Saint Secundina
A virgin of Anagni instructed by Saint Magnus, Secondina was martyred in 257 during the reign of Decius after being accused of magic. Despite the tortures ordered by Valerian, she remained firm in her faith, prompting the conversion of many guards before yielding her soul to the sound of an angelic voice.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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SAINT SECONDINA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR (257).
Origins and accusation
Secondina, a native of Anagni and a disciple of Saint Magnus, is accused of magic by Torquinus after the miraculous death of Emperor Decius's guards.
Secondina Secondine Virgin and martyr of Anagni in the 3rd century. , a virgin from the cit y of A Anagni City of origin of the saint in Italy. nagni, in Italy, was instructed by Saint M saint Magne Bishop and martyr, instructor of Saint Secondina. agnus, bishop and martyr, whom the gua rds of Emperor l'empereur Déce Roman emperor responsible for the persecution of Christians in 250. Decius put to death in the year of our salvation 257. But the murderers were all devoured by wolves the following night. This punishment was attributed to the magic of Saint Secondin Torquinus Accuser of the saint. a, and Torquinus, a great enemy of the Christian name, accused her of being a sorceress and an enemy of the gods. She was summoned to sacrifice to the idols, without being able to be compelled to co mmit suc Valérien Roman emperor under whom the martyrdom took place. h impiety. That is why Valerian immediately had her seized by soldiers and taken to prison. When she was later brought out, she appeared with a joyful face, affirming that she did not sacrifice to demons, but to the true God, and that she was ready to die for the name of Jesus Christ, and her face was cruelly bruised.
Divine intervention and conversions
In prison, a celestial light and voice protect the saint, leading to the conversion of eighteen guards and numerous witnesses.
Lifting her eyes to heaven, the virgin sighed and prayed for herself and for her enemies. During her prayer, an immense light suddenly shone around her, and the multitude that was there heard a voice that came from heaven, saying: You were all on the verge of death and your perdition, but, through the prayer of my servant Secondine, life has been granted to you. As for you, my daughter, do not fear, for I am the one whom you invoke and adore, Jesus Christ, and I will not allow your enemies to triumph over you. Shaken by this voice and frightened, eighteen guards and many other people embraced the faith and received baptism.
The Martyrdom
After enduring tortures marked by prodigious signs such as the flowing of a milky liquid, Secondine died a martyr on January 15.
The following day, the other guards, attributing these wonders to magic, proposed to the virgin that she either sacrifice to the gods or prepare to undergo horrible tortures; to which she replied that she had no fear of torments. Then, furious, these men stripped her of her clothes and tore her body with wounds. Her blood being exhausted, a liquid having the whiteness of milk flowed from her wounds, spreading a very sweet odor. Finally, an angel called her in a loud voice: Come, spouse of Christ, receive the crown that the Lord has prepared for you for eternity. She rendered her blessed soul to God on the 15th of January.
Cult and sources
The saint is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology and mentioned in the liturgical texts of Mainz.
Saint Secondina is cited in th e Roman Martyrolog Martyrologe romain Official catalogue of the saints of the Catholic Church. y on the 15th of January.
*Pro per of Mayence Site of the assassination of Emperor Alexander Severus. Mainz.*
Iconography
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Narrative network
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The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Secundina
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Instruction by Saint Magnus
- Accusation of magic by Torquinus
- Imprisonment by Valerian
- Conversion of eighteen guards following a heavenly voice
- Tortures and the shedding of a liquid white as milk
Quotes
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Come, spouse of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for you for eternity.
Voice of an angel