Lenten campaign 2026
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So many strong, holy women make up the history of the Church, with Our Lady reigning over them all.
On February 16, we celebrate the feast of St. Juliana of Nicomedia, and she is certainly a notable member of this list.
Two other Julianas are perhaps better known. There is Juliana of Liege (1192-1258) who brought us the feast of Corpus Christi, and Juliana Falconieri (1270-1341), another saint of the Eucharist, said to have entered her final Agony with the Sacred Host on her chest, which then suddenly disappeared upon her death.
But Juliana of Nicomedia (in present-day Turkey), an early Christian martyr, is also an easy saint to love, and particularly for the accounts surrounding her strong and determined character.
Juliana is said to have suffered martyrdom during the brutal persecution of 304. As is the case with many of these early martyrs, the account of her life and death is interwoven with legend and devotion.
However, one thing that stands out in the devotion is Juliana's firm and resolute dealing with the devil.
From the Catechism
[Satan] is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's reign.
Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature - to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history.
It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him."
In fact, an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon poem attributed to Cynewulf includes a dialogue between the saint and Satan. The devil came disguised as an angel but with God's help, she discovered his identity. Supported by God, Juliana is "resolute and unafraid, mindful of her strength."
Juliana proceeds to force the devil to tell the whole history of his sins, and at the end, she drags him out in chains.
Thus, Juliana of Nicomedia is often depicted with the devil, subjected as an unruly animal, as she stands above him or overpowers him with her calm strength.
The above image is a detail of the devil from the full image below.
St. Juliana, pray for us!
