Benedicta, of Origny Saint, Virgin, and Martyr

Benedicta, Of Origny Saint, Virgin, And Martyr suffered with St. Romana of Beauvais, and ten other companions. Tradition says that these holy virgins were of Rome, and that the fame of the martyrdom of SS. Quentin and Lucien, and their companions, attracted them to Gaul, with the hope of meeting with a similar reward. When they arrived at the border of Celtic Gaul and Belgium, they parted; Benedicta and Leoberia went to Laon, and Romana to Beauvais; whither their companions betook themselves is unknown. Romana was put to death at Beauvais, and Benedicta at Origny, on the Oise, in the diocese of Laon. In the diocese of Beauvais the festival of St. Romana is observed on the 3d of October, and that of Benedicta on the 8th. The history of these saints is altogether uncertain, and it should be remarked that the Acts of St. Benedicta are the same as those of St. Saturninus, and that the history of St. Romana is identical with that of St. Benedicta, except in the particular of her translation. See Baillet, 3, 112.