St. Justina and St. Ruffina were sisters who lived in late third-century Spain. They made their living by selling pottery, a trade they learned from their parents.

One day, a wealthy customer came in and made a generous offer for much of their earthenware. When they asked what his intention was, he told them that the pieces were to be used in pagan rituals. The sisters smashed all the pottery so that they would have no part in sacrificing to idols.

They were arrested for being Christians and for obstructing sacrifices to the gods. They boldly proclaimed their faith in Christ and were tortured and killed. During their torments, an idol was placed nearby with a bowl of incense—if they simply burned some incense to the idol, they would be released, but they refused.

It is possible that Justina was a male named Justus—the historical record is unclear. The relics of both St. Justina and St. Justus rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and the image of Justina and her sister, Ruffina, is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

St. Justina, you were tortured and killed for refusing to associate your livelihood with sin—pray for us!