Mélanie la Jeune
v. 383-439 5th century Feast day: December 31
Letting go of possessions in order to become free again; the marriage bond widened into brotherhood.
Who was Mélanie la Jeune?
Born into one of the largest fortunes in Rome, married at fourteen, she lost both her children in infancy. With her husband Pinian she set about selling whole estates to free slaves and feed the poor, against her family's resistance. Driven from Italy by the invasion, she ended her life as a nun on the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem.
In their own words
If you wish, my lord, to live in continence with me and to dwell with me under the law of chastity, I name you lord and master of my own life. But if this seems too heavy for you, and you cannot bear the fire of youth, then see: all my goods lie before you; become their master from this moment and use them as you will. Only set my body free.
The burden of this life weighs very heavily on us, and while we are held in these things we are not able to take up the light yoke of Christ. Let us then lay down our riches quickly, so that we may gain Christ.
Let me rest now.