SAINTS TRASILLA AND EMILIANA, VIRGINS
Saints Trasilla and Emiliana were aunts of Saint Gregory the Great. These sixth century virgins are listed in the Roman Martyrology, the former on December 24, the latter on January 5. Saint Gregory (Hom. XXXVIII, 15, on the Gospel of St Matthew, and Lib. Dial., IV, 16) relates that his father, the Senator Gordian, had three sisters who vowed themselves to God and led a life of virginity, fasting, and prayer in their own home on the Clivus Scauri in Rome. They were Trasilla (Tarsilla, Tharsilla, Thrasilla), Emiliana, and Gordiana. Gordiana, led on at first by the words and example of her sisters, did not persevere but returned to the vanities of the world. After many years in the service of God, Saint Felix III, an ancestor, appeared to Trasilla and bade her enter her abode of glory. On the eve of Christmas she died, seeing Jesus beckoning. A few days later she appeared to Emiliana, who had followed well in her footsteps, and invited her to the celebration of Epiphany in heaven. Tradition says that their relics and those of their mother, Saint Silvia (Sylvia), are in the Oratory of St Andrew on the Celian Hill.
Source: Frances Mershman, Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saints Trasilla and Emiliana 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.

Comments
Post a Comment