Lea of Rome

Saint Lea of Rome, the holy nun, was a Roman lady, a widow, who led an ascetic life; she is known only through the testimony of her friend, Blessed Jerome, the only source of information on her life. She died in the year 384 (by others, around 383).

Born into a wealthy and distinguished family, she was widowed soon after her marriage, with a considerable fortune. Instead of living at ease, she joined a community of virgins consecrated to God in the city, renouncing money and rank, and was later chosen superior. She supported the house run by Marcella, working as a humble servant, and then came to lead the community. She reposed while Jerome and Marcella were reading and working on Psalm 73. In a letter to Marcella, Jerome says that Lea, a woman of strict obedience and remarkable penances, had died, and calls her "blessed", pointing to her virtues as worthy of heaven. She is commemorated on 22 March, by the Western calendar (new style), as a saint of the undivided Church.