St. Fabiola

St. Fabiola was a noble Roman woman, probably born in the early to mid 300s. Her first husband was a vicious, cruel man who eventually became impossible to live

with. She procured a divorce according to Roman Law, and separated from her husband. Shortly after this, she "married" a second husband, while her first was still living, thus breaking church law and separating herself from the Christian community. She lived in this sin for many years, until her second husband died of unknown circumstances. On the day before Easter, she appeared before the Lateran Basilica, dressed in full penitential garb and performed public penance for her sin, begging God's forgiveness. The Christian community was greatly moved and impressed by her obvious contrition and the Holy Father received her back into full communion with the church.

After her reconciliation with the church, Fabiola began giving away her wealth and possessions to the poor and renounced the world, choosing to live her life in the example of St. Jerome, who was also residing in Rome at that time. She founded a hospital there and dedicated her life to nursing those who's ailments were too foul too be cared for by anyone else. She continued giving her immense wealth away to any and all who needed assistance and became well known in Rome for her charity and piety.

In 395 AD, she went to Bethlehem, where she worked in the hospice of a convent run by St. Paula and began a devoted study of the Scriptures under the direction of St. Jerome himself. She also practiced the most vigorous ascetic exercises, and grew rapidly in virtue and sanctity. After an invasion by the Huns in the eastern provinces of the Roman empire, she returned to Rome, though she remained in close correspondence with St. Jerome (who at her request wrote a treatise on the priesthood of Aaron and priestly dress) until her death. After her return to Rome, she united with former senator St. Pammachius to erect a hospice for pilgrims journeying to the Holy City. She continued her labors for the poor and sick until her death on December 27th, in either 399 or 400 AD. St. Jerome himself wrote her eulogy, and her funeral was a testament to the great love the Christian community and the people of Rome bore her. Her feast day is on December 27th.

In our current age, where immorality and divorce are accepted and praised with no consideration of the effects on society and our own souls, St. Fabiola is an example of how the church must remain firm in their position on divorce, regardless of whether society accepts it or not. The salvation of souls and the making of saints MUST be the church's first priority, not being tolerant or accepting of sinful lifestyles. If the Christian community had acted as though her illicit union with her second "husband" was acceptable, she would never have repented and amended her life, nor become the great saint she is. Her soul would have been lost forever as a result of the "tolerance" of the people who's duty it was to be the light of the world. May her story be a reminder to us of the importance of remaining true to our faith regardless of the feelings or beliefs of the people around us; we may be the only ones who show them they must amend their lives to be saved and if we do not, their souls will be upon our own heads.