It's inspiring to get to know some of the many people who have achieved sanctity as part of adoptive families.
Though the official patron of adoptive families is St. William of Rochester, a 12th-century Scottish man who was murdered by his adopted son, there are a number of saints who had healthy adoptive relationships. These men and women can serve as intercessors for a beautiful and often difficult family situation.
St. Seraphia (d. 126) and St. Sabina (d. 127) had an unusual adoptive relationship. Seraphia was raised by Christian parents. When they died, she felt called to consecrate herself to the Lord; she sold all her possessions and then sold herself into slavery to the pagan Sabina in order to convert her mistress. Won over by her slave, Sabina freed Seraphia and adopted her as a daughter. After Seraphia was martyred, Sabina buried her and was martyred herself the following year.
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