09/01/2026
"to the soul of the innocent and pure Vibiana"
St. Vibiana, Virgin and Martyr
Principal Patroness of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The remains of St. Vibiana were rediscovered on December 9, 1853, in ancient catacombs near the Appian Way. Unlike many of the so-called “catacomb saints” who didn’t even have names, the inscription on Vibiana’s tomb gave her name, the day of her death (August 31), the symbolic laurel wreath of martyrdom, and indicated she was “innocent and pure,” (Virgin and Martyr). Inside the tomb, her body and what was presumed to be a vessel of blood were found inside. Since early Christians collected as much of a martyr’s blood as possible, this was considered additional evidence that this young woman was a virgin-martyr from the third century and should be venerated as a saint.
The following year Bl. Pope Pius IX gave her relics — blood, tomb inscription, and body — to Thaddeus Amat, the newly appointed Bishop of Monterrey, California. So St. Vibiana set sail for America.
After a stop in Santa Barbara, she moved into the cathedral built for her in Los Angeles in 1880, where her relics were placed inside a wax effigy in a glass casket above the altar.
She is now commemorated every Sep. 1st and the Dedication of the Cathedral the day after on Sep. 2nd.
Prayer
O God, the giver of all good gifts, in Your servant Vibiana You joined the flower of virginity with the palm of martyrdom; be pleased, by her intercession, to join our souls by charity to You, so that all dangers being removed, we may obtain our eternal reward. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
Saint Vibiana, pray for the City of Los Angeles !
