Saint Marcella

Memorial

• 31 January

Profile

Wealthy married imperial Roman noble woman. Widowed young after only seven months of marriage. Declined a wedding proposal from the consul Cerealis. Organized a group of religious women at her mansion on the Aventine Hill, one of which was Saint Lea of Rome. They were under the spiritual direction of Saint Jerome, though she was never afraid to stand against him in arguments. Marcella spent most of her time reading, praying, and visiting the shrines of martyrs. Captured by the Goths who looted Rome, Italy in 410, she was tortured to give up her treasure, but was released when they realized she had given away everything to the poor. She died soon after from the affects of the abuse.

Born

• 325 at Rome, Italy

Died

• August 410 at Rome, Italy

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Catholic Online
• Catholic Online
• Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
• Pictorial Lives of the Saints

MLA Citation

• “Saint Marcella“. Saints.SQPN.com. 30 January 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <>