Saint Triduna

Biography

Saint Triduna, also known as Trallen, Tredwall, Triduana, Trolla, and Trollhaena, was an eighth-century consecrated virgin who worked alongside Saint Regulus in Scotland. Born in Colossae, Asia Minor, she dedicated her life to the service of God and became renowned for her unwavering faith. Legend tells the story of Saint Triduna's remarkable sacrifice. A young nobleman became infatuated with the beauty of her eyes and began pursuing her relentlessly. In order to escape his advances and live a life devoted solely to God, Saint Triduna went into hiding. However, the nobleman's obsession with her eyes persisted. In an act of extreme devotion, Saint Triduna plucked out her own eyes and sent them to the nobleman. She impaled them on a pin, symbolizing her desire to forsake everything worldly and fully dedicate herself to the religious life. This act showcases her exceptional commitment to her faith and willingness to make sacrifices for her beliefs. Following this extraordinary display of devotion, Saint Triduna's reputation as a saintly woman grew, and her life became an inspiration to many. Her shrine quickly became a center of devotion and pilgrimage, attracting crowds of faithful who sought her intercession. Unfortunately, the shrine of Saint Triduna met a tragic fate during the Scottish Reformation in 1560. The growing influence of Protestantism led to the destruction of numerous Catholic religious sites, including her shrine. However, despite the loss of her physical shrine, Saint Triduna's memory and legacy continued to resonate among the faithful. Although there is limited information available regarding Saint Triduna's representation, pre-congregation, and specific patronages, her feast day is celebrated on the 8th of October. As a pre-congregation saint, the process of her canonization predates the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Overall, Saint Triduna's life serves as a powerful example of sacrifice, devotion, and unwavering faith. Her courage to forgo her eyes as a symbol of her commitment to live a religious life remains an awe-inspiring testament to her devotion to God. Despite her shrine's destruction, her memory lives on, inviting the faithful to seek her intercession and exalting her as a remarkable saint of the Catholic Church.