Saint Justina of Padua

Memorial

• 7 October

Profile

Young woman who took private vows of chastity and devotion to God. Martyr in the persecutions of Diocletian. Some mideaval documents describe her as a disciple of Saint Peter the Apostle, but that’s impossible. She is sometimes depicted in art as a nun, but never was, and some artists may have confused her with Saint Scholastica.

Died

• martyred c.304

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Patronage

• Padua, Italy
• Santa Giustina, Italy

Representation

• young woman placing a cross on the head of the devil while holding a lily in her hand
• young woman with Saint Prosdocimus
• young woman with Saint Scholastica
• young woman with a crown and palm of martyrdom, and sword
• young woman with a palm, book, and a sword in her breast
• young woman with a unicorn, symbolizing virginity, and a palm
• young woman with both breasts pierced by one sword

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints

MLA Citation

• “Saint Justina of Padua”. Saints.SQPN.com. 8 September 2010. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-justina-of-padua/>