Saint Secundina
A virgin of Anagni instructed by Saint Magnus, Secondina was martyred in 257 during the reign of Decius after being accused of magic. Despite the tortures ordered by Valerian, she remained firm in her faith, prompting the conversion of many guards before yielding her soul to the sound of an angelic voice.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT SECONDINA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR (257).
Origins and accusation
Secondina, a native of Anagni and a disciple of Saint Magnus, is accused of magic by Torquinus after the miraculous death of Emperor Decius's guards.
Secondina , a virgin from the cit y of A nagni, in Italy, was instructed by Saint M agnus, bishop and martyr, whom the gua rds of Emperor Decius put to death in the year of our salvation 257. But the murderers were all devoured by wolves the following night. This punishment was attributed to the magic of Saint Secondin a, and Torquinus, a great enemy of the Christian name, accused her of being a sorceress and an enemy of the gods. She was summoned to sacrifice to the idols, without being able to be compelled to co mmit suc h impiety. That is why Valerian immediately had her seized by soldiers and taken to prison. When she was later brought out, she appeared with a joyful face, affirming that she did not sacrifice to demons, but to the true God, and that she was ready to die for the name of Jesus Christ, and her face was cruelly bruised.
Divine intervention and conversions
In prison, a celestial light and voice protect the saint, leading to the conversion of eighteen guards and numerous witnesses.
Lifting her eyes to heaven, the virgin sighed and prayed for herself and for her enemies. During her prayer, an immense light suddenly shone around her, and the multitude that was there heard a voice that came from heaven, saying: You were all on the verge of death and your perdition, but, through the prayer of my servant Secondine, life has been granted to you. As for you, my daughter, do not fear, for I am the one whom you invoke and adore, Jesus Christ, and I will not allow your enemies to triumph over you. Shaken by this voice and frightened, eighteen guards and many other people embraced the faith and received baptism.
The Martyrdom
After enduring tortures marked by prodigious signs such as the flowing of a milky liquid, Secondine died a martyr on January 15.
The following day, the other guards, attributing these wonders to magic, proposed to the virgin that she either sacrifice to the gods or prepare to undergo horrible tortures; to which she replied that she had no fear of torments. Then, furious, these men stripped her of her clothes and tore her body with wounds. Her blood being exhausted, a liquid having the whiteness of milk flowed from her wounds, spreading a very sweet odor. Finally, an angel called her in a loud voice: Come, spouse of Christ, receive the crown that the Lord has prepared for you for eternity. She rendered her blessed soul to God on the 15th of January.
Cult and sources
The saint is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology and mentioned in the liturgical texts of Mainz.
Saint Secondina is cited in th e Roman Martyrolog y on the 15th of January.
*Pro per of Mainz.*
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 Secundina
Frequently asked questions about Saint Secundina
Who was Saint Secundina?
A virgin of Anagni instructed by Saint Magnus, Secondina was martyred in 257 during the reign of Decius after being accused of magic. Despite the tortures ordered by Valerian, she remained firm in her faith, prompting the conversion of many guards before yielding her soul to the sound of an angelic voice.
How is Saint Secundina depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Secundina is recognizable by: milky liqueur and crown.
How did Saint Secundina die?
Saint Secundina suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (3rd century).
What miracles are attributed to Saint Secundina?
4 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder, Vision / apparition and Conversion.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Secundina?
Contemporaries include: Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, Saint Ausonius of Angoulême, Saint Firmin of Pamplona and Saint Baudilus.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Instruction by Saint Magnus
- Accusation of magic by Torquinus
- Imprisonment by Valerian
- Conversion of eighteen guards following a heavenly voice
- Tortures and the shedding of a liquid white as milk
Quotes
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Come, spouse of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for you for eternity.
Voice of an angel