Also known as Juliana of Cornillon, St. Juliana was born in 1192 around Liege, Belgium. Her parents passed away when she was only five. She was then entrusted to the loving care of the Augustinian sisters at Mont Cornillon, along with her biological sister, Agnes. Under the instruction of the sisters, in particular Sr. Sapienza, Juliana grew in virtue and intelligence. She carefully studied St. Augustine and St. Bernard, even memorizing their works in Latin. In 1206, she joined the sisters and became an Augustinian nun. After she had taken her vows, she started to receive visions of a full moon with a shadow of a line over it. She came to understand that the moon represented the Church, and the shadow represented the lack of a feast day. Because of her humility, she kept these visions secret for 20 years, but fervently prayed and advocated for a feast to honor Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Today we know this holy feast as Corpus Christi.
Through her great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, her tender care of lepers in their infirmary, and her humble disposition, she quickly grew in popularity at the convent. In 1230, the sisters unanimously elected her the superioress of the convent. Three years later, though, a crooked clergyman became the general superior of the convent. Being a vicious man, he turned the other sisters against St. Juliana. She eventually left the convent of her own accord. The last years of her life were spent at a monastery in Fosses, Belgium, where she passed away in 1258. According to her biographer, she was in front of her true Love, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, when she died.
Practical Lessons
- Devote Yourself to the Blessed Sacrament: St. Juliana’s devotion to the Blessed Sacrament was born of her great love for Jesus. If we keep close to His Presence in the Holy Eucharist, we are sure to follow Him to Heaven.
- Be Humble: It is said that St. Juliana never spoke an ill word of any of her detractors, bearing her crosses patiently.
- Gods Plans Are Greater Than Ours: Though it is a painful cross to lose one’s parents at such a young age, God used Juliana’s circumstances to infuse immense graces in her, ultimately making her a great saint. We, too, must seek God’s graces during difficult times, allowing the Lord to transform us.
Prayer
Beloved St. Juliana, we ask your intercession, that we grow in love and relationship with Jesus through His greatest gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist. Help us to believe more fully and love more deeply His Presence in the Eucharist with every encounter. Amen.
