Illuminata of Todi

Saint Illuminata of Todi is a martyr of Umbria from the Diocletian persecution at the beginning of the fourth century. Her story rests mostly on local tradition, and the sources give slightly different dates for her death, either around 303 or around 320. The Church commemorates her on 29 November.

According to tradition she was born at Palazzolo near Ravenna and was first called Caesaria. Her parents were Arians or pagans. At Holy Baptism she received the name Illuminata, meaning "enlightened".

When Sebastian, the prefect of Ravenna, wished to marry her, her father told him that his daughter had become a Christian. The maiden was thrown into prison, but tradition says an angel led her out and brought her to the Via Salaria. From there she went to Umbria, where she is said to have worked many miracles. Her parents, who had meanwhile turned to the Lord, joined her there.

The young woman lived in hermitages near Todi, in prayer and virginity. The prefect of Massa Martana had her cast into prison, and there she departed this life together with her parents on 29 November, in the days of the emperor Diocletian.

Their bodies were buried together at Papiniano, also called Bagno di Papinio, two miles from the town. The hand of Saint Illuminata was carried to Todi and placed in the monastery of the Milizie. Her life survives in several similar versions, which resemble the lives of other saints such as Photina and Fermina of Amelia, both honoured at Todi and Perugia.

Churches were dedicated to her at Todi, including a Camaldolese monastery, and also at Montefalco, Monteleto di Gubbio, Alviano and in Abruzzo. The painter Antoniazzo Romano portrayed her beside Saint Vincent and Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. She is commemorated on 29 November.