St. Zoe
Born: early 2nd c
Died: 127
FEast: May 2nd
Patron of:
dogs, mothers, wives, fire
Bio
Zoe lived in Pamphylia, which is modern-day Turkey, with her husband Exsuperius and her sons Cyriacus and Theodulus. They were a Christian family enslaved by a wealthy Roman named Catulus during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Not much is known about Zoe and her family, other than the facts that Zoe’s job was to look after the dogs and to keep them from biting people. It was also said that she worked near a road, and so when weary travelers walked by, she would give them some of her food, despite her not having very much, herself. Legend also says that she and her husband were separated while working and did not often get to see each other. It is unclear whether that was because of a punishment or simply the way Catulus managed things. The only other part of their story that is known is that on the birth of one of their sons, the Roman religious traditions were followed and food was offered to them to eat in worship of the Roman gods. When the family refused to eat, they were all tortured and burned alive in a furnace.
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Prayer
grant that the Holy Spirit may be with us like it was with you all throughout your life. From your sufferings in your work to your final decision to live for your faith, may we feel the flames of honesty, love, and zeal for our faith despite what our lives may bring. Let us feel it in our work, in our families, and in our homes, and let us bring it to the world. Amen.
Art Reflection
Zoe carries the items of her two jobs - caring for dogs and caring for her children. Her identities as both mother and worker, however, are overshadowed by the bright, luminescent red that symbolizes her heart on fire with the Holy Spirit, as well as her fiery death.
