Summers at Grace Theological College
Grace of Saragossa: 4th Century Immigrant and Martyr
St. Grace of Saragossa was born in Afghanistan during the 4th century. The events of her early life are unknown. She immigrated to Zaragoza, Spain where she lived as an unmarried, working, faith-filled Christian woman. Like so many of us Grace was an ordinary person seeking different and perhaps better opportunities while trying to live an ordinary life.
What set her apart and made her extraordinary however, was her faith. In the year 304 C.E., during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian, Grace was arrested for being a Christian. In order to save themselves, Christians were given the opportunity to worship to the emperor instead of God. Those that did were freed and permitted to live. Grace was given the same opportunity, however, she would not recant her faith. She was tortured, brutally beaten, and left to die
of her injuries in her jail cell.
Grace was not beatified. There was no need. She had already proven herself worthy to be welcomed into the ranks of the Saints. She was canonized by pre-congregation as St. Grace of Saragossa. We are deeply honored to walk in the footsteps of this ordinary woman who was made extraordinary by her commitment to her faith, and her courage for walking the talk.
We celebrate the faith, committment, courage, and life of St. Grace of Saragossa every day, and remember her especially on March 13th of every year.