Today the Church remembers SS. Justa and Rufina, Martyrs.
Orate pro nobis.
Justa and Rufina were sisters and natives of Seville who are said to have lived in the neighborhood of Triana in Sevilla, Spain. Justa was born in 268 AD and Rufina in 270 AD, of a poor but pious Christian family. They made fine earthenware pottery for a living, with which they supported themselves and helped many of the city's poor. Like many other merchants, they sold their pottery from booths set up out of doors where people could see their wares. During a pagan festival, they refused to sell their wares for use in these celebrations. In anger, locals broke all of their dishes and pots. Justa and Rufina retaliated by smashing an image of Venus. They were immediately arrested.
The city's prefect, Diogenianus, ordered them to be imprisoned. Failing to convince them to renounce their faith, he had them tortured on the rack and with iron hooks. They were then forced to walk barefoot a great distance to the Sierra Morena; when this did not break their resolve, they were imprisoned without water or food. Justa died first from the effects of being tortured, forced marched, and privation of water and food. Her body, thrown into a well, was later recovered by the Bishop Sabinus. Diogenianus believed that the death of Justa would break the resolve of Rufina. Rufina refused to renounce her faith and was thus thrown to the lions. However the lions in the amphitheatre refused to attack Rufina, remaining as docile as house cats. Infuriated, Diogenianus had Rufina's neck broken and her body burned. Her remains were also recovered by Sabinus and buried alongside her sister. They died on 19 July 287 AD.
They are often depicted in icons as young women with their heads uncovered (indicating their status as unmarried), with clay pots in their hands and a shattered idol at their feet, holding palms (representing martyrdom), and a lion licking Rufina's bare foot. They are patron saints of Seville, and still have a prominent place in the Mozarabic liturgy.
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyrs Justa and Rufina triumphed over suffering and were faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember them in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
