Marcella

 I was at church late this evening with our Women's Group. I don't have much time to post, but I would like to share the story of a female state.

Once more I am relying on Butler's Lives of the Saints.

St. Marcella is styled by St. Jerome the glory of the Roman Ladies. She was born in about 325 to a noble Roman family who lived in a palace on the Aventine Hill. After she lost her husband just seven months into her marriage, she decided to devote her life to imitation of the ascetics of the East, giving herself over to prayer, charity and mortification of the flesh. Her example was followed by other noble women who put themselves under her direction. Marcella's home became a center for Christian activity. When Pope Damasus called St. Jerome to Rome to be his confidential secretary, arrangements were made for Jerome to lodge at Marcella's hospitality house. Jerome gave readings and lectures to her community.

Most of what we know about Marcella comes from letters written by St. Jerome. She was a frequent recipient of his correspondence. She examined his arguments closely and was not afraid to rebuke him for his hasty temper. 

When the Goths plundered Rome in 410, they maltreated Marcella trying to make her disclose where she had hidden her supposed treasures, which in fact had been distributed to the poor long before. Marcella only feared for her favorite pupil, Principia. At her plea, God moved them to compassion and both Marcella and Principia were escorted to the Basilica of St. Paul where they were afforded sanctuary. The 85-year-old Marcella died of her injuries shortly after. Her Feast Day is January 31.

St. Marcella, pray for us.