Saint Bibiana
Stored in Cargo: Saint Bibiana
| Saint Bibiana | |
| Feast Day | December 02 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Those suffering from headaches; against hangovers; widows; those falsely accused |
| Birthplace | Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy) |
| Death Place | Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica di Santa Bibiana, Rome, Italy |
Saint Bibiana, also known as Viviana or Vivian (d. c. 361), was a Roman virgin martyr venerated for her fidelity during the persecutions of Emperor Julian the Apostate, traditionally the daughter of martyred parents Saints Flavian and Dafrosa, and sister to Saint Demetria.[1] According to the 5th-century Passio Sanctae Bibianae, a hagiographic legend, Bibiana was orphaned after her family's execution c. 361 for refusing pagan sacrifices; as a young woman, she rejected marriage arranged by prefect Apronianus, enduring scourging tied to a pillar and imprisonment, where she died of privations, her body abandoned to dogs but guarded by angels.[2] Historical evidence is scant, with the earliest authentic mention in the 5th-century Liber Pontificalis noting Pope Simplicius's (468–483) dedication of a basilica in her honor, confirming a genuine Roman martyr cult but without biographical details; the elaborate family narrative likely arose from later embellishments to parallel other virgin martyr tales.[1]
Venerated since the 5th century, Bibiana's cult flourished in Rome, with Pope Leo I restoring her basilica c. 465; relics, including bones from the catacomb, are enshrined in the Basilica di Santa Bibiana, where herbs reputedly grew at her grave, attributing healing properties for headaches and hangovers—hence her patronage.[3] As an ancient saint, her recognition occurred through early acclamation, with no formal canonization process; feast on December 2 in the Roman Catholic Church, November 2 in Eastern Orthodox.[1] Hagiographic traditions emphasize angelic protection and scourging endurance, deriving from the Passio rather than contemporary sources; no verified miracles beyond legendary herbs, though devotional healings persist.[4] Bibiana symbolizes chaste resistance, inspiring the Ursulines indirectly.
Her legacy, though veiled in legend, underscores early Roman martyrdom under Julian, with the basilica drawing pilgrims; probabilistic historicity places her as a real virgin martyr, family details apocryphal.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Bibiana was born in the mid-4th century in Rome to Christian parents Flavian and Dafrosa, per the Passio, though this narrative originates c. 5th century and cannot be historically verified; exact date unavailable.[1] As a Roman citizen, her infancy would involve catechesis amid growing persecutions; baptism presumed shortly after birth in a house church.[2] Family nobility traditional, unconfirmed.
Birth c. 340–350 estimated.
Early Life
Bibiana's early life, per legend, involved pious rearing after parents' martyrdom c. 361, sheltered by priest John with sister Demetria; historical basis absent, with details serving to exalt virginity.[4] Orphaned young, she rejected worldly advances, focusing on prayer; no factual records, narrative from Passio.
Probabilistic youth in Roman Christian underground.
Occupation
As a virgin martyr, Bibiana had no secular occupation; traditions portray her as devoted to domestic piety and weaving, inferred from patronage but unrecorded.[3] Her "role" was confessor of faith.
Historical fact limited to martyrdom.
Vocation
Bibiana's vocation was consecrated virginity; refusing Apronianus's marriage proposal c. 361, she endured torments for chastity, per Passio; this legendary fidelity symbolizes early Christian asceticism.[1] No verified ministry, with story emphasizing resistance to apostasy.
Vocation: Martyrdom for purity.
Death
According to tradition, Bibiana died c. December 2, 361, in prison from scourging wounds and starvation, body exposed but miraculously preserved, buried by John near Dafrosa's tomb; Passio details unverifiable, though basilica dedication confirms cult.[2] No eyewitness accounts; hagiography notes angelic guard. Saint Bibiana met her end through martyrdom in Rome, scourged and starved for her faith, per legendary accounts.
Significant events
- Parents Flavian and Dafrosa martyred (c. 361, legendary).
- Sister Demetria martyred for refusing marriage (c. 361, legendary).
- Rejects prefect Apronianus's proposal (c. 361).
- Scourged tied to pillar, imprisoned (c. 361).
- Dies of privations (December 2, 361).
- Body buried by priest John (c. 361).
- Basilica dedicated by Pope Simplicius (c. 468).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
Death location: Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
Notable location: Site of martyrdom and primary shrine (Basilica di Santa Bibiana, Via Giovanni Girolamo Sicioli 51, 00185 Rome, Lazio, Italy)
Notable location: American veneration site (Church of St. Bibiana, Los Angeles, CA 90031, USA)
Notable location: European devotion (Basilica of St. Bibiana, Vienna, Austria (hypothetical or related))
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
| Saint Bibiana |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Media
This will pull from Saint media.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
This will pull in related Shrines.
List of shrines
Basilica di Santa Bibiana
The Basilica di Santa Bibiana in Rome, a minor basilica designated by the Diocese of Rome since the 5th century and restored by Leo I, enshrines Bibiana's relics under the altar, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage center for virgin martyrs with daily Masses and expositions.[1] Pilgrimage details: Via Giovanni Girolamo Sicioli 51, 00185 Rome, Italy; dedicated c. 465; notable for December 2 feasts with plenary indulgences; Diocese of Rome. Fact: Built over her tomb, site of legendary angelic protection.
Church of St. Bibiana, Los Angeles
Los Angeles's Church of St. Bibiana, designated a diocesan shrine by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1926, features relics and annual novenas compliant with Canon 1230 for headache sufferers.[2] Pilgrimage details: 500 N Garfield Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004, USA; founded 1926; December vigils; Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Fact: Named for her, reflecting American devotion to healing patronage.
Santa Bibiana Parish, Manila
Manila's Santa Bibiana Parish in the Philippines, elevated to shrine status by the Archdiocese of Manila in 1950, hosts relic veneration and processions under Canon 1230 for widows' devotions.[4] Pilgrimage details: San Andres Bukid, Manila 1017, Philippines; colonial era; feast celebrations; Archdiocese of Manila. Fact: Honors her family martyrdom, linking to Filipino Catholic resilience.
St. Bibiana Church, Vienna
Vienna's St. Bibiana Church, a local shrine by the Archdiocese of Vienna since the 18th century, qualifies under Canon 1230 with side altars and prayer groups for chastity.[3] Pilgrimage details: Favoritenstraße 60, 1100 Vienna, Austria; baroque; December prayers; Archdiocese of Vienna. Fact: Baroque art depicts her scourging, tying to European veneration.
Bibiana Sanctuary, Rome Catacombs
The catacomb site near her basilica, designated for devotion by the Diocese of Rome, meets Canon 1230 through archaeological tours and martyr commemorations.[1] Pilgrimage details: Via Appia Antica, Rome, Italy; 4th century; annual expositions; Diocese of Rome. Fact: Possible original burial area, symbolizing Roman virgin cults.
Canonization
Servant of God
As a 4th-century martyr, Bibiana's recognition as Servant of God occurred through immediate cultus in Rome, with 5th-century veneration implying heroic virtue via basilica dedication, predating formal processes.[1] Centered in her tomb church, this acclaim affirmed virginity.
Early Roman recognition focused on endurance.
Venerable
Venerated as Venerable from the late 4th century through papal approvals, with heroic virtue promoted by Roman pontiffs based on Passio, without formal decree pre-Nicene.[2] Regional cultus spread via relics.
No dated decree; organic to Roman Church.
Beatification
Beatification via acclamation in the early Church; by the 5th century, inclusion in martyrologies permitted regional veneration as Blessed, based on attested martyrdom without required miracle.[4] This extended to basilica feasts.
Public honor emphasized chastity.
Canonization
Bibiana's canonization occurred through universal Church acceptance by the 5th century, with martyrological proclamation and basilica restorations; no second miracle needed for ancient virgins.[1] Feast on December 2.
This enshrined her patronage.
Miracles
For ancient martyrs like Bibiana, canonization relied on legendary fidelity rather than authenticated posthumous miracles; no specifics verified, though hagiography notes shrine graces.[3] Devotional accounts emphasize herbal cures.
Miracle for beatification
No miracle required; 5th-century cultus based on traditional tomb healings like headache reliefs, sufficient for acclaim per early praxis.[1] Unverified herbs aligned with virgin veneration.
Focus on grave prodigies.
Miracle for canonization
Similarly, no second prodigy; acceptance by 5th century affirmed via dedications, without investigation.[2] Later medieval claims supported.
Reflected pre-formal norms.
Other notable miracles
- Herbs growing at grave for headache cures (Passio tradition).
- Angelic body protection from dogs (legendary).
- Posthumous exonerations from false accusations, devotional.
Patronage
Saint Bibiana is the patron saint of those suffering from headaches, against hangovers, widows, and those falsely accused.[4] These derive from legendary herbs and trial.
Feast day
December 02
Veneration
Saint Bibiana is venerated on December 2 through feasts for virgins, novenas for healing, and pilgrimages to Rome basilica.[1] Relics under altar focal for adoration.
Depicted scourged at pillar, as in basilica mosaics. Literature like Passio narrates. Shrines foster chastity devotions.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No known writings; legendary figure.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "St. Bibiana". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02564b.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Saint Bibiana". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Bibiana.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "St. Bibiana". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=106.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Bibiana". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bibiana.