BL. MARY OF CERVELLO. — Born in Barcelona of a noble family on 7 Dec. 1230, died there on 19 Sept. 1290. She was also called of Cervellone, or del Socòs (= succour) because of the graces granted to her devotees; she was noted for the charity she exercised towards the sick, the oppressed, the poor and prisoners.
For thirty years she lived beside her parents practising the most beautiful virtues; after their death she donned the habit of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom for the redemption of captives. She devoted the rest of her life to exercises of piety and charity, favoured by numerous mystical gifts. Buried in the Mercedarian church at Barcelona, Peter IV of Aragon in 1380 had a costly urn carved to preserve her remains. Her cult was approved in 1692. Feast on 19 Sept.
Artists portray her holding an oar. She is invoked in dangers at sea, because while still living she was seen walking on the waves and miraculously aiding shipwrecked persons.