(3RD CENT.)
[Roman Martyrology. It is doubtful whether these martyrs suffered
under Caracalla, or under Decius. The Roman Martyrology says "under
Decius;" the Acts are silent on this point. Baronius says under
Decius, in the year 254; but Decius fell in 251. There exist several
editions of the Acts, all apparently derived from the original
authentic account of their passion, and differing from one another
in no important particular.]
The blessed Fusca was a young girl of Ravenna, aged fifteen, who, with
her nurse Maura, had been instructed in the faith of Christ, and had
been baptized by S. Hermolaus. Her parents, who were heathens, were
exceedingly annoyed, and endeavoured by persuasion and threats to turn
their daughter from her confidence in God; and on one occasion her
father was so far exasperated as to rush upon her to strike her, but
the mother interposed and restrained him. The Præfect Quintianus,
hearing of the conversion of Fusca, sent for her, together with her
nurse, and having scourged her, ordered the executioner to run her
through with his spear. The maiden fell into the arms of Maura, and
the old woman, clasping her bleeding mistress, implored the man to
despatch her also; this request was readily complied with, and the
nurse and her young charge died together.
The relics of these holy martyrs are preserved at Torcelli. In Art
they are represented holding a spear.