Fusca

Baring-Gould: February · SS. FUSCA AND MAURA, MM.

[Roman Martyrology. It is doubtful whether these martyrs suffered under Caracalla, or under Decius. The Roman Martyrology says "under Decius;" the Acts are silent on this point. Baronius says under Decius, in the year 254; but Decius fell in 251. There exist several editions of the Acts, all apparently derived from the original authentic account of their passion, and differing from one another in no important particular.]

The blessed Fusca was a young girl of Ravenna, aged fifteen, who, with her nurse Maura, had been instructed in the faith of Christ, and had been baptized by S. Hermolaus. Her parents, who were heathens, were exceedingly annoyed, and endeavoured by persuasion and threats to turn their daughter from her confidence in God; and on one occasion her father was so far exasperated as to rush upon her to strike her, but the mother interposed and restrained him. The Præfect Quintianus, hearing of the conversion of Fusca, sent for her, together with her nurse, and having scourged her, ordered the executioner to run her through with his spear. The maiden fell into the arms of Maura, and the old woman, clasping her bleeding mistress, implored the man to despatch her also; this request was readily complied with, and the nurse and her young charge died together.

The relics of these holy martyrs are preserved at Torcelli. In Art they are represented holding a spear.

Biographical overview

Fusca may refer to: Fusca of Ravenna (died c. 250), child saint of the Roman Catholic Church Volkswagen Beetle, a 1938–2003 economy car (sold as the "Fusca" in Brazil) Volkswagen Beetle (A5), a 2011–2019 compact car (also sold as the "Fusca" in Brazil)

Martyrologium Romanum · Latin witness

Ravennae sanctarum Fuscae Virginis, ejusque nutricis Maurae, quae, Decio imperante, multa sub Quinctiano Praeside perpessae, demum gladio transfixae, martyrium consummarunt.