Blaesilla

Blaesilla (364–384), also known as Blesilla, was a Roman widow and a notable disciple of the scholar Jerome. Born into a prominent senatorial family in Rome, she was the eldest daughter of Paula of Rome and sister to Eustochium, both of whom were part of a group of wealthy Christian women who followed Jerome's teachings.

Life and Historical Context

Blaesilla was born into an aristocratic family and initially lived a life befitting her status, enjoying the social events and freedoms of young Roman noblewomen. She married Furius at the age of 18, but he died seven months later, leaving her a wealthy widow. Despite her youth, she continued to enjoy her freedom and wealth, spending lavishly on her appearance and social life. Jerome, who advocated for asceticism and fasting as spiritual disciplines to control the flesh and focus on God, chastised her for this "frivolous life."

A life-threatening fever marked a turning point in Blaesilla's life. Upon recovering, she became "a changed woman" and embraced a life of severe austerity and asceticism. She devoted herself to studying scripture, learning languages like Greek and Hebrew, and actively sought Jerome's intellectual guidance, demanding commentaries for her study. Jerome himself noted her intellectual brilliance, earnest prayers, and sharp intellect.

Blaesilla's asceticism intensified, involving plain clothing and extreme fasting. These practices, however, severely weakened her. Historians have suggested her behavior might have been influenced by depression and her response to a life-threatening illness. Her family became alarmed by her declining health, and she died within four months in 384, at the young age of 20.

Reactions to Her Death

Blaesilla's death ignited "bitter controversy" in Rome. Many Romans were outraged by her premature demise and blamed Jerome, accusing him of contributing to her death through his advocacy of extreme asceticism. This sentiment led to demands for Jerome's removal from Rome. Following the death of Pope Damasus I, an inquiry into Jerome's relationship with Paula forced him to leave Rome. He departed for Antioch and then Jerusalem, accompanied later by Blaesilla's mother and sister, who did not blame Jerome but believed Blaesilla had died in a state of grace.

Modern Interpretations

Modern researchers and writers have drawn parallels between Blaesilla's life and the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. She has been described as "this ancient woman who starved herself to death in the name of Christ" and potentially the "first victim of anorexia nervosa, described in the literature." Her extreme self-discipline and refusal of food have been compared to modern anorexic patients, with scholars suggesting that both pursued extreme self-control in the name of a "new, better identity" or spiritual transcendence.

Legacy

Blaesilla's influence is primarily known through Jerome's writings, which detailed her piety and virtue. She is also credited with inspiring Jerome to translate the book of Ecclesiastes. While not formally canonized in later centuries, her feast day is observed on January 22.