Virgin and Martyr (Fifth Century)
Her life
+ According to the legendary account of her life and death, Augusta was the daughter of Matrucus, a pagan chieftan of the Alemanni people.
+ Matrucus had another tribe known as the Friulians; they were Christians.
+ Through the influence of the Friulian people, Augusta secretly converted to Christianity. Her father found out about her conversation and became outraged one day when he discovered her praying. After physically abusing his daughter, Matrucus had her tortured and beheaded her with his own sword in the area of (modern-day) Vittorio Veneto, Italy.
+ Although Saint Augusta is not included in the Roman Martyrology, her reported relics have been venerated for centuries in a church dedicated to her in the mountains overlooking Serravalle.
For prayer and reflection
“The Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”—Revelation 7:17
Spiritual bonus
On this day we also honor Blessed Jo Yong-Sam Petrus. A layman, he was martyred in Cheongju, Chungcheong-do (South Korea) on March 27, 1801, and was beatified with 123 other Korean martyrs in 2014.
Prayer
O God, who gladden us today with the annual commemoration of blessed Augusta, graciously grant that we may be helped by her merits, just as our lives are lit up by the splendor of her example of chastity and fortitude. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For a Virgin-Martyr)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...