Flora and Mary

 I was looking for a female Saint for today's post and found two. Ss. Flora and Mary lived in Spain in the ninth century, when much of that country was controlled by the Moors. 

Flora was born to an Islamic father and a Christian mother. Her father died when she was young and she was brought up in the Christian faith by her mother. Betrayed by her brother, she was beaten and given to him to abuse because of her faith. She eventually escaped and met Mary.

Mary was the child of a Christian father and an Islamic mother. Her mother converted sometime after her marriage. When Mary's mother died, Mary was sent to be educated at a convent, and her brother, Walabonsus, was sent to a monastery. They were reunited when Walabonsus was appointed as one of the supervisors of Mary's convent. On July 16, 851, Walabonsus was executed by Muslim authorities. 

Flora and Mary met at the church of St. Acisclus and decided to denounce Islam together. Under Islamic law, Flora and Mary were found guilty of two different crimes; Flora was executed for apostacy and Mary for blasphemy. Before being executed, they were threatened with being thrown in a brothel. They were beheaded on November 24, 851. Their feast day is November 24.

Ss. Flora and Mary, pray for us.