Saint of the Day for 10 July: Saints Rufina and Second
Saints Rufina and Seconda: Life, Martyrdom, and Legacy of the Holy Roman Martyrs
Name
Saints Rufina and Second
Title
Martyrs of Rome
Recurrence
10 July
Martyrology
2004 edition
Prayer
O most glorious virgins and inclined martyrs of Jesus Christ, Rufina and Seconda, we thank you with all the affection of heart for the graces through you obtained. Deh! by that invincible intrepidity with which you always preserved yourselves faithful to your heavenly Spouse and among you even more united with the bonds of grace and charity than with those of nature, unite our hearts more and more with God and with our neighbor; communicate to us that Christian fortitude which makes us superior to every obstacle, let us, constantly faithful to the obligations of our state know how to overcome ourselves in order to come one day to sing eternally the ineffable mercies of the Heart of Jesus.
Roman Martyrology
In Rome the holy virgins and martyrs Rufina and Second Sisters, who, in the persecution of Valerian and Gallienus, were subjected to torments, and finally, the one beaten in the head with the sword, the other beheaded, flew to heaven. Their bodies are preserved with due honor in the Lateran Basilica, near the Baptistery.
The Saint and Mission
Saints Rufina and Seconda, Roman sisters and martyrs of the 3rd century, are remembered for their unshakable faith and courage in a time of severe persecution against Christians. Raised in a Christian family, they decided to consecrate their lives to God, refusing marriages with pagan nobles to maintain their purity and devotion. This choice inevitably led them to clash with the Roman authorities. Their mission manifested itself through the silent but powerful testimony of their faith. When they were arrested and subjected to brutal torture to renounce Christianity, Rufina and Seconda remained steadfast in their values, displaying extraordinary fortitude. Their perseverance in the face of suffering and death was an act of faith and courage that inspired many other Christians to resist persecution. The sisters were eventually martyred, but their mission did not end with their deaths. Their story continued to be told, strengthening the faith of Christian communities and offering a shining example of total dedication to Christ. Their legacy lives on today, reminding us of the importance of remaining true to our faith and bearing witness courageously, no matter the circumstances. Saints Rufina and Seconda show us that the Christian mission does not always require words, but can be lived through integrity, purity and spiritual strength. Their lives are a powerful reminder of the value of faith lived consistently and the power of silent but indomitable testimony in the face of oppression.
The Saint and Mercy
Saints Rufina and Seconda are examples of mercy lived through sacrifice and the testimony of faith. Raised in a Christian environment during a time of intense persecution, they demonstrated profound mercy in the way they faced adversity. Despite knowing the risks, they chose to remain faithful to Christ, refusing to renounce their faith or conform to the demands of the Roman authorities. Their mercy was also manifested in their ability to forgive and love their persecutors. Rufina and Seconda endured torture and mistreatment without rancor, praying for those who tormented them. This act of love and forgiveness is a powerful example of Christian mercy, which overcomes hatred and violence with compassion and forgiveness. Their strength of spirit and their ability to remain faithful until death are testimonies of a mercy that knows no boundaries. Their martyrdom not only strengthened the faith of the Christians of their time, but continues to inspire the faithful today to live a life of compassion and forgiveness. Saints Rufina and Seconda teach us that mercy can also be expressed through the silence of suffering accepted with love and firmness in faith. Their story is a reminder of the strength of divine mercy, which invites us to forgive, love and remain faithful to our Christian vocation, despite the difficulties. Their life and sacrifice remind us that true mercy is manifested in unconditional love and forgiveness, even in the most difficult situations.
Hagiography
Second Martyr, saint (3rd cent.). According to an ancient passio, compiled around the mid-5th century, Seconda suffered martyrdom along with her sister Rufina during the violent persecution at the time of Valerian and Gallienus on the Via Cornelia. Tradition has it that, betrothed to two young Christians who had become apostates, Seconda and Rufina vowed virginity, provoking the reaction of the two young men who first tried to induce them to apostasy, then denounced them: arrested by the prefect Junius, they were tortured and…