Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org St. Julia was a pious Carthaginian girl who, after being captured from her city, was sold as a slave to a pagan merchant. She accepted her slavery without complaint and remained fervent in her devotion to God. One day while accompanying her master on a trip to France, Julia refused to attend a pagan festival, saying she wanted nothing to do with those superstitious ceremonies. The governor of that region was very angry with her for not joining in the pagan feast. "Who is that woman who dares to insult our gods?" he cried. Julia's master answered that she was a Christian and, although she would not give up her religion, Julia was an exemplary servant. The governor attempted to trade other slaves for Julia, but her master refused. When the merchant was asleep, however, the wicked governor tried to force Julia to make a sacrifice to the gods. Although the governor promised to set her free, Julia refused. She said she was as free as she wanted to be as long as she could serve Jesus. The governor, in great anger, had her tortured and put to death. St. Julia’s feast day is May 23rd.