Saint Bibiana

Profile

Her parents, Saint Flavian of Acquapendente and Dafrosa of Acquapendente, were martyred in the persecutions of Julian the Apostate, and Vivian and her sister Demetria were turned over to a woman named Rufina who tried to force them into prostitution. Upon her continued refusal to cooperate, Vivian was imprisoned in a mad house, then flogged to death.

A church was built over her grave, in the garden of which grew an herb that cured headache and epilepsy. This and her time spent with the mentally ill led to her areas of patronage.

Born

in 4th century in Rome, Italy

Died

Bibiana was scourged to death c.361, and her body was left to the dogs, but none would touch her. She was buried two days later in the Pretestato Catacombs, Rome, Italy. Her relics were enshrined in the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Los Angeles, California from 1855 until the building burned in August 1865, and in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, California.

Patronage

  • against epilepsy
  • against hangovers
  • against headaches
  • against insanity
  • against mental illness
  • epileptics
  • mentally ill people
  • single laywomen
  • torture victims
  • archdiocese of Los Angeles, California 
  • Bibiana, Italy

Representation

  • branch
  • pillar
  • green branch covered with twigs and foliage

Sources: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bibiana/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Bibiana#/media/File:Saint_Bibiana_by_Bernini.jpg