December 31 Saint Melania the Younger (c. 383–439) Background: Saint Melania was a Roman noblewoman who, along with her husband, renounced their immense wealth to live a life of poverty and prayer. She founded monasteries and helped the poor in Jerusalem. Her life was marked by humility, charity, and devotion to God. How She Became a Saint: Saint Melania was recognized for her extraordinary life of renunciation, charity, and devotion. She distributed her immense wealth to the poor, founded monasteries, and lived a life of deep prayer and asceticism. Why She Was Chosen: The Church honored her as a saint because of her radical commitment to living the Gospel, particularly her care for the poor and her role in promoting monasticism in the Holy Land. Her life exemplifies humility, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Why December 31: The anniversary of her death in 439, her life is celebrated as an example of sacrificial love and commitment to Christ. 𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓮 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮