Why is Saint Julia a saint?

Answer 1

There are two Sts. Juliana in the hagiography of the Roman Catholic Church. The hagiography is commonly referred to as the calendar of saints' feast days.

The first St. Juliana of Nicomedia is commemorated on 16 February. Juliana was a martyr for the faith. Early in the 4th Century, during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, Juliana suffered martyrdom. Her family forced her into marriage with a pagan, but Juliana denied her husband his conjugal rights, intending to convert him to Christianity. Juliana's husband, instead, had her locked up and demanded that she abjure her Christian faith. Her legend says that while she was imprisoned Satan tempted her, trying to get her to obey her husband. Juliana's response was to strike Satan with her chains. In the end, Juliana was denounced before a magistrate who ordered her beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to the Emperor.

In art, St. Juliana is depicted with a winged demon or dragon near her or chained to her feet. Juliana is called upon to stave off contagious diseases. St. Juliana is the Protector of women in childbirth. Juliana is of Latin origin and derives from the Roman family name of Julia--the family of Julius Caesar.

The second St. Juliana of the Falconieri family, lived from 1270-1341. Juliana was the Foundress of the 3rd Order of Servites. St. Juliana was born into the noble Florentine family, Falconieri. She was influenced by her uncle, St. Alexis Falconieri, one of the seven founders of the Servite order. On her father's death, Juliana took the habit ca. 1285, of the 3rd Order of the Servites from St. Philip Benizi, Superior General of the Servites, this made her the foundress of that order. Juliana was originally granted permission to remain housed with her widowed mother with several companions. Juliana and her companions moved to a building which became the motherhouse and first convent of the order. Juliana became the founding Mother Superior and remained so until her death. Pope Clement XII canonized her in 1737, granting her 19 June as her Feast Day. St. Juliana was revered immediately on her death by the local faithful as a holy and charitable virgin.