Life Story

 

 

Saint Regina (Latin for queen) also known as Sainte Reine (in French), was born in the second century in Alise, Burgundy, France. During childbirth her mother sadly passed away so she was raised by father- a prominent pagan citizen called Clement- who gave her away to a Christian who was attached to the family. After being given to the nurse she was then secretly baptized by her which caused her father great concern.

 

After learning her involvement with Christianity he then disowned her as his daughter and casted her out of the family. She then left her family to live with the nurse and became a shepherdess. Due to their poverty she had to work in the fields. During her time there she also became closer to God by meditating and contemplating him.

 

In 251, when she was fifteen, an important man called Olybrius became obsessed with her and was determined to make her his wife. When she refused, he imprisoned her by chaining her to the walls of a dark prison cell. As she kept refusing, Olybrius tortured her by whipping, scorching and putting iron combs and burning pincers on her. In the end, in 286 AD Autun France, she had her throat severed and went to heaven to meet God.

 

Today, St Regina is still venerated in Autun, France and is honoured in many ancient martyrologies. Her feast day is September 7th and is the patron saint of shepherdesses, torture victims and against poverty.