ST JULIA OF CORSICA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR - 23 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 23rd of May

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SAINT JULIA OF CORSICA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

(Fifth Age.) Saint Julia was a noble virgin at Carthage, who, when that city was taken by Genseric in 439, was sold for a slave to a pagan merchant of Syria. 

SHE WAS SOLD AS A SLAVE

Under the most mortifying employments of her station, by cheerfulness and patience she found, besides her sanctification, a present happiness and comfort which the world could not have afforded. 

FASTING AND PRAYER

All the time she was not employed in her master’s business was devoted to prayer and reading books of piety. She fasted very rigorously every day but Sunday; nor could all the entreaties of her master, who was charmed with her fidelity and other virtues, nor the hardships of her situation, prevail with her to be more tender of herself. 

THE BUSINESS TRIP

The merchant thought proper to carry her with him in one of his voyages to Gaul, where he imported the most valuable commodities of the Levant. Having reached the northern part of Corsica, or that point now called Capo-Corso, he cast anchor and went on shore to join the pagans of the place in an idolatrous festival kept there at that time with the sacrifice of a bull. 

Julia was left at some distance because she would not be defiled by the superstitious ceremonies, which she openly reviled. 

HE INFORMED THE GOVERNOR THAT JULIA WAS A CHRISTIAN

Felix, the governor of the island, who was a bigoted pagan, asked the merchant who this woman was who dared to insult the gods. He informed him that she was a Christian, and that all his authority over her was too weak to prevail with her to renounce her religion; but that he found her so diligent and faithful he could not part with her. The governor offered him four of his best female slaves in exchange for her. 

But the merchant, whose name was Eusebius, replied: “No: all you are worth will not purchase her; for I would freely lose the most valuable thing I have in the world rather than be deprived of her.” 

HE TRIED TO COMPEL HER TO SACRIFICE TO THE PAGAN IDOLS

However, the governor, whilst Eusebius was drunk and asleep, took upon him to compel her to sacrifice to his gods. He proffered to procure her liberty if she would comply. 

SHE REPLIED THAT SHE WAS FREE IN JESUS CHRIST

The saint made answer that she was as free as she desired to be as long as she was allowed to serve Jesus Christ; and whatever should happen, she would never purchase her liberty by so abominable a crime. 

HER MARTYRDOM

Felix thinking himself derided by her undaunted and resolute air, in a transport of rage caused her to be struck on the face, and the hair of her head to be torn off; and lastly, ordered her to be hanged on a cross till she expired. 

Certain monks of the isle of Gorgon (which is now called La Gorgona, and lies between Corsica and Leghorn) carried off her body; but in 763, Desiderius, king of Lombardy, removed her relics to Brescia, where her memory is celebrated with great devotion.   

HER DIGNITY

St Julia, whether free or a slave, whether in prosperity or in adversity, was equally fervent and devout. She adored all the sweet designs of Providence; and far from complaining, she never ceased to praise and thank God under all his holy appointments, making them always the means of her virtue and sanctification. God, by an admirable chain of events, raised her by her fidelity to the honour of the saints, and to the dignity of a virgin and martyr.

From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints