SAINT FIRMINA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR - 24 NOVEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 24th of November

SAINT FIRMINA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Firmina came from the ancient Roman family of the Pisones. While her father was prefect in Rome, she lived in holy solitude on the Agalianum estate not far from Amelia (Ameria) in the Papal States.

One day, however, she was renounced as a Christian and had to appear before the authorities. On this occasion, her holiness converted the Mayor Olympiades to the faith in Jesus.

When Diocletian heard of Olympiades' apostasy from idolatry, he had him murdered and put another official in his place, who then summoned St Firmina. This official tried to force her to deny her faith through the most agonizing torments. When she persisted steadfastly in her confession, he had her hung from a pillar and tormented with burning torches until she died. 

The Christians buried her body on the same manor where, 500 years later, Bishop Paschalis raised it and solemnly interred it at the church of St Amelia.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Firmina 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.