Olivia Colafella

Mr. Bayardi

Religion III

3/20/17

Saint Olivia of Palermo

Saint Olivia was described as a beauty of 13 years old. Saracens captured her at Palermo,

Sicily during the 9th century until she was deported to Tunis, Africa. She was often heard singing

or seen writing songs while she was being held captive. She was able to live in a nearby cave

until her captors heard she was converting Muslims to Christianity. She spent her days in prayer

and and penance. Many people came to visit her and were converted to Catholicism. Her captors

wanted to get rid of her, but also feared her power. They abandoned her in a forest and left her

for the beasts. Hunters found her and took her as their slave. She was able to convert them to

Christianity. Muslim authorities arrested, tortured, and beheaded her. The original plan was to

burn her alive, but her torturers were afraid when the flames did not harm her. When she died,

her soul flew to heaven in the form of a dove. She was honored in Carthage and Palermo, and the

mosque of Tunis is called the Mosque of Olivia. Other saints that are also patrons of these places

are Saint Agatha, Saint Christina, and Saint Nympha. Tunisian Muslims say that who speaks ill

of her is punished by God. She is the patron saint of music and Palermo, Italy. She lived in

Brescia, Italy, during the second century while Hadrian was emperor. She is known as a holy

virgin. The name Olivia comes from the Latin word for olive. Saint Olivias feast day in on June

10th. She is believed to be a fictional character, made during the early years of the church. The

name Olivia is a symbol of peace, fruitfulness, dignity, and beauty.