For some Saints, we have a lot of documentation of their lives and almost too much information to digest. For others, we have little more than pious legend. Our Saint for today is of the second type, although I find that her story rings more of truth than some others that I have read.
St. Casilda is believed to have lived sometime in the ninth or tenth century - the exact dates are not known. According to her legend, she was the daughter of a Muslim king of Toledo Spain. She showed great compassion for Christian prisoners by sneaking bread into the prison, hidden in her clothes, to feed them. When on one occasion she was stopped by her father and his soldiers and was asked to reveal what she was carrying in her skirt, the bread turned into a bouquet of roses.
Although Casilda was raised Muslim, when she became ill she traveled to partake of the healing waters of the shrine of San Vincente. When she was cured, she converted and received baptism. She chose to live a life of solitude and penance not far from the miraculous spring where she was healed. It is said that she lived to be 100 years old.
St. Casilda's feast day is April 9. She is pictured in art with roses in her skirt or in a basket.
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