Saint Who?
Saints Who Lost Loved Ones
Saint Pammachius
Religious († 410) Feast: August 30
“My dear Pammachius…. His wife Paulina sleeps that he may keep vigil; she has gone before her husband that he remaining behind may be Christ’s servant.” Pammachius was a Roman senator and a man of learning and prudence. A friend of Saints Jerome and Paula, he was married to Paulina, Paula’s daughter.
Paulina was a loving wife, who longed to be saved together with her husband and to “bring forth virgins to Christ” (Saint Jerome). However, she suffered a series of miscarriages, and died suddenly after twelve years of marriage. It is thought she died in childbirth, along with her infant son. Pammachius honored Paulina’s memory by increasing his almsgiving, living almost like a monk.
Saint Jerome wrote to Pammachius to praise this noble response. “The glowing gems which in old days adorned Paulina now purchase food for the needy…. That blind man holding out his hand…is the heir of Paulina. That poor cripple…owes his support to the help of a tender girl. Such is the bodyguard which accompanies Pammachius wherever he walks.” Pammachius remained active in the intellectual life of the church, zealous for truth and charity. He died in 410.
Loving Father, through the intercession of
Saint Pammachius, may our griefs
be tempered by true charity.
