History
Saint Paterna Gundesíndez: Asturian-Leonese princess, mother of Bishops and mentor of saints, over a thousand years of devotion in the Ulla
Saint Paterna Gundesíndez
Infanta of the Astur-Leonese Kingdom, mother of bishops, abbess and mentor of saints
Based on the documentary research of the cause
Based on the documentary research of the cause
1. The Enigma of the Sepulcher in San Xulián de Arnois
In the 2022-2023 academic year, in San Xulián de Arnois (in A Estrada, Galicia), one of the most fascinating medieval mysteries of the region was reopened. In this parish church, there was an immemorial devotion to a figure that the locals called "Saint Paterna". However, she was not an officially canonized saint, but a figure of popular devotion prior to the institutionalization of canonizations by the Catholic Church.
The main focus of attention was an apparent stone altar crowned by a modern Baroque altarpiece. During the visit of an art historian, something unusual was noticed: the stone block contained strange wooden plugs. When one of them was removed, the truth was discovered: the altar was actually a medieval sepulcher carved in stone, concave in shape and coarse in typology.
Curiously, the interior was full of earth, just like the tomb of the Apostle James when it was rediscovered, as narrated by López Ferreiro. The openings covered with wood had a clear intention in the Middle Ages: they were made on purpose in the sepulchers of venerated people so that the faithful could insert their hand and touch the relics, or at least the earth that covered the body. This same pattern is repeated in other holy tombs of the northwestern Iberian Peninsula, such as the sepulcher of Saint Gonzalo in the Cathedral of Mondoñedo.
The main focus of attention was an apparent stone altar crowned by a modern Baroque altarpiece. During the visit of an art historian, something unusual was noticed: the stone block contained strange wooden plugs. When one of them was removed, the truth was discovered: the altar was actually a medieval sepulcher carved in stone, concave in shape and coarse in typology.
Curiously, the interior was full of earth, just like the tomb of the Apostle James when it was rediscovered, as narrated by López Ferreiro. The openings covered with wood had a clear intention in the Middle Ages: they were made on purpose in the sepulchers of venerated people so that the faithful could insert their hand and touch the relics, or at least the earth that covered the body. This same pattern is repeated in other holy tombs of the northwestern Iberian Peninsula, such as the sepulcher of Saint Gonzalo in the Cathedral of Mondoñedo.
2. The "Thebaid of the Ulla" and the lost monastery
To understand why a figure of this magnitude ended up buried in Arnois, we must go back to the Early Middle Ages and look towards Pico Sacro, the emblematic mountain that dominates the banks of the Ulla River. This place, wrapped in pre-Christian legends of dragons, mythological beings (mouros) and linked to Queen Lupa herself in the Jacobean tradition, was the epicenter of a medieval monastic flourishing.
In the Middle Ages, this area came to house up to six monasteries within a radius of just eight kilometers, becoming an authentic "Thebaid on the Ulla". Among them were those of San Sebastián on Pico Sacro, San Lourenzo da Granxa, San Tardao, San Pedro de Donas, San Xoán da Cova (destroyed by a violent flood of the river in 1571) and, on the opposite bank, the Monastery of Arnois.
«They say this church was a monastery of nuns and that one of them was this Holy Virgin Paderna, whose body was in a stone sepulcher next to the said church...»
— Jerónimo del Hoyo, Memories of the churches of the Archbishopric of Santiago (1607)
It should be clarified that Jerónimo del Hoyo calls Paterna a virgin, when she was not, because in the 17th century any nun was understood to be one, but not so in the Early Middle Ages. Furthermore, he calls her Paderna, instead of Paterna, due to the usual linguistic deformations over the centuries. That said, where the monastery of Arnois was, today disappeared, is something we do not know. However, the most likely thing is that its remains had passed into the hands of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Santiago, which since 1214 we know acquired a manor house in Arnois, giving rise to what is known today as "A Tenencia da Veiga", a farmhouse that with the confiscation passed into private hands until today.
In the Middle Ages, this area came to house up to six monasteries within a radius of just eight kilometers, becoming an authentic "Thebaid on the Ulla". Among them were those of San Sebastián on Pico Sacro, San Lourenzo da Granxa, San Tardao, San Pedro de Donas, San Xoán da Cova (destroyed by a violent flood of the river in 1571) and, on the opposite bank, the Monastery of Arnois.
«They say this church was a monastery of nuns and that one of them was this Holy Virgin Paderna, whose body was in a stone sepulcher next to the said church...»
— Jerónimo del Hoyo, Memories of the churches of the Archbishopric of Santiago (1607)
It should be clarified that Jerónimo del Hoyo calls Paterna a virgin, when she was not, because in the 17th century any nun was understood to be one, but not so in the Early Middle Ages. Furthermore, he calls her Paderna, instead of Paterna, due to the usual linguistic deformations over the centuries. That said, where the monastery of Arnois was, today disappeared, is something we do not know. However, the most likely thing is that its remains had passed into the hands of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Santiago, which since 1214 we know acquired a manor house in Arnois, giving rise to what is known today as "A Tenencia da Veiga", a farmhouse that with the confiscation passed into private hands until today.
3. Identity revealed: the Infanta of the Astur-Leonese Kingdom
Popular memory, which often preserves historical truth disguised as legend, sang in the region: «Santiña, Santa Paderna, nai de bispos e abadesa, que brilas máis cunha reina sendo tan sóio condesa». Historical documentation supports this popular verse: the woman of the sepulcher is Paterna Gundesíndez (10th century).
The records of Sobrado mention her as Infanta of the Astur-Leonese Kingdom. Daughter of Gundesindo and Senior, in her youth she married Count Hermenegildo Aloitez (of the Counts of Présaras, Curtis). Together they represented the highest Galician nobility of their time.
In the year 952, the couple founded the famous Monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes. In medieval Europe, it was common for noble couples, after having had offspring to perpetuate the lineage, in the last stage of their lives to found monasteries to retire to the spiritual world. Thus Hermenegildo would have founded Sobrado, retiring to it, while Paterna would have founded Arnois, retiring there.
The records of Sobrado mention her as Infanta of the Astur-Leonese Kingdom. Daughter of Gundesindo and Senior, in her youth she married Count Hermenegildo Aloitez (of the Counts of Présaras, Curtis). Together they represented the highest Galician nobility of their time.
In the year 952, the couple founded the famous Monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes. In medieval Europe, it was common for noble couples, after having had offspring to perpetuate the lineage, in the last stage of their lives to found monasteries to retire to the spiritual world. Thus Hermenegildo would have founded Sobrado, retiring to it, while Paterna would have founded Arnois, retiring there.
4. Mother of Bishops and Mentor of Saints
The 10th century in the Iberian Peninsula was a turbulent and heroic time. Paterna Gundesíndez lived through the euphoria of the expansion of the Christian kingdoms towards the south and the desperation of the devastating invasions, both Viking and Muslim. Her biological and spiritual legacy was crucial for the survival of Galicia:
Sisnando II: the Bishop Strategist
The most famous biological son of Paterna and Hermenegildo was Sisnando, who would become the visionary Archbishop Sisnando II. Faced with the growing Viking threat, Sisnando II made the brilliant decision to fortify the Compostela town with strong towered walls and deep moats. In the year 968, a gigantic Nordic fleet led by chieftain Gunderedo devastated Galicia. Sisnando II went out to face them in the open field at the Battle of Fornelos, where he died fighting, pierced by an arrow. However, although they lost the battle, Sisnando II's fortifications saved Compostela, because the Vikings did not have the technology to overcome them.
Saint Peter of Mezonzo and Almanzor
Paterna's influence was not limited to her blood. As a noble lady, she decided to adopt and assume the upbringing and education of the son of one of her chambermaids named Mustacia. We do not know why, perhaps Mustacia was ill, but be that as it may, that was not a usual gesture among the nobles of the time, and it shows Paterna's charitable heart. This child, educated under the religious and moral tutelage of the Infanta Paterna, would end up being the famous Saint Peter of Mezonzo.
Universally known as the composer of the hymn Salve Regina, Peter of Mezonzo was a beacon of wisdom and piety. His great trial by fire came in the year 997, when the overwhelming Muslim troops of Almanzor marched on Galicia. Faced with the imminent arrival of the invaders, Peter of Mezonzo made the brave and Christian decision to evacuate the civilian population and the relics of the Apostle James, fleeing to the dense Galician forests. Thus he saved the relics and the people. The solid spiritual formation instilled by Paterna undoubtedly shaped the mind of one of the most important saints in Galician and Spanish history.
Universally known as the composer of the hymn Salve Regina, Peter of Mezonzo was a beacon of wisdom and piety. His great trial by fire came in the year 997, when the overwhelming Muslim troops of Almanzor marched on Galicia. Faced with the imminent arrival of the invaders, Peter of Mezonzo made the brave and Christian decision to evacuate the civilian population and the relics of the Apostle James, fleeing to the dense Galician forests. Thus he saved the relics and the people. The solid spiritual formation instilled by Paterna undoubtedly shaped the mind of one of the most important saints in Galician and Spanish history.
5. Multisecular devotion
The holiness of Paterna, endorsed by her acts in life and her spiritual lineage, took deep roots. Even after the disappearance of her monastery, the local population protected her sepulcher by moving it to the parish church.
The devotion generated astonishing traditions:
The devotion generated astonishing traditions:
- The miraculous earth: Until well into the 20th century, the neighbors extracted earth from inside the sepulcher through the wooden openings. This earth was put into cloth bags that were placed under the pillow of the sick to pray for their healing or to grant them a "good death" by relieving their agony. Then the earth was returned.
- The fountain of apparitions: 350 meters from the church, a spring associated with the saint flows. Legend says that Paterna appeared there after her death.
- The Confraternity: The Diocesan Historical Archives preserve the books of the "Confraternity of Saint Paterna in Arnois", attesting to its antiquity since the Middle Ages.
The resistance of the Ulla against Napoleon
Paterna's sepulcher could not have been looted during the Napoleonic invasion because the lands of the Ulla showed fierce resistance. A few kilometers from Paterna's sepulcher, at the Battle of Ponteledesma, organized civilians managed to put to flight thousands of French soldiers armed with artillery.
The chronicles relate that up to 5,000 men from the area rose up in resistance, advancing and participating in the reconquest of Santiago, of Vigo, and even in the definitive victory of Ponte Sampaio.
The chronicles relate that up to 5,000 men from the area rose up in resistance, advancing and participating in the reconquest of Santiago, of Vigo, and even in the definitive victory of Ponte Sampaio.
6. Visions of the future: towards official recognition
In 2023, the millenary history of this Saint Paterna has reached a turning point. With the approval of the current Archbishop, a canonical process in the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela has been officially opened for the confirmation of the cult of Paterna Gundesíndez. If successfully concluded, this process would include Saint Paterna in the official liturgical calendar.
Beyond the religious, rescuing the figure of Paterna Gundesíndez allows us to illuminate the personal stories of great women of the Asturian-Galician-Leonese Middle Ages who, as founders, stateswomen, educators, Christians and saints, silently shaped the foundations of our history.
Beyond the religious, rescuing the figure of Paterna Gundesíndez allows us to illuminate the personal stories of great women of the Asturian-Galician-Leonese Middle Ages who, as founders, stateswomen, educators, Christians and saints, silently shaped the foundations of our history.