TARSILLA, saint. — Aunt of s. Gregorio Magno, to whom we owe the few details that are known. She is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on 24 December.
Having consecrated herself to EMILIANA, SANTA (v.) and Gordiana, she lived in continual penance and prayer, to such an extent that she bore the marks of them on her knees and elbows. As she was nearing death, Pope Felice III, her relative, appeared to her and foretold her imminent end, which took place shortly before Christmas, accompanied by supernatural signs. A few days later T. appeared to her sister Emiliana, announcing that they would celebrate the feast of the Epiphany together; shortly afterward Emiliana also died.
BIBL.: s. Gregorio Magno, Homiliae in Evang., II, 38; PL. 77, 348; id., Dialoghi, IV, 16; Martyr. Romanum, p. 500. Agostino Amore