The last few posts have been male saints, so it is time to tell the story of another woman. Today I watched a documentary about William Shakespear, so I have chosen the patroness of one of his best-known female characters (just so that I am making a real-life connection).
The name of St. Julia is found in many ancient martyrologies. The details told in these stories of her life vary and are much embellished with imaginative details. She is believed to have lived in the sixth or seventh century.
The legend is that Julia was a young maiden of noble family from Carthage. When the city was taken by the Vandals in 439, she was captured and sold into slavery. Her master was named Eusebius, a pagan merchant from Syria. Julia served her master well and lived an exemplary life. As a Christian, she followed St. Paul's teachings on how slaves were to behave (see Ephesians 6:6 and Colossians 3:22). She became such a valuable servant to her master that he took her with him on a trading journey. Arriving in Corsica, their ship dropped anchor and Eusebius went ashore to participate in pagan sacrifices that were taking place. Julia remained behind refusing to take part in the ceremonies. When the governor questioned Eusebius about the woman of his party who dared to insult the gods, Eusebius admitted that she was a Christian. Because of her faithful service, he would not part with her in spite of her "superstition." The governor was angered by this and took it upon himself to induce Julia to sacrifice to the gods. He offered to obtain her freedom if she would comply. She responded that all the liberty that she desired was the freedom to serve her Lord, Jesus Christ. Her boldness further enraged the governor. He gave orders for her to be tortured and executed by crucifixion.
Julia is patroness of Corsica, torture victims, and pathologies of the hands and the feet. Her feast day is May 23.
St. Julia, pray for us.
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