Saint Marcellina

Biography

Saint Marcellina, also known as Marcellina of Milan, was born around 330 in Trier, Gaul (modern Germany). She was the daughter of the Roman imperial prefect of Gaul and the sister of two prominent saints, Ambrose of Milan and Satyrus. After her father's death, Marcellina moved to Rome at a young age and was raised by her older brothers.

Marcellina devoted her life to God and became a consecrated virgin, similar to a modern-day nun. On Christmas Day in the year 353, she received the veil from Pope Liberius in the grand setting of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Unlike many consecrated virgins of her time, Marcellina chose not to live a cloistered life. Instead, she resided with her mother and in other private homes.

Marcellina actively participated in the religious activities of the Church and worked closely with her brother Ambrose after his consecration as the Bishop of Milan. Alongside Ambrose, she dedicated herself to various charitable works and the spreading of the Christian faith. Her devotion and commitment to God were exemplary, and she was known for her austere way of life.

However, Marcellina's ascetic practices eventually became so rigorous that her brother, Ambrose, advised her to ease her penitential practices in her later years. Despite this, she remained steadfast in her faith and continued to serve as a model of virtue and dedication to God for both her contemporaries and future generations.

Ambrose, recognizing Marcellina's sanctity and devotion, dedicated his treatise on holy virginity to her. This dedication further highlights her significant impact on the Christian community of her time and her influential role within her own family.

Saint Marcellina passed away in Milan around 398 due to natural causes. She was buried in the crypt beneath the altar of the Ambrosian Basilica in Milan, Italy, where she remains to this day.

While her official canonization pre-dates the formal process established by the Catholic Church, Saint Marcellina's life and witness continue to inspire believers as a shining example of faith and devotion to God. Her feast day is celebrated on July 17th, reminding us of her remarkable legacy and the enduring significance of her virtuous life.