According to St. Gregory the Great (Dial. IV, ch. xiii) she was the daughter of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus the younger, a learned and virtuous patrician of Rome, whom Theodoric had unjustly condemned to death.

Becoming a widow before the end of the first year of her married life, legend says she grew a beard to avoid further offers of marriage.

Wealthy and pious recluse on Vatican Hill, joining with a community of women near Saint Peter's Basilica, caring for the poor and sick, she founded a convent and hospital. Reputed to have once healed a young deaf and mute girl by blessing some water, and having the girl drink from it.

She died ca.550 of breast cancer.