Feast Day: February 6
Name Meaning: "A gift of God"
Patron Satin of: brewers, brides, florists, gardeners, midwives, newlyweds
St. Dorothy followed her parents' footsteps by being martyred for the Christian faith, most likely during the time of the Emperor Diocletian's persecution. St. Aldhelm relates that St. Dorothy was tortured at the hand of the governor in Caesarea due to her refusal to marry. She believed that Christ was her only spouse.
Two women who were sent to tempt Dorothy to renounce her faith were instead converted by her.
A well-known tradition relates that a lawyer named Theophilus taunted Dorothy on her way to her execution, which took place in the winter, telling her to send him some roses or apples "from the garden of her spouse."
Before Dorothy was executed, an angel in the form of a child appeared with a basket of roses with apples, and Dorothy sent the child with the basket to Theophilus. Upon receiving these gifts, he realized their divine origin and was converted to the Christian Faith. Eventually, he himself became a martyr for the faith.
In some countries fruit trees are blessed on her feast day because of her connection with a blooming fruitful miracle.
Prayer to Saint Dorothy
By the radiance of thy holy life thou didst draw the two sisters united in spirit into the Eternal Light; and didst send roses and apples from Paradise to Theophilus. O Dorothy, as fellow-contestants you were counted worthy of divine glory. Ask that we who praise you may receive the forgiveness of our sins. Amen.