St. Fabiola of Rome

St. Fabiola was a Roman noblewoman who turned from a life of privilege to one of Christian humility and service. After repenting for her past, she devoted her wealth to founding the first public hospital in Rome and caring for the poor and sick.

Fabiola of Rome was a remarkable Roman matron born into the prestigious patrician Fabia family. Though the exact date of her birth is unknown, she lived during the late 4th century and died in 399. Her early life was marked by privilege and power, and she entered into a marriage that eventually turned bitter due to her husband’s immoral behavior. In a move that defied Church teaching at the time, she divorced him and later remarried. However, following the death of her second husband, Fabiola experienced a profound spiritual transformation.

Her repentance was public and sincere. On Holy Saturday, dressed in penitential garb, she presented herself before the Lateran Basilica, where Pope St. Siricius received her back into the Church. This act of humility marked the beginning of a new life dedicated to Christian service and acts of charity.

Fabiola’s commitment to helping others was as vast as her wealth. She used her considerable fortune to found what is believed to be the first public hospital in Rome. Unlike the elite of her class, who rarely associated with the ill, especially those suffering from infectious diseases, Fabiola personally tended to the sick and marginalized. Her hospital became a symbol of Christian compassion, charity, and inclusivity in healthcare, setting a precedent for future Christian medical institutions.

In 395, she traveled to the Holy Land, where she studied Scripture and practiced asceticism under the guidance of St. Jerome in Bethlehem. Jerome, in his letters, praised her devotion, intellect, and generosity. After some time, Fabiola returned to Rome, where she continued her charitable works alongside the Roman senator Pammachius. Together, they established a hospice in Portus for pilgrims and the needy, further extending her ministry of mercy.

St. Fabiola's life of penance, learning, and charity inspired many during and after her lifetime. Her dedication to the sick and suffering became a model for Christian caregivers and medical institutions. She is venerated as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, and her feast day is celebrated on December 27. She is especially revered as the patron saint of divorced people, individuals in troubled marriages, victims of abuse, and the hospice movement.

Feast Day

27-12-

Birth Date

--

Died Date

27-12-399 AD

Canonised Date

--Pre-congregation

Rome, Italy

Saint Fabiola, healer of the sick and model of repentance, intercede for those who suffer in body and spirit. Inspire us to serve with compassion, to seek mercy in our failings, and to live with humility and charity. Amen.
ST. FABIOLA OF ROME

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ST. FABIOLA OF ROME

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