Columba of Sens (d. 274?)
Columba of Sens (d. 274?)
Saint. Born in Spain. Executed around 274.
It is said that from birth Columba of Sens had a horror of pagan idols (idols were popular in the Roman Empire of the 3rd century). As a child in Spain (Hispania), she heard stories of France (Gaul) and its Christian religion. Fleeing Spain, she settled in Sens, a city in northeast France, where she was baptized and welcomed by the populace. When the Roman emperor Aurelian passed through Sens in 274 ce on his mission to reconquer Gaul, he had all the Christians of the town put to death except Columba. Aurelian was attracted by her beauty and noble origins. That day, however, she spurned him, and he handed her over for execution. Legend has it that, as she was about to die, a bear came out of the woods and knelt before her. The Roman soldiers kept a respectful distance until Columba dismissed the bear, her protector. The executioners then carried out their orders, and Columba was beheaded. Her feast day is celebrated on December 31st.