The story of the life-size oil painting on the altar wall of St. Faith’s chapel is both inspiring and heart wrenching. I was curious to know the story of this girl who inspired a number of chapels to be built in her honor throughout the 13th century.
Governor Dacien, Consul of Aquitaine, ruled his small corner of the Roman Empire without tolerance for anyone who defied Rome’s authority. His domain (in the southwest of France) was once occupied by Gaul’s Celtic tribes. These warriors fought like berserkers until the mighty Julius Caesar subdued the Gauls two and a half centuries before. Dacien certainly did not want to be the governor who broke the tradition of two-hundred and fifty years of peace. So when this new threat to Roman authority arose in his region, the Consul vowed to do whatever was necessary to squash the resistors.
In Caesar’s day it was the Celts who defied Rome. In Emperor Maximilian’s day it was the Christians. These followers of a Palestinian holy man named Jesus had caused ill for the Empire for centuries. They refused to acknowledge Roman law as the highest authority. Rome was tolerant of many religions and practices so long as Roman authority was recognized as superior to all others.
For a few months, the cult of Christians had been growing like a steady fire in Aquitaine. The Consul attempted to put it out. In the last few weeks, hundreds of citizens in the nearby Garonne Valley had been converted to Christianity, and it was causing all manner of upheaval in Aquitaine. Highbrow citizens were demanding something be done. It would not be long before the Emperor would hear of the conversions. These new Christians were calling this Jesus “Lord” instead of Caesar, and that would mean trouble for the Consul.
Curious of how to deal with the ‘Christian’ problem, the Consul decided to inquire of one and see how difficult it would be to turn them back to pagan superstitions and more importantly, Rome. He had a young Christian girl named Foy, about 13 or 14 years old, brought before him. She was a tall young woman, already stunning in her beauty. Her curly red hair illuminated her Celtic heritage. Surely she had much to live for. He wanted to show the leaders under his authority how easy it was to sway people away from this Jesus. With the smallest amount of intimidation he knew a tender creature like this girl could be turned.
Dacien started his interrogation of Foy by using logic. But she was more stubborn than he ever imagined. Within minutes he was screaming in her face. But the more he demanded that she turn from her Jewish God and sacrifice to pagan gods, the more obstinate she became.
He had her beaten with rods yet she would not give in. He tied her to a gridiron, threatening to roast her if she did not comply. She refused. Her beautiful steadfast brow inspired those witnessed her torture. What or who was inspiring this girl to stand in her love for this Jesus? The kindling was lit and as the flames encased her body like a blazing casket, Foy declared her love for Christ. Her persecutors then beheaded her.
Her body was buried and eventually a basilica was built over her burial site. By the 8th century the Benedictines were honoring her memory by spreading her story. St. Faith’s of Westminster was a private spot within the Abbey dedicated to this courageous young woman.
Author and Poet George F. Tull, inspired by the painting of St. Faith in the chapel, wrote a poem that seems an appropriate way to end this series.
Who Shall Find a Valiant Woman?
Swing open (wide enough for humble entry pilgrimwise)
This Sturdy door; be conscious here
Of safety and of peace, of more
Than just another chapel from an age
Of faith. Regard the strength that nerves this tall
Untroubled Saint, exhibiting her gridiron small,
Symbolic of her death; while she not overcome
By glory wears the simplest crown-
No still embroidered cloak, nor aureole;
We see her set, so comely and serene,
In mediaeval red and green
Where noises scarcely penetrate.
Pray with the artist monk in Benedictine black,
Whose silent words are here, perpetual record from
The heart of penitence, and depths of care;
Whose hands athwart long centuries, are joined in prayer
To be unburdened from his grievous sin
And make his peace with Christ.
His picture expiates enough,
St. Faith to whom he prays will not reject
The clear devotion of his offering,
Nor will the valiant woman be unmoved.
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