Dec. 2, 2011 Friday: St. Bibiana
St. Bibiana
Bibiana’s father, Flavian, had been prefect of the city of Rome in early Christian times. He and his wife were known as fervent Christians. When Emperor Julian renounced the faith, he began persecuting Christians. That is when Flavian was arrested. He was branded on the face with a hot iron and then exiled.
After he died, his wife, Dafrosa, who led a good Christian life, was made a prisoner in her own house. Then she, too, was put to death. Left alone with her sister, Demetria, Bibiana tried with all her heart to trust in God and pray. Everything they had was being taken from them. Then the two young women were brought to court. Poor Demetria was so frightened that she dropped dead at the judge’s feet. Bibiana was handed over to a sinful woman, who was supposed to make the girl as evil as she was. This woman tried by sweet words and many clever tricks to make Bibiana commit sins of impurity. However, the saint could not be moved. She was brought back to court and beaten. Yet she held to her faith and chastity as strongly as ever.
St. Bibiana was beaten to death with leaden scourges. A priest buried her at night beside her mother and sister.
Sometimes we can’t understand why good people are allowed to suffer. It may also seem that people who do evil get away with it. When we feel confused or resentful about this, we can ask St. Bibiana for help. From heaven, where she enjoys the reward of her fidelity, she’ll help us see that fair judgment doesn’t always come in this world, but in the next.
-Daughters of St Paul
Bibiana’s father, Flavian, had been prefect of the city of Rome in early Christian times. He and his wife were known as fervent Christians. When Emperor Julian renounced the faith, he began persecuting Christians. That is when Flavian was arrested. He was branded on the face with a hot iron and then exiled.
After he died, his wife, Dafrosa, who led a good Christian life, was made a prisoner in her own house. Then she, too, was put to death. Left alone with her sister, Demetria, Bibiana tried with all her heart to trust in God and pray. Everything they had was being taken from them. Then the two young women were brought to court. Poor Demetria was so frightened that she dropped dead at the judge’s feet. Bibiana was handed over to a sinful woman, who was supposed to make the girl as evil as she was. This woman tried by sweet words and many clever tricks to make Bibiana commit sins of impurity. However, the saint could not be moved. She was brought back to court and beaten. Yet she held to her faith and chastity as strongly as ever.
St. Bibiana was beaten to death with leaden scourges. A priest buried her at night beside her mother and sister.
Sometimes we can’t understand why good people are allowed to suffer. It may also seem that people who do evil get away with it. When we feel confused or resentful about this, we can ask St. Bibiana for help. From heaven, where she enjoys the reward of her fidelity, she’ll help us see that fair judgment doesn’t always come in this world, but in the next.
-Daughters of St Paul
