Asella of Rome

Saint Asella, also known as Osella and Ocella (c. 334–c. 406), was a Roman virgin and hermit who was a disciple and friend of Saint Jerome, who spoke of her in his writings. She was a member of a noble and wealthy Roman Christian family, perhaps the sister of Marcella, another ascetic and saint.

Life When Asella was ten years old, she heard St. Athanasius speak during his third and final visit to Rome, and that, already being a "pious child", inspired her to "dedicate her life to the service of Christ". As hagiographer Agnes Dunbar stated, "She worked with her hands and sang psalms". Fleury also said about Asella: "Her life was simple and regular, and in the midst of Rome led a life of perfect solitude".

After leaving Rome for the East in August 385, Jerome wrote to Asella from on board ship at Ostia to refute the calumnies by which he had been assailed, especially as regards his intimacy with Paula and Eustochium.

In 405, the bishop and historian Palladius of Galatia visited Rome and met Asella, who was 70 years old. He called her "the gentlest of women", and reported that she was in charge of a community of nuns. Asella died c. 406; her feast day is December 6.