September 7 + Saint Regina

Regina was born in the third century in eastern France. Her mother died in childbirth, and she was left to be raised by her father Clement, a wealthy pagan. He placed her in the care of a Christian nurse, who secretly baptized her. When her father learned of her Christianity, he threw her out of the house and forced her to live with the nurse who raised her. Due to the family’s poverty, Regina helped out by working as a shepherdess.

When she was fifteen, Regina caught the eye of the prefect of Gaul, Olybrius, a man of great importance. He became obsessed with the young woman, and was determined to take her as his bride. He delighted in her noble upbringing, but was annoyed to find that she was practicing the Christian faith. At that time, Christians were being violently persecuted and killed, under the direction of the Emperor Decius. Olybrius asked her to deny her faith, so as to not only save her from persecution, but to secure her as a wife. She declined, refusing to recant her faith, and professing it all the louder. In retaliation, Olybrius had her imprisoned.

Regina was chained to the walls of a dark prison cell by means of an iron belt that was bolted to the wall. She was beaten, burned with red-hot plates and pincers and iron combs. She still would not deny her faith so finally, she was beheaded, and this child with the queenly name entered the Kingdom of Heaven.

Her courageous commitment to Christ caused the conversion of many witnesses present who observed a solitary dove hovering atop her head during her torture.

Regina's relics are enshrined in Flavigny Abbey, where they have been rendered famous by miracles and pilgrimages. There is a miraculous spring with powers to heal many illnesses, with a hospital nearby dedicated to Saint Regina founded by Saint Vincent de Paul.