Saint Avoye

Saint Avoye of Sicily, also known as Saint Auré or Saint Ewe, was a Christian martyr from the 3rd century, who was originally from Sicily, Italy. She died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France around 234, according to tradition. She is recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Biography The most common interpretation of her life is that Saint Avoye was born in Sicily, to her father, Quintien, who was a Sicilian pagan, and to her mother, Gérasine, a Christian, who was originally from the province of Brittany. Avoye had eight siblings, both brothers and sisters. There, Avoye discovered that Ursula had also consecrated herself to God and intended to remain a virgin.

Cult Saint Avoye's cult can be found in the church of Chapelle Sainte-Avoye de Plumeret which is in Morbihan, and also in St. Ewe, Cornwall, a village which is named after her. At the chapel in Plumeret, parents frequently bring toddlers and children with developmental delays in motor skills such as speaking and walking, so that their children can be seated in the stone boat of Avoye and blessed. This stone boat is a relic which is relayed in tradition to have carried Avoye across the ocean from France to Cornwall.

Her feast day is celebrated on 6 May, however, some sources state that Avoye's feast day is on 2 May.