ST IRENE OF TOMAR, MARTYR

ST IRENE OF TOMAR, MARTYR - 20 OCTOBER

SAINT IRENE OF TOMAR, MARTYR

Saint Irene of Tomar lived in the eighth century at Villa de Toma, Portugal. Her parents Hermigius and Eugenia requested Selius, Abbot of a neighbouring monastery, who was a brother of Eugenia, to give her in charge of a religious that she might be instructed in the Christian doctrine and also learn to read and write.

Selius received Irene joyfully and placed her in a house not far from his monastery, where two of his sisters and some other ladies lived. Irene became a model of virtue and piety. She already at that time resolved to enter a convent, and bestowed all her care on preserving her innocence and chastity without spot, so that she might make a worthy sacrifice of it to the Almighty.

Britaldus, a noble youth, who one day saw her, became inflamed with passion towards her. The chaste virgin told him she belonged to God alone.

Britaldus became so enraged that he resolved to kill her, and hired one of his servants to commit the bloody deed.

The assassin hired by Britaldus, having observed that she left the house at a certain hour for the woods to pray near the river Naban at a quiet and undisturbed spot, followed her one day and thrust his dagger into her heart, and threw her dead body into the river.

Selius, the pious Abbot, on becoming aware of all the reports which were afloat, prayed to God that He would make known the truth. His prayer was heard; heaven revealed to him all that had passed, and where to find the holy body of the murdered virgin.

When Selius and his holy companions had reached the spot where the Naban empties itself into another river, they saw a magnificent coffin, in which lay the body of the chaste Irene still stained with blood. Without doubt the Angels had prepared the coffin and placed the virgin in it.

Britaldus later repented, confessed, and went to Rome and did penance until the end of his days.

From Fr Weninger's Lives of the Saints

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Irene may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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.

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