medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (31. May) is the feast day of:
The Visitation. The visit of the pregnant Virgin Mary to her cousin, also
pregnant at the time with John the future Baptist.
Petronilla (?) This is a case in which fiction is more fun than fact.
Petronilla was an early Roman martyr. That's all we know, except that she
was a member of the family of Domitilla, and is described in the catacomb
of Domitilla as a martyr. But according to her sixth-century Acts,
Petronilla was a daughter of St. Peter. She refused to marry; her would-be
husband threatened to have her killed; she fasted for three days and died
before he could do her in. P. is usually seen in art bearing a set of
keyes (apparently borrowed from her dad).
Cantius, Cantianus, Cantianella, and Protus (d. c. 304) C, C, and C were
two brothers and a sister, scions of a noble Roman family. After they were
orphaned, Protus (their tutor or guardian) converted them to Christianity.
When Diocletian's persecution started, they decided to flee Rome, first
selling their possessions in the city and giving most of the proceeds to
the poor. But they were pursued on their way to the family estate near
Aquileia, and captured. Because of their rank the emperor had to be
consulted, but soon all four were beheaded, at a place now called San
Cantiano.
Mechtild of Edelstetten (d. 1160) Mechtild was a Bavarian, a daughter of
the count and countess of Andechs. She was given to the double monastery
of Diessen at the age of five, and in time became nun and abbess there.
When 28, she was asked to reform the convent of Edelstetten, which she
succeeded after some resistance---miraculous healings and ecstasies seem to
have won the nuns over. M. had a premonition of her own death, and
returned to Diessen, where she died at the age of 35..
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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