St. Blandina

St. Blandina was a young Christian slave martyred in Lyon, France, during Roman persecution in the 2nd century. Despite severe torture, she remained steadfast in her faith. Her courage inspired others and she is honored as a saint and virgin martyr in the Catholic Church.

St. Blandina was one of the most celebrated martyrs of the early Christian Church, known particularly for her extraordinary courage and unwavering faith during the severe persecutions in Lyon, Gaul (modern-day France) around 177 AD. Born around 162 AD, she was a young slave belonging to a Christian family. During the widespread persecution under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Christians were arrested, interrogated, and brutally tortured to renounce their faith. Blandina, because of her low social status and Christian identity, was subjected to particularly brutal treatment.

Despite the unimaginable torments she endured, including scourging, being thrown to wild beasts, and finally being enclosed in a net and thrown to a bull in the amphitheater, Blandina remained firm in her confession of Christ. According to the account recorded by Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History, she continually repeated the words, "I am a Christian, and nothing evil is done among us." Her strength astounded both Christians and her persecutors alike.

Her endurance gave strength to other imprisoned Christians who were ready to give up under torture. After hours of torment, Blandina was ultimately killed, having been seen as a symbol of unwavering faith, even by Roman officials. Her body was burned after her death, a common method used to deter the veneration of Christian relics, but her memory could not be erased.

St. Blandina's story has lived on as a testimony to the strength of faith in the face of suffering. She was recognized as a saint through popular acclaim and veneration, a process known as "pre-congregation" canonization, which was common before the formal procedures were established by the Catholic Church. Today, she is remembered as the patroness of young girls, slaves, and those who suffer for their faith.

Feast Day

2-6-177

Birth Date

0-0-162

Died Date

2-6-177

Canonised Date

0-0-Pre-Congregation

Lyon, France

O glorious St. Blandina, courageous in the face of cruelty, faithful in your witness to Christ, intercede for us in our trials. May your strength and perseverance inspire us to remain true to our faith. Amen.
ST. BLANDINA

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ST. BLANDINA

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