St. Julia is a fifth-century saint who is revered as a martyr in the Italian church. Julia was born as a wealthy young heiress or princess in Carthage, but was captured as a slave by Vandals who invaded Carthage.

Her master appreciated her hard work and Julia became invaluable to him, so he allowed her to continue practicing her Christianity and forego worshiping their native gods. Her master took Julia with him on a trip to Gaul. He landed in Corsica, at a village that was holding a pagan festival, and the ruler of the village asked Julia’s master why he had a slave who would not join in their worship of the gods. Julia’s master responded that he could not dissuade her from her Christianity, no matter how hard he tried. Because she was such a skillful, hard worker, he could not do without her and needed her as a part of his household. The pagan ruler said he would trade four of his best slaves for Julia, but Julia’s master refused. “Even if you gave me all you own, I would not part with her,” he claimed.

The village ruler waited until Julia’s master fell asleep, then, he abducted Julia from where she was resting on the ship and tried to force her to offer sacrifice to pagan gods. Julia refused. He offered her her freedom if she would just offer sacrifice. “Serving Christ is my true and only freedom,” retorted Julia.

The ruler had Julia tortured and crucified. When her master awoke, he ran outside to see his beloved Julia breathing her last. Legend has it that when Julia breathed her last, a dove left her lips and flew into the sky. Her body has remained in Corsica ever since and she has been the patron saint of the island.

St. Julia, brave martyr of Corsica—pray for us!