Ulphia

Saint Ulphia

Statue of Ulphia at Amiens Cathedral.
Died 8th century
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Feast January 31
Attributes depicted as a young nun seated in prayer on a rock with a frog in the pool near her

Ulphia (Ulphe, Olfe, Wulfe, Wolfia, Wulfia) of Amiens (d. 8th century) is a saint of the Catholic Church, venerated particularly at Amiens. She was said to be a young girl living on the banks of the Noye who became a hermit at Saint-Acheul, near Amiens, under the spiritual direction of Saint Domitius (Domice). At the end of her life, she formed and directed a community of religious women at Amiens. Her feast day is January 31.

Legend states that Ulphe placed the frogs in the area around her hermitage (which was built in a swampy area) under interdict as a result of their loud croaking, which kept her awake at nights. Thus, in her iconography, she is depicted as a young nun seated in prayer on a rock with a frog in the pool near her.

A 19th century hagiographer noted that the frogs in the area around the oratory of Saint Ulphe were, indeed, very quiet. However, if these frogs were taken elsewhere, they became boisterous once again.[1]

A statue of Ulphia stands in the portal of Amiens Cathedral [2] and a painting of Ulphia with Saint Domitius by the 19th century painter Jean de Franqueville, hangs inside the cathedral.

Notes

  1. ↑ footnotes
  2. ↑ Les saints amiénois sainte Ulphe, saint Acheul et saint Honoré (80)
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