A Roman noblewoman and an aunt of Pope Gregory the Great. With her sisters she lived a consecrated life of prayer and simplicity in her family home.
Life
Saint Tharsilla came from a noble Roman family of the sixth century and was the aunt of Pope Saint Gregory the Great. What we know of her comes mainly from Gregory's homilies and Dialogues.
According to Gregory, Tharsilla lived a life of prayer and self-denial like a nun in the family home, together with her sisters Emiliana and Gordiana. She was renowned for her deep life of prayer, and before her death she reportedly saw in a vision her ancestor, Pope Felix, calling her to heaven. She died peacefully, and the Church remembers her on December 24.
Spirituality
Tharsilla's spirituality is a life of consecration and prayer lived within the home. Not in a monastery but in her own house she gave herself wholly to God, and her faith deeply influenced her nephew Gregory. She shows that holiness depends not on the place but on the direction of the heart.
Reflection
Tharsilla lived a life of prayer at home and handed on her faith to her nephew Gregory. On this Christmas Eve, what can I do to make my home a place of prayer?