St Corona healing oil (martyr)

Description

St Corona healing oil

St Corona healing oil is dedicated to the 3rd century martyr and saint.

Saints Corona and Victor are two Christian martyrs. Victor was a Roman soldier who was tortured and killed; Corona was killed for comforting him. Corona is venerated in connection with treasure-hunting.

Their legend states that Victor was a Roman soldier of Italian ancestry. He was tortured, including having his eyes gouged out, and was beheaded. Most sources state that he and Corona were killed in Roman Syria during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Some Western sources state that Alexandria or Sicily was their place of martyrdom. They may have been martyred during the reign of Antoninus Pius, or Diocletian. The Roman Martyrology states that it was in the third century when they met their death.

Details of their martyrdom

While Victor was suffering from the tortures, the sixteen-year-old wife of another soldier, named Corona comforted and encouraged him. For this, she was arrested and interrogated. According to the passion of Corona, Corona was bound to two bent palm trees and torn apart as the trunks were released. Other sources state that Victor and Corona were husband and wife.

The Corona virus

Germany’s Aachen Cathedral has dug out the relics of little-known St Corona. She is acknowledged as patron saint of resisting epidemics. They are polishing up her elaborate shrine to go on show once the coronavirus pandemic has passed.

The pandemic, which has infected over 4 million people worldwide,  has boosted public interest in the Christian martyr She is believed to have been killed by the Romans around 1,800 years ago.

Experts are painstakingly cleaning the gold, bronze and ivory shrine.  It has been hidden from public view for the last 25 years. This is in preparation for when it can go on display.

“We have brought the shrine out a bit earlier than planned,  Now we expect more interest due to the virus,”

St Corona is believed to have been only about 16 years old when the Romans killed her. It was probably in Syria, for professing the Christian faith.

St Corona healing oil/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.