Ave consecrated her goods to the abbey, restored the church of Saint Mary, and ended her days as a nun in Denain.
The blessed Ave did so and was promptly healed. To show her gratitude to God, she gave her goods to this abbey, had the church of Saint Mary restored, where the relics of her benefactress were transported. She herself took the religious habit in this community and lived there holily near the tomb of Saint Benfroie. The blessed Ave di ed with great sentiments of piety and was buried in the church of Saint Martin. Her mem ory always remained in blessing in this place.
Source
Attribution of the text to Abbé Destombes.
Abbé Destombes.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Ave of Denain
Frequently asked questions about Saint Ave of Denain
Who was Saint Ave of Denain?
A wealthy but blind young woman of the 4th century, Ave regained her sight at the tomb of Saint Benfroie following an angel's warning. In gratitude, she restored the Church of Saint Mary, donated her wealth to the Abbey of Denain, and became a nun there until her death.
What is Saint Ave of Denain the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Ave of Denain: Denain Abbey.
What is Saint Ave of Denain invoked for?
Saint Ave of Denain is invoked for: healing of eyesight and blindness.
How is Saint Ave of Denain depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Ave of Denain is recognizable by: religious habit.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Ave of Denain?
1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Healing.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Ave of Denain?
Contemporaries include: Saint Blaise, Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Saint Basil the Great (Archbishop of Caesarea) and Saint Baudilus.
When did Saint Ave of Denain die?
Saint Ave of Denain died around 400.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Afflicted with blindness
- Unsuccessful pilgrimages to the tombs of saints
- Warning from an angel to go to the sepulcher of Saint Benfroie
- Miraculous healing of sight
- Donation of her property to the Abbey of Denain
- Restoration of Saint Mary's Church
- Taking of the religious habit