Sister of the martyrs Simplicius and Faustinus, Beatrice was strangled in prison around 303 by order of the greedy Lucretius who coveted her property. After burying her brothers, she suffered martyrdom before her persecutor was struck by divine justice. Her relics rest at Saint Mary Major in Rome.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT SIMPLICIUS, SAINT FAUSTINUS AND SAINT BEATRICE, THEIR SISTER, MARTYRS IN ROME.
JULY 29.
Martyrdom and first burial
Saint Beatrice was imprisoned for her faith and then strangled by order of Lucretius. She was buried by Saint Lucina near her brothers on the road to Porto.
gods of wood and stone. Upon this confession, she was led to prison; and the following night, tha t infamous miser had her strangled. Saint Lucina , her dear mistress, buried her body near those of her two brothers, on the side of the great road to Porto, in the cemetery called ad Ursum Pileatum. This happened around the year 303. Since th en, Pope Leo II had a church built in Rome in honor of these Mar tyrs , where he had their bodies brought; they are today in that of Saint Mary Major.
The punishment of Lucretius
After seizing the saint's property, the miser Lucretius is confounded by the prophecy of an infant and dies possessed by the demon.
Divine justice soon made it appear that it is a rod that has eyes, and which watches for the vengeance of the just and for the punishment of the wicked, as it is said in Jeremiah. Lucre tius, a fter the death of Beatrix, took possession of her inheritance which he had confiscated, and, on the very day of this criminal invasion, he gave a great feast for his friends, where he showed extraordinary joy and even often mocked the Saint whom he had caused to die and whose pursuit he did not fear. But, while he was mocking and blaspheming against the Christian religion, an infant in swaddling clothes, who was in his mother's arms, cried out, in the company, in a clear and intelligent voice: "You have killed, Lucretius, and stolen her goods, but you are going to be punished." Indeed, this wretch having remained completely stunned by this threat, the demon seized his body at that very hour, and, after making him suffer horrible torments for three hours, he strangled him to carry his soul into hell. This terrible punishment should serve as an example to show us that there is a reward for virtue and a punishment for crime; that God finally uncovers the deceits of the wicked, and that, if he sometimes seems to leave the impious without punishment, it is only a temporal delay which serves only for their greater condemnation, if they do not take advantage of it to do penance.
Translation of relics
Pope Leo II transferred the bodies of the martyrs to a church in Rome; relics are also reported in France, notably in Amiens.
There are relics of Saint Beatrice with the Religious of Louvencourt in Amie ns, an d at the convent of Davenescourt.
Artistic representations
The saint is traditionally depicted watching over the burial of her brothers or carrying a rope, a symbol of her own martyrdom.
Saint Beatrice is depicted f inding the two corpses of her brothers and caring for their burial; sometimes with a rope, to indicate that she was strangled in prison.
Cf. Acta Sanctorum .
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Beatrice (Beatrix)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Beatrice (Beatrix)
Who was Saint Beatrice (Beatrix)?
Sister of the martyrs Simplicius and Faustinus, Beatrice was strangled in prison around 303 by order of the greedy Lucretius who coveted her property. After burying her brothers, she suffered martyrdom before her persecutor was struck by divine justice. Her relics rest at Saint Mary Major in Rome.
How is Saint Beatrice (Beatrix) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Beatrice (Beatrix) is recognizable by: rope and recovering the bodies of her brothers.
How did Saint Beatrice (Beatrix) die?
Saint Beatrice (Beatrix) suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (4th century).
What miracles are attributed to Saint Beatrice (Beatrix)?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Prophecy / infused knowledge, Sign / wonder and Exorcism.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Beatrice (Beatrix)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Blaise, Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Saint Basil the Great (Archbishop of Caesarea) and Saint Baudilus.
What are the other names of Saint Beatrice (Beatrix)?
Other forms of the name: Béatrice.
Who are the relatives of Saint Beatrice (Beatrix)?
Relatives of Saint Beatrice (Beatrix): Saint Simplice (brother) and Saint Faustin (brother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Confession of faith before the idols
- Imprisonment in Rome
- Died by strangulation on the orders of Lucretia
- Burial by Saint Lucina
- Translation of relics by Pope Leo II
Quotes
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You have killed, Lucretia, and stolen her goods, but you will be punished
A child in the swaddling clothes