Oil dedicated to St Afra on prayer cloth

Description

Oil dedicated to St Afra on prayer cloth

The Oil dedicated to St Afra on prayer cloth is in honour of the martyr from the 3rd century.

Saint Afra was originally a courtesan in Augsburg, having come there from Cyprus, as the daughter of the King of Cyprus. She is reputed to either run a brothel in that town, or work as a prostitute in the Temple of Venus.

Afra’s Death

As the persecution of Christians during the reign of Eastern Roman Emperor Diocletian began, Bishop Narcissus of Girona (in Spain) arrived there and lodged with Afra and her mother, Hilaria. The bishop did not know their profession, but soon converted them. She continued to hide the bishop from the authorities, but was arrested, and condemned to be burnt to death. Her mother and her maids Ligna, Eunonia and Eutropia later suffered the same fate, for interring her in a burial vault.

To this day, her remains are kept in St. Ulrich’s and St. Afra’s Abbey, Augsburg, having first been displayed there in 1012.

Tradition of oils

The tradition of anointing with sacred oil is very old indeed. It is used in sacraments and also as a devotional practice. The sick person applies the oil and blesses themselves. As they do so, they are asked to pray to whomever the oil is dedicated to. The Irish blessings oils do not have miraculous power.  It is God who has the power to heal.  Applying the oil while praying are important ways for us to express our faith in God’s power. Moreover, by doing so we place our trust in God.