Saint Tigre of Maurienne

Biography

Saint Tigre of Maurienne, also known as Tecla, Thecla, Thècle, Tigride, or Tigris, was a laywoman born in Valloires, Maurienne, Gaul (modern France) in the late 6th or early 7th century. She developed a deep devotion to Saint John the Baptist and vowed to obtain a relic of his body and bring it back to her city. Driven by her unwavering faith and determination, Tigre embarked on a pilgrimage to a shrine believed to house the relics of Saint John the Baptist. The exact location of this shrine remains uncertain, with various accounts suggesting it could be Sebaste or Alexandria in Egypt, or somewhere in the Holy Lands. However, upon reaching the shrine, Tigre was informed that obtaining any relics was not possible. Undeterred by this setback, Tigre chose a different path to fulfill her quest. She decided to devote herself to a life of fasting and prayer in front of the shrine, beseeching Saint John to provide her with a relic. For three long years, Tigre persisted in her vigils, showing a steadfast commitment to her goal. It was during this arduous period of prayer and fasting that a miraculous event unfolded. Suddenly, a shining thumb appeared above the altar. Recognizing this as a divine sign from Saint John the Baptist, Tigre carefully placed the thumb in a small, golden reliquary. With the relic in her possession, she returned to her city, where she entrusted it to the care of the local cathedral, now known as Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. In a display of utmost devotion and selflessness, Tigre divested herself of her remaining possessions and chose to live as a hermit for the rest of her life. She withdrew from worldly affairs and only interacted with others when attending Mass. By embracing a life of solitude and contemplation, Tigre sought to deepen her connection with God and draw closer to the example set by Saint John the Baptist. The story of Tigre's unwavering perseverance in obtaining the relic of Saint John the Baptist was later recounted by Saint Gregory the Great. He saw her story as an exemplary demonstration of the persistence described in Luke 11:8 – "I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence." Saint Tigre of Maurienne's feast day is celebrated on June 25th, immediately following the Solemnity of the birth of Saint John the Baptist. Although she has not been officially recognized as a patron saint or assigned specific representations, Tigre's story serves as an inspiration for those who seek to overcome obstacles through unwavering faith and persistence in prayer. While Tigre's canonization occurred before the establishment of the formal Congregation for the Causes of Saints, her veneration continues to inspire devout Catholics to this day.