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St. Oliva of Brescia

Feast 03-05 · Canonized Pre-Congregation

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About

Saint Oliva of Brescia is honoured as an early Christian martyr who suffered death under the Emperor Hadrian around the year 138. According to the tradition preserved at Brescia, she was put to death for refusing to renounce her faith in Christ, joining the noble company of the martyrs of the second century.

Her relics have long been venerated at Saint Afra's Church in Brescia, Italy, where the faithful have gathered for centuries to honour her sacrifice. The church itself, one of the most ancient in the city, stands as a witness to the enduring devotion she has inspired.

Her feast is kept on March 5. Saint Oliva is remembered as one of the earliest witnesses to the Gospel in northern Italy, whose blood testifies to the faith of the first generations of Christians.

martyrs, martyr, martyrdom, martyred, witnesses, dying for the faith, christian martyrs, martyrs of the church, religious martyrs, persecuted to death, faithful martyrs, the oppressed, oppressed, oppression, the downtrodden, the marginalized, the exploited, the afflicted, oppressed people, victims of injustice, the subjugated, the persecuted, single women, single woman, unmarried women, single ladies, unmarried ladies, women living alone, single catholic women, single life women, spinsters, single girls

Suggested prayer

O God, who crowned the virgin Oliva with the palm of martyrdom under the persecution of Hadrian, grant through her intercession that we may remain steadfast in confessing your name whatever trials may come. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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