Baring-Gould’s sources: Roman Martvrology. Bede, Usuardus, &c. Authority: — The ancient and apparently trustworthy Acts in Baluze: Misc. t it] Mary was a slave in the house of Tertullus, a Roman senator. She was the only Christian in his household. Her Nov. i.] S. Mary.

…refusal to associate with the other slaves in heathen rites attracted attention, and caused her much annoyance from her fellow-servants. Her mistress was also angry with her, and ill-treated her, but Tertullus was much attached to her on account of her fidelity, and the promptitude which distinguished her from the other slaves in the execution of her duties. When the bloody edicts of Diocletian [Roman emperor 284–305, who began the ‘Great Persecution’ of Christians in 303] appeared, Tertullus entreated her to submit to necessity, and do sacrifice with the rest of his slaves. But Mary could not be moved. Her master, fearing lest he should lose her altogether if it came to the ears of the prefect that he harboured a Christian slave, had her beaten and shut up in a dark room, partly in hopes of overcoming her resistance, and partly to keep her concealed. She was scantily fed with bread and water. But the report of what Tertullus had done reached the ears of the prefect, and he sent for Tertullus, and rebuked him for concealing a Christian in his house. Tertullus explained the circumstances, and the magistrate dismissed him with the order that Mary should be sent to him forthwith. Tertullus was therefore reluctantly obliged to deliver her up into the hands of the officers. The magistrate questioned her, and as she persisted in her assertion that she was a Christian, the people clamoured that she should be burned alive. Then she said, “The God whom I serve is with me. I fear not your tortures, which can only rob me of that life which I am willing to offer in sacrifice for Jesus Christ"

The poor woman was then tortured with such cruelty that the spectators, who had before clamoured for her punishment, now entreated that her sufferings might be terminated. She was accordingly given over to a soldier, who was required to take charge of her. The man connived at her making her escape, and she hid herself among rocks till the persepution of Diocletian was over. She died a natural death, but is reckoned among the martyrs because she endured the agonies of martyrdom without the final consummation of it; and it is probable that her death was accelerated by the treatment she had received.