Onenne

Onenne is a local Breton saint whose cult exists only at Tréhorenteuc in Brittany. The church of the commune partly bears her name. She is said to have lived in the 7th century, but her first written mention dates from the 11th century.

Her story, set down between the 18th and 20th centuries, presents her as the youngest of the sisters of Saint Judicael. She vows poverty and leads a humble and pious life as a goose keeper. She receives favors from the Mother of God and escapes an attempt at violence thanks to the protection of the birds, which is why geese and ducks have remained tied to her name. She is not known for miracles but for the humility of her life, and in the 19th century many pilgrims came to Tréhorenteuc. Her name is also written Onenna, Onenn, Onène or Ouenne. Some scholars see in her a Christianized Celtic figure.

She was at first celebrated twice a year, on 30 April and 1 October. Since 2018 a procession between the church and the fountain of Saint Onenne, led by geese, has resumed on 29 September. The sources are late and partly legendary, so her life remains uncertain.