Saint Petronilla

Who they were

Petronilla was a virgin, probably martyred at Rome at the end of the first century. The early lists of venerated tombs place her grave on the Via Ardeatina beside Sts Nereus and Achilleus, which excavations in the catacomb of Domitilla have confirmed, finding the church built there over their tombs.

A painting from soon after 356 shows her, named 'Petronilla Martyr', welcoming a dead woman into heaven, proof that Rome venerated her as a martyr in the fourth century. Legend later made her a daughter of St Peter.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Petronilla has been honoured as a martyr since the fourth century.

Why that counted as sanctity

Petronilla is honoured as one of the earliest virgin martyrs of the Roman Church.

Connected on this site

• Perpetua Saint Parent, Mother
• Saint Peter Saint Parent
• Nereus and Achilleus Saint
  “The early lists of venerated tombs place her grave on the Via Ardeatina beside Sts Nereus and Achilleus, which excavations in the catacomb of Domitilla have confirmed, finding the church built there over their tombs.” — this site's research