St. Emerentiana: The Saint Who Exposes an Error
"She was baptized, not by water, but by her own blood.” ( Roman Martyrology, January 23), a sharp indictment to an error in vogue... Prologue: A Liturgical Rebuke. The Ninth Lesson for today's office (23rd January) reads thus: Commemoration of: St. Emerentiana, Virgin and Martyr Emerentiana was a Roman maiden, and the foster-sister of the blessed Agnes. While she was still a Catechumen she was inspired by her faith and love to rebuke the fury of the idol-worshippers against the Christians, whereupon a mob assembled, and stoned her so severely that she was only able to drag herself to the grave of holy Agnes, where, while she prayed, she gave up her soul to God, being baptized, not in water, but in her own blood, so freely shed for Christ. In this brief liturgical account is a telling truth, both consoling and indicting. Consider that St. Emerentiana left no writings, founded no school, and defined no thesis. Yet by her faith, her blood, and her canonization, she bears witne...
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