Saint Amadour
Encyclopedia
Amadour is regarded as the founder of the shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour
in France. He is believed to have been a hermit. His feast day is August 20.
In 1162, an ancient tomb containing an unidentified body was found at Rocamadour. Shortly thereafter, the legend of Amadour developed greatly. He was now described as having been a servant of Mary, the mother of Jesus
, and to have later married Saint Veronica
and become a missionary to Gaul. He was also subsequently identified as Zacchaeus
from the Gospel of Luke
.
It is considered probable that the story of Amadour is completely unfounded, and that he himself may be a wholly imaginary person. There is no factual foundation for identifying him with Saint Amator
, a bishop of Auxerre.
Rocamadour
Rocamadour is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France. It lies in the former province of Quercy.Rocamadour has attracted visitors for its setting in a gorge above a tributary of the River Dordogne, and especially for its historical monuments and its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin...
in France. He is believed to have been a hermit. His feast day is August 20.
In 1162, an ancient tomb containing an unidentified body was found at Rocamadour. Shortly thereafter, the legend of Amadour developed greatly. He was now described as having been a servant of Mary, the mother of Jesus
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, and to have later married Saint Veronica
Saint Veronica
Saint Veronica or Berenice, according to the "Acta Sanctorum" published by the Bollandists , was a pious woman of Jerusalem who, moved with pity as Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha, gave him her veil that he might wipe his forehead...
and become a missionary to Gaul. He was also subsequently identified as Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus , according to chapter 19 of the gospel of Luke, was a superintendent of customs; a chief tax-gatherer at Jericho...
from the Gospel of Luke
Gospel of Luke
The Gospel According to Luke , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Luke or simply Luke, is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels. This synoptic gospel is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details his story from the events of his birth to his Ascension.The...
.
It is considered probable that the story of Amadour is completely unfounded, and that he himself may be a wholly imaginary person. There is no factual foundation for identifying him with Saint Amator
Saint Amator
Saint Amator Amadour or Amatre was bishop of Auxerre from AD 388 until his death on May 1, 418. He is also confused with a hermit of legend whose feast day is August 20. A tradition in Autun also designates him as its first bishop, with an occupancy date of AD 250 that is intended to tie him to...
, a bishop of Auxerre.