Bibiana was a Roman virgin, noble by birth, but more noble by her profession of the Christian faith. For, under the most wicked tyrant Julian the Apostate, Flavian, her father, was deprived of his dignity of prefect, and being branded with the mark of slavery, he was banished to Aquae Taurinae and there died a martyr. Her mother, Dafrosa, was first shut up in her own house with her daughters that she might die by starvation, but shortly afterwards was banished from Rome and beheaded. The virtuous parents thus put to death, Bibiana was deprived of all her possessions, as also was her sister, Demetria. Apronianus, the City Praetor, thirsting after their wealth, persecuted the two sisters. They were bereaved of every human help. But God, who gives food to them that are in hunger, wonderfully nourished them, and the Praetor was exceedingly astonished on finding them in better health and strength than before. Apronianus, notwithstanding, endeavoured to induce them to venerate the gods of the Gentiles. If they were to consent, he promised them the recovery of all their wealth, the Emperor’s favour and marriage to the noblest in the empire: but should they refuse, he would threaten them with prison, and scourgings, and the sword. But neither promises nor threats could make them abandon the true faith. They would rather die than be defiled by the idolatrous practices of paganism, and they resolutely resisted the impious Praetor. Whereupon, Demetria was struck down in the presence of Bibiana and slept in the Lord.
Bibiana was delivered over to a woman by name Rufina, who was most skilled in the art of seduction. But the virgin, taught from her infancy to observe the Christian law and to preserve with the utmost jealousy the flower of her virginity, rose above nature, defeated all the artifices of the wretched Rufina, and foiled the craft of the Praetor. Finding that Rufina could in no way shake the virgin’s holy resolution and that both her wicked words and frequent blows were of no avail, and seeing his hopes disappointed and his labour thrown away, the Praetor became violently enraged and ordered Bibiana to be stripped by the lictors, be fastened to a pillar with her hands bound, and be beaten to death with leaded whips. Her sacred body was left for two days in the Forum Boarium as food for dogs but received no injury, being divinely preserved. A priest called John then buried it during the night close to the grave of her sister and mother, near the Palace Licinius where there stands a Church consecrated to God under the title of Saint Bibiana. Pope Urban VIII restored this Church, having there discovered the bodies of Saints Bibiana, Demetria and Dafrosa, which he placed under the high altar.
Dom Prosper Guéranger:
Of the saints whose feasts are kept during Advent, five are virgins. The first, Saint Bibiana, whom we honour today, is a daughter of Rome. The second, Saint Barbara, is the glory of the Eastern Churches. The third, Saint Eulalia of Merida, is one of Spain’s richest treasures. The fourth, Saint Lucy, belongs to beautiful Sicily. The fifth, Saint Odila, is claimed by France. These five wise virgins lighted their lamps and watched, waiting for the coming of the Spouse. Such was their constancy and fidelity that four of them shed their blood for the love of Him after whom they longed. Let us take courage by this noble example, and since we have not, as the Apostle expresses it, as yet resisted unto blood, let us not think it hard if we suffer fatigue and trouble in the holy exercises of this penitential season of Advent: He, for whom we do them all, will soon be with us and repay us. Today, it is the chaste and courageous Bibiana who instructs us by her glorious example.
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Holy Bibiana, most wise Virgin! You have gone through the long unbroken watch of this life and when, suddenly, the Spouse came, your lamp was bright and richly fed with oil. Now you are dwelling in the abode of the eternal marriage-feast where the Beloved feeds among the lilies. Remember us who are still living in the expectation of that same divine Spouse, whose eternal embrace is secured to you forever. We are awaiting the Birth of the Saviour of the world, which is to be the end of sin and the beginning of justice. We are awaiting the coming of this Saviour into our souls that He may give them life and union with Himself by love. We are awaiting our Judge, the Judge of the living and the dead. Most wise Virgin, intercede for us by your fervent prayers with this our Saviour, our Spouse and our Judge. Pray that each of these three visits may work and perfect in us that divine union for which we have all been created. Pray also, O faithful Virgin, for the Church on Earth, which gave you to the Church in Heaven, and which so devoutly watches over your precious remains. Obtain for her that strict fidelity, which will ever render her worthy of Him who is her Spouse as He is yours. Though He has enriched her with the most magnificent gifts, and given her confidence by His promises which cannot fail, yet does He wish her to ask, and us to ask for her, the graces which will lead her to the glorious destiny which awaits her.Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Rome, the holy martyrs Eusebius, priest, Marcellus, deacon, Hippolytus, Maximus, Adria, Paulina, Neon, Mary, Martana and Aurelia, who consummated their martyrdom in the persecution of Valerian under the judge Secundian.
Also at Rome, St. Pontian, martyr, with four others.
In Africa, the birthday of the holy martyrs Severus, Securus, Januarius and Victorinus, who were there crowned with martyrdom.
At Aquileia, St. Chromatius, bishop and confessor.
At Imola, St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop of Ravenna, celebrated for his learning and sanctity. His feast is celebrated on the fourth of this month.
At Verona, St. Lupus, bishop and confessor.
At Edessa, St. Nonnus, bishop, by whose prayers the penitent Pelagia was converted to Christ.
At Troas in Phrygia, St. Silvanus, renowned for miracles.
At Brescia, St. Evasius, bishop.
In Sancian, a Chinese island, St. Francis Xavier, of the Society of Jesus, renowned for the conversions he made among the Gentiles, and for supernatural gifts and miracles. Pope Saint Pius X selected and appointed this holy man to be the heavenly patron of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and its work. His festival, however, is kept on the third of this month by order of Pope Alexander VII.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
