Saint of the day July 19, 2025

The two sisters Justa (born 268) and Rufina (born 270) lived in Seville, Spain, and were artists—the makers of fine earthenware pottery (they are today the patron saints of potters). The sale supported not only these holy young women, but many of the city’s poor. Each day, Justa and Rufina would rise early, creating beautiful pots and vessels, which they would then carry on their shoulders to the marketplace. The proceeds from their sales were invariably donated or given away to those in need.

Born into a poor but pious Christian family, Justa and Rufina were educated in their home regarding the faith. At a young age, both pledged their virginity, becoming brides of Christ. Their deep faith extended to their work—the sisters refused to sell their wares to those who would use them in pagan celebrations or in sacrifice to the Roman gods.

One day, people who were celebrating a pagan festival honoring the Roman gods came to the sisters’ booth. They wanted to buy pots to use in their worship services. Justa and Rufina refused, explaining that they were followers of Christ and did not believe in false gods. Justa and Rufina retaliated by smashing a statue of the pagan goddess, Venus. In anger, the townspeople broke all of their dishes and pots. The sisters were arrested immediately.

The city’s prefect, Diogenianus, encouraged by the rampant persecution of Christians under orders of the Emperor, ordered the holy sisters tortured until they renounced their faith in Christ. He had them tortured on the rack and with iron hooks. An idol was placed near the rack with incense, and the sisters were told that if they would offer a sacrifice, they would be released. However, their faith in Christ was not shaken. Following their horrific torture, the sisters were ordered to walk barefoot to Sierra Morena, a distant journey, without food or water. There, they were again thrown into prison, neither their spirits nor their faith broken.

Having no success in encouraging the saints to renounce Christ, Diogenianus ordered Justa killed, believing that her death would break Rufina’s resolve. Justa was killed upon the rack, her body thrown into a well, which was later recovered by Bishop Sabinus. The prefect, Diogenianus, believed that the death of Justa would break Rufina’s resolve.

However, Rufina, deeply grieved, continued to express her faith in Christ, refused to renounce her faith, and was thrown to the lions. However, the lion refused to attack her, remaining as docile as a house cat. Infuriated, Diogenianus had Rufina strangled, then beheaded, and her body burned. Her body was also recovered by Sabinus and buried alongside her sister in 287 AD.

Reflection

It is easy for us to put up with something that is wrong if we aren't directly partaking in it, especially if we are making money. However, being an enabler to a sinful action is still wrong.
Saint Justa (268-287) and Saint Rufina (270-287), virgins of the Church, and martyrs for the faith. These two sisters worked tirelessly throughout their brief lives to serve the poor, standing up for their beliefs, and fearlessly dying rather than betray their faith in Christ. Their story continues to be a symbol of unwavering faith and resistance against religious persecution, inspiring generations of believers to stand firm in their convictions.