January 18 Saint Prisca of Rome, Virgin, Martyr (Priscilla, Prisque)
January 18 Saint Prisca of Rome, Virgin, Martyr (Priscilla, Prisque)
first century.
.
Prisca was the daughter of a very wealthy aristocrat of the Pudens Cornelianus family, who had thrice been consul. While her family were secret Christians, Prisca openly proclaimed the gospel. Arrested at the age of 13 years in a persecution under Emperor Claudius, she was several times brought before an idol of Apollo that collapsed when she refused to make the required sacrifice.
.
Progressively beaten and put to torture, having boiling tallow poured over her, each time she survived triumphantly. When exposed in an amphitheater to a gigantic lion that had been starved for the previous four days Prisca received the ravenous beast's affectionate submission, as he licked her feet, much to the vexation of the emperor.
.
Prisca was returned to prison. She was starved for three days in a slaves' prison house, tortured upon the rack; pieces of flesh were next torn from her body with iron hooks, and she was thrown on a burning pile. During this time, she was comforted by a celestial choir.
.
Surviving this torture, Prisca was beheaded at the tenth milestone on the Via Ostiensis, the road from Rome to Ostia. An eagle watched over her body until it was buried in the catacomb of Priscilla, where a church has been dedicated as titulus Aquilae et Priscae on the Aventine hill since at least the 4th century.
.
Eternal Father, I wish to honor St. Prisca, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon her. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to her by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, St. Prisca might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.