ST LEOCRITIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR - 15 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 15th of March

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SAINT LEOCRITIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR 

Saint Leocritia, (Lucretia), a virgin and martyr at Cordoba [Cordova] in Spain, was born of noble but unbelieving parents. In her earliest youth she was instructed secretly in the Christian faith by a relative named Litiosa (Elitiosa).

SHE CONFIDED IN ST EULOGIUS

She later confessed her faith publicly with courage, despite all flattery and threats. For this reason she was often cruelly beaten by her parents and tortured in various other ways. She eventually told St Eulogius and his sister Anulon of her plight and finally took refuge with them. 

THEIR PUNISHMENT FOR BEING CHRISTIANS

The parents were extremely uptight about this and made every effort to locate her. After finally being found, she was blessed by St Eulogius and duly led before the judge, who ordered for both of them to be beaten mercilessly, and then, when they remained steadfast, had St Eulogius beheaded on the 11th, and St Leocritia on the 15th of March, 859. 

A DECENT BURIAL

Her body was thrown into the Quadalquivir (Baetis). The Christians pulled out her body from the water. It had, quite miraculously, always stayed afloat on the water instead of ever sinking into its depths, and they buried it. 

THE TRANSLATION OF HER RELICS

In 883 her relics came, together with those of St Eulogius, to Oviedo. At the beginning of the 14th century a translation of the same took place. Her name is also recorded in the Roman Martyrology on March 15. 

Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy Virgin and Martyr Leocritia confessed the faith, may experience her goodness as she intercedes for us with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.