Description
St Attracta Healing oil (Virgin)
St Attracta Healing Oil in Latin sources Attracta is the patron saint of the parish of Locha Techet and Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo, Ireland. She was a sister of Bishop Conal of Drumconnell. Her feast day is 11 August.
A native of County Sligo. Attracta resolved to devote herself to God but opposed by her parents. Fled to south Connacht and made her first foundation at Drum, County Roscommon. Where her brother Conal had established a church. The place came to be called Drumconnell. From there she removed to Greagraighe or Coolavin, County Sligo.
Her legend states that she took her vows as a nun under Saint Patrick at Coolavin. She then moved to Lough Gara. Where she founded a hostel for travelers at a place now called Killaraght in her honour. The hostel survived until 1539. She is known for her charity and the hospitality extended to travelers and the homeless.
She lived in the sixth century and associated with Conainne. Local tradition remembers her great healing powers. Her convents were famous for hospitality and charity to the poor.
A local well named after her. As is the new secondary school in Tubbercurry and the parish’s second church in Kilmactigue. St. Attracta’s Senior School, Dublin named after her. In September 2019, Aer Lingus took delivery of Airbus A321LR registration EI-LRB and named it Saint Attracta.
She traditionally listed as a daughter of a noble Irish family. Her father opposed her religious vocation but Attracta went to St. Patrick at Coolavin, Ireland, and made her vows to him. Attracta founded a hospice on Lough Gara called Killaraght. She also performed miracles, while living at Drum, near Boyle.
