About St. Lydia
Businesswoman
She was a seller of purple goods. Her city and her trade tell us she was a woman of industry, intelligence and means. She dealt with the elite, wealthy and powerful. As such she had the grace of high society as well as the practical sense of an astute and confident businesswoman.
Woman of God
She was a woman of faith, a worshipper of God even before she encountered the saving truth of Jesus Christ. As a reward for her devotion to God, Scripture tells us that "the Lord opened her heart to give heed to" the proclamation of the Gospel. (Acts 16:14). Being stirred by the Holy Spirit, "she was baptized with her household." (Acts 16:15). She was the first to be baptized on the European content.
Faithful Servant
After leading her entire household to faith, she was inspired to minister to the Apostles and first Christians through hospitality and support. It can be legitimately said that Christianity began in Europe because of her Apostolate. Her support to the Church facilitated the spread of the Gospel in Philippi and wherever the Apostles went (Acts 16:40). Her home became a stable foundation where the Apostles and first Christians were cared for and encouraged. Pope Benedict XVI refers to her in his encyclical, "The Door of Faith" as a worthwhile example of faith and evangelization. Her feast day is August 3rd.