Saint of the Day – 5 January – Saint Emiliana of Rome (6th Century)

Saint of the Day – 5 January – Saint Emiliana of Rome (6th Century) Virgin, Recluse, Mystic. Patronage – single laywomen. Also known as – Aemiliana, Emilian, Emilienne.

The Roman Martyrology states: “In Rome, commemoration of Saint Emiliana, Virgin, Aunt of Pope Saint Gregory the Great, who, shortly after her sister Tarsilla, also returned to the Lord.”

Emiliana is remembered by her nephew, St Gregory the Great (540-604), for having been able to assist him in his discernment of his vocation. . We have the only biographical information about Emiliana thanks to the Pope who mentions his paternal aunt in a homily.

Emiliana, together with her sisters Tarsilla and Gordiana, retired to a consecrated and ascetic life, probably in the family home. But at a certain point Gordiana chose marriage. Tradition states that St Pope Felix III, their ancestor, appeared to Trasilla and bade her to enter Heaven and on the eve of Christmas Trasilla died, seeing Jesus Christ calling her. The legend also states that Trasilla, a few days later appeared to Emiliana, inviting her to celebrate Epiphany in Heaven.

Emiliana was the Daughter of the noble and wealthy Senator Gordian and Saint Silvia of Rome and the sister of Saint Trasilla and Gordiana.

She was the paternal aunt of Pope Saint Gregory the Great and the niece of Pope Saint Felix III who died in 365.

Emiliana spent so much time kneeling in prayer that her knees and elbows were locked arthritically in the position. She and her sister lived as Recluses in their father‘s house until Thrasilla‘s death.

Emiliana who received a visit from her recently deceased sister inviting her to depart this vale of tears and true to her desire to be with the Lord, Emiliana died a few days later.