St Eulalia of Spain Healing Oil

Description

The St Eulalia of Spain healing oil is dedicated to the 3rd century martyr.

Saint Eulalia (.290–February 12, 303), co-patron saint of Barcelona, was a 13-year-old Roman Christian virgin. She was martyred in Barcelona during the persecution of Christians in the reign of emperor Diocletian.

The daughter of a noble family, Eulalia lived near the city of Barcelona. During the persecutions under Diocletian, governor Dacian arrived in the city intent on enforcing the decrees. Soon afterwards, Eulalia entered the city. She confronted the governor for his merciless persecution of Christians. Unable to dismiss her eloquent appeals, Dacian had her stripped and flagellated. He followed this with torture by multiple implements until she would deny her beliefs or die. Her wounds were burned with torches, but the flames blew back against her tormentors. She prayed that God would take her to Heaven, then died.

St Eulalia’s witness to her faith

A dove is supposed to have flown forth from her mouth following her death. After that a sudden snowstorm covered her body like a garment.

It is traditionally believed that her tortures culminated in her crucifixion on an X-shaped cross. She is depicted with this cross as the instrument of her martyrdom. However, it has been posited that she was instead publicly tortured on an X frame. her body was left there after she died.

Her body was originally interred in the church of Santa Maria de les Arenes (St. Mary of the Sands; now Santa Maria del Mar, St. Mary of the Sea). It was hidden in 713 during the Moorish invasion, and only recovered in 878. In 1339, it was relocated to an alabaster sarcophagus in the crypt of the newly built Cathedral of Santa Eulalia. The festival of Saint Eulalia is held in Barcelona for a week around her feast day on February 12.

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.

The Irish Blessings oils are dedicated to the Holy Spirit, Our Lady and the saints. The oils come through prayer. They are placed on their designated altars for a period of prayer before being sent out. The oils are of therapeutic grade.
The bottles of oils going out are accompanied with a prayer card. In addition, they are personalised for the saint to whom the oil is dedicated to.