Saint Petronilla
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| Saint Petronilla | |
| Feast Day | May 31 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Dauphins of France, mountain travelers, treaties between Popes and Frankish emperors, against fever |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom or natural death |
| Primary Shrine | St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy |
Saint Petronilla (d. end of 1st century or possibly 3rd century), also known as Aurelia Petronilla, was an early Christian saint venerated as a virgin and possibly a martyr in Rome, Italy. Traditionally considered the daughter of St. Peter, modern scholarship suggests she was likely a convert or “spiritual daughter,” possibly linked to the Aurelii family through the Christian Flavii. Her tomb inscriptions and a 4th-century painting in the Catacomb of Domitilla confirm her veneration as a martyr, though legends claim she died naturally after a hunger strike to avoid marriage to a pagan king, Flaccus. Her relics, translated to St. Peter’s Basilica in 757, are housed in a dedicated chapel. Canonized through pre-Congregation processes, her feast day is May 31.[1][2]
Petronilla is patroness of the dauphins of France (due to a dolphin reportedly carved on her sarcophagus), mountain travelers, treaties between Popes and Frankish emperors, and against fever. Her cult is strong in Rome and France, marked by a May 31 Mass at St. Peter’s for French residents.
Biography
Birth
Saint Petronilla’s birth date and details are unknown, but she was likely born in Rome, Italy, in the 1st or possibly 3rd century. She may have been part of the Aurelii, a Roman senatorial family, possibly linked to the Christian Flavii through Flavia Domitilla.[1][2]
Early Life
Little is known of Petronilla’s early life. Traditionally viewed as St. Peter’s daughter, she is more likely a convert or follower, possibly cured of palsy by him. Apocryphal legends claim Peter locked her in a tower to protect her from suitors. Her association with Flavia Domitilla suggests a noble Christian background.[3][4]
Occupation
Petronilla had no formal occupation but was revered for her Christian devotion. As a virgin, she likely dedicated herself to prayer and charity, possibly aiding the early Church. Her depiction with a broom in art suggests hospitality to pilgrims or the poor. Legends describe her rejecting marriage to Flaccus, leading to her death.[5][6]
Vocation
Petronilla’s vocation centered on her commitment to virginity and faith, possibly as a martyr. Early inscriptions label her “Petronilla Mart.,” suggesting martyrdom, though later stories claim she died naturally after fasting to preserve chastity. Her spiritual link to St. Peter, symbolized by keys in art, underscores her role in the early Church.[2][7]
Death
Saint Petronilla died in Rome at the end of the 1st or possibly 3rd century, either martyred or naturally after a hunger strike. Legends claim she fasted for three days to avoid marrying Flaccus, dying after receiving the Eucharist. Inscriptions suggest martyrdom, possibly during Domitian’s persecution. Her relics were translated from the Catacomb of Domitilla to St. Peter’s Basilica in 757.[1][8]
Significant events
- Cured of palsy by St. Peter, 1st century (per legend).
- Rejected marriage to Flaccus, leading to hunger strike and death, 1st or 3rd century.
- Venerated as a martyr in the Catacomb of Domitilla, 4th century.
- Relics translated to St. Peter’s Basilica, 757.
- Basilica built over her tomb by Pope Siricius, 384–399.
- Guercino’s altarpiece, *The Burial of St. Petronilla*, painted for St. Peter’s, 1623.[1][2]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Petronilla as a Servant of God is undocumented, as her veneration predates modern canonization. Her 4th-century tomb painting and inscriptions confirm early devotion in Rome.[1]
Venerable
Petronilla was not formally declared Venerable, as her sainthood emerged through pre-Congregation practices. Her cult grew in the Catacomb of Domitilla, supported by 6th- and 7th-century martyr lists.[2]
Beatification
No distinct beatification process is recorded, as her sainthood relied on popular devotion. Her tomb in the Via Ardeatina and a basilica built by Pope Siricius (384–399) solidified her veneration.[5]
Canonization
Saint Petronilla was recognized as a saint through pre-Congregation processes, without a formal canonization date or canonizer. Her feast day, May 31, appears in the Roman Martyrology, with some regions using June 15.[1][6]
Miracles
No specific miracles are documented for Petronilla’s canonization, as her sainthood was based on martyrdom or virginity. Her curing of palsy by St. Peter is a legendary providential act.[7]
Miracle for beatification
No miracle is recorded, as her recognition predates the modern beatification process.
Miracle for canonization
No miracle is recorded, as her sainthood was established through popular devotion.[1]
Other notable miracles
- Cured of palsy by St. Peter, per apocryphal accounts.[3]
Patronage
Saint Petronilla is the patroness of the dauphins of France (due to a dolphin on her sarcophagus), mountain travelers, treaties between Popes and Frankish emperors, and against fever.[5]
Feast day
Her feast day is celebrated on May 31 in the Roman Catholic Church, with Mass at St. Peter’s offered for France. Some regions use June 15.[2]
Veneration
Saint Petronilla is venerated through prayers and pilgrimages to her chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica, where her relics, including her skull in a reliquary, reside. Her image, often with keys, a broom, or a dolphin, appears in art, such as Guercino’s *The Burial of St. Petronilla* (1623) and Lorenzetti’s altarpiece (1340s). French monarchs, including Charlemagne, tied her to France’s royal patronage.
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[4]
- A Garner of Saints by Allen Banks Hinds[3]
- The Golden Legend: Readings on the Saints by Jacobus de Voragine[6]
Written by the saint
- None recorded.[1]
External links
- Saint Petronilla of Rome at CatholicSaints.Info
- St. Petronilla at Catholic Online
- St. Petronilla in the Catholic Encyclopedia
- Petronilla at Wikipedia
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "St. Petronilla". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11781b.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Petronilla". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petronilla.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Saint Petronilla of Rome". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-petronilla-of-rome/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Saint Petronilla, Virgin". Sanctoral. 2024-05-30. https://sanctoral.com/en/saints/31_may.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Saint of the Day – 31 May – St Petronilla". Anastpaul. 2023-05-31. https://anastpaul.com/2023/05/31/saint-of-the-day-31-may-st-petronilla-1st-century-virgin-martyr/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "St. Petronilla". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1496.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Saint Petronilla of Rome". SaintForAMinute. https://www.saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_petronilla_of_rome.
- ↑ "St Petronilla". Independent Catholic News. 2024-05-30. https://www.indcatholicnews.com/saint/155.