“All you need is Faith”: Sainte Foy,Furta Sacra, and Saint Mary Magdalene

Pilgrimage to female saints' shrines, such as those of Sainte Foy and Saint Mary Magdalene, has persisted for over a millennium, predating their inclusion on the Way of Saint James. These sites in Conques and Vézelay, respectively, attract pilgrims through a blend of monastic intrigue, sacred theft (furta sacra), and myth-making. While female pilgrimage to Compostela remains prominent, these shrines represent an earlier and distinct tradition of devotion, rooted in the Roman Empire but redefined during medieval Europe's peak pilgrimage era. The study highlights their enduring cultural significance despite shifting religious landscapes.

Signori, L. F. (2022). “All you need is Faith”: Sainte Foy,Furta Sacra, and Saint Mary Magdalene. Women and Pilgrimage, 61–77. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781789249392.0006