St Melania the Younger, d Dec 31 439, was one of the great women of the early church. In a life of varied experience she was a wife and mother, monk and hermit, pilgrim and spiritual director—all united in an underlying call to the spiritual life.

After the death of her children she convinced her husband to join her in a life of prayer and good works. At once they freed their 8000 slaves, sold their estates, and gave all to the poor. After establishing monasteries she retired to a hermitage in Bethlehem.