In 290 AD, St. Eulalia came from one of Spain's most celebrated families. She received a Christian education and learned the principles of perfect piety. She stood out from an early age due to her exceptional commitment, modesty, and sweetness of temper.

She demonstrated a deep appreciation for the sacred state of virginity and early indications of her genuine wish to live a heavenly life on earth by her solemn demeanor and disdain for clothing, adornment, distractions, and worldly companionship. The world's amusements, which often occupy the thoughts of young people, had no appeal for her because her heart was elevated above it before she was believed to be able to understand it. She also continued to develop virtue every day of her life.

According to legend, she was only twelve years old in 304 when the Emporer Diocletian issued his murderous edicts, which mandated that everyone be forced to sacrifice to the empire's gods regardless of age, sex, or occupation.

Despite being young, Eulalia saw the release of this mandate as a sign of battle. However, her mother saw her restless desire for martyrdom and took her into the country. But the young saint soon figured out how to get out at night, and after a great deal of exhaustion, she reached Merida before dawn.

She appeared before the heartless judge, Dacian, as soon as the court met that morning and chastised him impiously for trying to destroy souls by forcing them to reject the one and only God.

The governor then ordered her to be taken into custody. Dacian first used caresses to show her the benefits of her birth, youth, and wealth as well as the sorrow her parents would experience if she disobeyed. He started to threaten her after realizing that these temptations were ineffective. He put the most heinous torture devices in front of her eyes and said, "All this you shall escape if you will but touch a little salt and frankincense with the tip of your finger."

She flung down the idol, trampled on the cake that was set out for the sacrifice, and spat at the judge after being provoked by these alluring compliments. Her youthfulness and inattention, combined with her fear of the traps that were set in front of her, were the only reasons for this behaviour.

Two executioners started tearing her delicate sides with iron hooks at the judge's command, exposing the bones themselves. She referred to the strokes as the trophies of Christ throughout this time. Her breasts and sides were then exposed to lit torches; beneath this agony, she uttered only thanksgivings rather than screams. The saint was smothered by the smoke and flames as the fire, which was finally grabbing her hair, encircled her head and face.

According to history, when the holy martyr died, a white dove appeared in her mouth and winged upward, frightening the executioners so much that they fled and left the body.

She is revered as the patroness of Oviedo, where her relics are kept.

Other Saints of the Day
St. Lucerius
St. Hildemar
St. Edmund Genings
St. Thomas of Farfa Abbey
St. Florentius of Carracedo