Note: I’m currently featuring women saints who knew each other personally–mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, sisters, and friends.
The Basics: Lillian and Natalie (also known as Sabigotho or Natalia), both born in the 9th century in Spain; died July 27, 852, in Spain; canonized precongregation; feast day, July 27. Wives, martyrs.
The Story: Lillian, Natalie, and their husbands on the surface seemed unlikely martyrs. Natalie kept her Christianity a secret, which many would have considered prudent in the Moorish-controlled Spain of the time. In fact, her religion was such a secret that when her marriage to Aurelius was arranged, his relatives
were unaware of her faith. Aurelius’ father was Muslim, his mother Christian and while they raised him as a Christian, when they died, he was taken in by an aunt who practiced Islam. He converted, then eventually re-converted to Christianity. Meanwhile, his cousin Felix, who was raised Christian, converted to Islam, then re-converted, married Lillian, the only one of the group who apparently was Christian all her life and made no efforts to hide her faith.
Persecutions of Christians became more intense in the region; indeed, nearly fifty would be executed in Cordoba in less than ten years. As Aurelius saw what was happened, he became ashamed of himself. The four also had made the acquaintance of a visiting Palestinian monk, who was forthright in his condemnations. Natalie and Aurelius made arrangements for the care of their two children, and Felix and Lillian sold all their property. When the fateful day came, the women entered a church unveiled and were promptly arrested, followed shortly thereafter by the husbands who were waiting at home. They were charged with apostasy and they and the monk were all beheaded.
What We Can Learn from Lillian and Natalie’s Relationship: Would your closest friends join you in sacrificing their lives for Christ if called to do so? If not, it might be time to reconsider just how in sync you are with those friends.
To Learn More About Lillian and Natalie: Read about them, their husbands, and others in Christian Martyrs in Muslim Spain.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
