MEMORIAL OF SAINT SILVERIUS, POPE AND MARTYR AND SAINT BIBIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 2ND: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Silverius, Pope and Martyr and Saint Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, may they continue to intercede for us. Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT SILVERIUS, POPE AND MARTYR: St. Silverius was pope for a very short time in 546-7 A.D. But his brief pontificate made him a martyr for the truth, which he defended at the cost of his life. St. Silverius was a subdeacon when, on the death of St. Agapetus, he was chosen Pope in 536. Shortly after the election, the victorious Belisarius, general of the Emperor Justinian, waging war against the Goths, appeared before the gates of Rome. At the persuasion of Pope Silverius, the senate and people admitted him into the city. The Empress Theodora, who favored the sect of the Acephali or Ultra-Eutychians, endeavored to draw the Pope into connivance with her party, but the Sovereign Pontiff could not be deceived though he foresaw that his resistance would cost him life. The Empress now entered into an intrigue with Vigilius, Archdeacon of the Roman Church, promising him the papacy if he would condemn the Council of Chalcedon. Ti this he basely agreed.
Hereupon, the Archdeacon was sent to Rome with a letter for Belisarius, commanding him to drive out St. Silverius and to contrive the election of Vigilius. After some hesitation, and, like Pilate, shifting the responsibility, the general decided to obey. Being lured into the hands of his enemies, St. Silverius was conducted to Patara in Lycia, and Vigilius became Pope. When Justinian, the Emperor, learned the true state of affairs, he gave orders that St. Silverius should be sent back to Rome. His enemies intercepted him on the road and Vigilius had him taken to the island of Palmaria. He died there a short time afterward, in 537. St. Silverius died in exile at the isle of Ponza, for refusing the empress Theodora’s demand to reinstate the heresiarch Anthimos in the see of Constantinople. His body was brought back to Rome and laid in the Vatican basilica. Ironically, the death of St. Silverius was no benefit whatever to the heretics, for once Vigilius had actually become Pope he gave up all dalliance with them.
PRAYER: Almighty God, help us to bear worldly adversities with an unconquerable spirit. For You did not let St. Silverius, Your Pope and Martyr, be terrified by threats or conquered by pains. Amen 🙏
SAINT BIBIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: St. Bibiana, also known as Vibiana or Viviana (d. 363), was born in Rome, the daughter of Christian parents who were martyred in the persecutions of Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate. In the year 363, Julian the Apostate made Apronianus Governor of Rome. St. Bibiana suffered in the persecution started by him. A legend states that Bibiana’s parents, Flavian and Dafrosa, were devout Christians as well. Her father, Flavian who was a former Roman prefect was severely beaten, had his face burned with a hot iron and sent to live in exile as a slave, but died from his wounds. Her mother, Dafrosa was beheaded shortly after. St. Bibiana and Demetria, her sister, were forced to remain in their house after all their possessions had been taken from them. They were imprisoned in their family home in utter poverty and hunger. They were offered reward if only they would renounce Jesus, but the sisters, strong in faith and prayer, said they would rather die. For five months the two sisters fasted and prayed.
Finding that they did not die from lack of food, the Roman governor summoned them. When they appeared in court, Demetria died on the spot at the feet of the tyrant after confessing her faith and the judge handed St. Bibiana and was given to the guardianship of a pagan woman named Rufina who tried to force her into prostitution. This woman tried to tempt Bibiana to be unfaithful to Christ, she in vain endeavored to defile her virginity. St. Bibiana refused and resolutely maintained her faith in Christ. She used blows as well as persuasion, but all her efforts were in vain, the Christian virgin remained faithful. For this she was beaten, tied to a pillar, and cruelly scourged to death with whips that were loaded with lead. St. Bibiana endured her torments with joy, and eventually died under the blows inflicted by the hands of the executioner. Her body was discarded and left out in the open to be eaten by wild dogs. The animals, however, would not touch her. After two days a priest named John discovered her body, took the body at night and buried it with a chapel built over the tomb for her veneration. St. Bibiana is one of the three virgin martyrs particularly venerated in Rome, the other two being St. Cecilia and St. Agnes. She’s the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Los Angeles, California; epilepsy; epileptics; hangovers; headaches; insanity; mental illness; mentally ill people; single laywomen; torture victims. St. Bibiana’s feast day is December 2nd.
PRAYER: Lord God, You showered heavenly gifts on St. Bibiana. Help us to imitate her virtues during our earthly life and enjoy eternal happiness with her in heaven. Amen 🙏