(d. Third Century)
Her life
+ The young martyr Faith is listed in Saint Jerome’s list of saints as having died for her faith at Agen in Gaul (modern-day France).
+ It is thought that she was killed during the persecution ordered by the Emperor Dacian.
+ A later account of her martyrdom claims that she was born to a noble family and she was killed for her refusal to offer sacrifice to idols.
+ Devotion to Saint Faith was widespread during the Middle Ages. Her shrine at Conques, France, was located along the pilgrim route to Compostela
+ Numerous churches were dedicated to her throughout Europe and the New World, including the Spanish mission of Santa Fe in what would become New Mexico.
For prayer and reflection
“The martyrs teach us that it is not beautiful speeches that reveal our identity as children of God, but only the abandonment of our lives in the hands of the Father, and forgiving those who offend us.”—Pope Francis
Spiritual bonus
On this day, the Church celebrate the memory of Saint Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order.
Prayer
O God, who gladden us today with the annual commemoration of blessed Faith, 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 Virgins—For a Virgin-Martyr)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...
