<p>The earliest mention of St. Bibiana comes from an authentic, historical book, &ldquo;Liber Pontificalis&rdquo;, where, in the biography of Pope Simplicius, 468-483, it states that the body of a Roman Virgin and Martyr named Bibiana, was in a Basilica he consecrated.&nbsp; &ldquo;Pope Simplicius consecrated a Basilica of the holy martyr Bibiana, in which, contained her body, near the palatium licinianum&rdquo;.&nbsp; The Basilica of Santa Bibiana still exists today.&nbsp; This is really all we know for sure, the rest is based on tradition. &nbsp;</p> <p>St. Bibiana suffered in the persecution started by Apronianus, Governor of Rome.&nbsp; She was the daughter of Christians, Flavian a Roman knight, and Dafrosa his wife.&nbsp; It is said that Flavian was tortured severely, and was sent into exile where he died from his wounds.&nbsp; His wife was beheaded, and their two daughters Bibiana and Demetria were stripped of their possessions and left to suffer.&nbsp; They did remain in their house, spending their time in prayer and fasting. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>It became apparent to Apronianus, that hunger and want had little effect on these two girls.&nbsp; He had them brought to him, and Demetria, after confessing her faith, fell dead at the feet of the tyrant.&nbsp; St. Bibiana was placed in the hands of a wicked woman called Rufina, for greater suffering.&nbsp; She tried to seduce her, using blows and beatings, as well as persuasion, but the Christian virgin remained faithful.&nbsp; Enraged, Apronianus ordered her to be tied to a pillar, beaten with scourges, laden with lead plummets, until she died.&nbsp; She endured the torments with joy, and died under the blows of her beating. &nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p>We know that St. Bibiana was a martyr for her faith.&nbsp; Much of the details are left to tradition, but we know she was a martyr and saint of the early Church.&nbsp; It is said her father was beaten and exiled, where he died of his wounds.&nbsp; Her mother was beheaded, and she and her sister were left to die in their home with no means to survive.&nbsp; Refusing to give up her faith, she was beaten to death.&nbsp; Many of the early saints of our Church went to heroic ends to maintain their faith, and her life was no exception.&nbsp; We owe our faith to these wonderful saints who held fast to their faith so we may grow in ours. &nbsp;</p>