June 25, 2023

Feast of Santa Febronia

Santa Febronia, ora pro nobis
June 25th is the Feast day of Santa Febronia, Virgin and Martyr. Invoked against plagues, earthquakes and other natural disasters, she is the principal patroness of Palagonia (CT), Patti (ME) and Minori (SA). Her feast is also celebrated on the last Sunday of July in Patti and July 13th in Minori.

According to tradition, Febronia was born in Patti to a wealthy pagan family. Secretly converting to Christianity, she was baptized, took a vow of virginity and consecrated herself to Jesus Christ.

Learning of his daughter's conversion, Febronia's father viciously beat and harassed the young maid. Seeking to escape her father's wrath, she fled to the caves of Mons Iovis, near Mongiove.

Discovering her hiding place, the angry patriarch had Febronia bound and cast into the sea. Miraculously, her body traversed the Mediterranean and was discovered on the beach of Minori, along the Amalfi Coast, where she is venerated as Santa Trofimena.

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Santa Febronia. The accompanying photo was taken at the Santa Febronia Chapel in Hoboken, New Jersey. Evviva Santa Febronia!
Prayer to Santa Febronia
Thank you Lord for giving us the virgin martyr Santa Febronia, our fellow citizen, as a model of virtue and protector. Through her intercession bless our Patti and the Church to which we are proud to belong. For us and for our families we ask the gifts of compassion and fortitude. Amen