In the Cathedral of Barcelona, there are 13 geese that live happily. You may be wondering if it is quite normal that many animals and birds live on the premises of a church. This is something special because these geese are there in memory of a saint. St. Eulalia, also known as Eulalia of Barcelona, was a young Christian girl who lived during the 3rd century. She was a goose herder. So, those 13 geese are there to pay homage to her. Read the story of the tradition of 13 geese in the Cathedral.
St. Eulalia, also known as Eulàlia of Barcelona, was a young Christian girl who lived during the 3rd century (during Diocletian’s rule) in the then-Roman-controlled city of Barcino – today’s Barcelona. She has the co-patroness of the city, along with La Virgen de la Merced.
Eulalia, who herded geese in Sarrià (nowadays an upscale neighborhood near Barcelona’s west end, but then a village on the outskirts of the walled city), openly professed her Christian faith, despite the Roman authorities’ attempts to suppress Christianity in the region.
She was only 13 when she refused to renounce her faith. What is more, she ran from home and went into the walled city, looked for the governor, and demanded for the end of hostilities against Christians. The governor, instead, sentenced her to 13 tortures – one per each year she had lived as a Christian.
Eulalia endured all 13 tortures – including crucifixion on a crux decussata, á la St. Andrew. Finally, she was beheaded on 12 February 303. Legend has it that a dove flew out of her severed neck (some say out of her mouth after she said her final prayer).
After many years of missing, her mortal remains were found in 878 by Bishop Frodoino in the church of Santa Maria de las Arenas – today’s Basilica of Santa María del Mar. A solemn transfer of her relics to the cathedral was then organized, and her remains were buried in a crypt dedicated to her. Since then, 13 geese have been kept in a designated area in the cloister of the cathedral, as a homage to the young goose herder, just 13 years old and her endurances of 13 tortures.