These holy martyrs were two Christian women at Seville in Spain,
who maintained both themselves and many poor persons by selling
earthenware. A fervent soul finds in the most ordinary course of
life occasions of exercising many heroic acts of virtue, and makes
every ordinary action a perfect holocaust by performing it with a
most ardent desire of pleasing God with the entire sacrifice of
itself. Such were the lives of these two faithful servants of God
in the world. So perfect a virtue deserved to be honored with the
crown of martyrdom. Though these saints gave all their substance to
the poor, and were desirous to serve every one for the edification
of their souls, yet no motives could draw them into any criminal
condescension. Not to concur to the idolatrous superstitions, they
refused to sell vessels for the use of heathenish sacrifices. The
Pagans, offended at their religious scruple, when Dioclesian’s
edicts renewed the persecution, broke all the ware in their shop,
and impeached them for their faith before the governor. The prefect,
after they had boldly confessed Christ, commanded them to be
stretched on the rack, and their sides in the meantime to be torn
with iron hooks. An idol was placed near the rack with incense, that
if they would offer sacrifice, they should be that moment released;
but their fidelity was not to be shaken. Justa expired on the rack:
which, when the judge saw, he ordered Rufina to be strangled, and
their bodies to be burnt. They suffered in the year 304. See their
acts published by Maldonat; also Ado, Usuard, &c.