LIBERATA, Saint. — Unknown to the most ancient hagiographic tradition, she was nevertheless greatly venerated in the Middle Ages; the very existence of Liberata is much debated and problematic. It seems that she is one of the many names under which the hypothetical Saint Wilgefortis (q.v.) was venerated in the northern regions of Europe.
There exists, however, a dual tradition that makes of Liberata either a Spanish martyr or an Italian virgin nun. In the Spanish legend, Liberata was the daughter of a pagan king named Catellio, whose wife Calisia gave birth in a single delivery to nine daughters, among whom was Liberata. Fearing her husband, Calisia had the girls taken away and entrusted to different wet nurses, who raised them as Christians. When persecution later broke out, the girls were arrested and brought before their father’s tribunal. He recognized them and tried to make them renounce their faith in order to save them, but in vain. He then granted them time to reconsider, but the young women took advantage of this to flee. They were, however, found and killed. Liberata’s body was transferred to Sigüenza, where she is venerated on July 20.
According to the Italian tradition, on the other hand, Liberata was the daughter of a certain Giovanni, lord of Moncenisio. One day, seeing together with her sister Faustina a poor widow accused of causing her husband’s death, and moved by compassion, she decided to renounce marriage and consecrate herself to God. Liberata and Faustina fled from home and, accompanied by a monk, went to Como, where Bishop Agrippinus received them among the virgins of the new Benedictine community. They are said to have died a holy death on January 18 and 15, respectively, in the year 580.