Order of Carmelites

Memorial of St. Opportuna

Today, April 22, is the memorial of Saint Opportuna.

What is certain is that Opportuna was born in a castle in Normandy, France. Her family tree had saints. She was the sister of St. Chrodegang and the niece of St. Lanthilda.

Opportuna was a virtuous Benedictine nun and abbess who received the veil from her own brother. It is said that a peasant came to her convent and stole the donkey. When the peasant was caught, he denied stealing the poor animal. When Opportuna surrendered this matter to God, the following day the peasant’s farm was sown with salt. The peasant then gave back the donkey—and also the entire field to the nuns.

She died in 770 after a short illness. Her dwindling health was also due to her intense grief of losing her brother.