Tradition says she was born to a Christian family in Rome and suffered persecution along with her parents and sister. Refusing to abandon her faith, she was scourged to death, and a church in Rome bears her name.
Life
Saint Bibiana is honored as a virgin martyr of Rome. Almost nothing about her is known with historical certainty; the oldest trace is a church built in her name in Rome in the fifth century.
Later tradition says that in the fourth century, under Emperor Julian, she suffered for the faith together with her parents and sister and was scourged to death for refusing to renounce Christ. Much of this story, however, is thought to have been added later. The Church remembers her on December 2.
Spirituality
Bibiana is remembered as one who kept the faith together with her family. Her story reminds us that faith is not only a private matter but something guarded and handed on within the family. For centuries the Church has honored her and remembered the fidelity of believers under persecution.
Reflection
Tradition remembers Bibiana as keeping the faith with her family. Why not begin a short prayer this evening that our whole family can pray together?