a year of prayer: 365 Rosaries

Today, June 10, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Olivia of Palermo (ninth century), holy Virgin and martyr of the Church. While it is commonly believed that Blessed Olivia is a fictitious character, whose story reached prominence in the early Church when it was mistaken as biography, she has been venerated as Blessed since that time. As with many of the early Church saints, lessons may be learned from their virtuous lives—lessons which strengthen our faith today and remind us of the importance of Christian virtue.


Not much is known specifically about the life of Blessed Olivia. Her legend states that she was a beautiful young woman of approximately thirteen years old, who had been born and piously raised in Palermo, Sicily. When she reached her thirteenth year, invading Muslims from Tunisia, Africa, kidnapped her from her noble home, and took her with them back to Africa. There, she was made to serve as a slave, which she did with cheerfulness, obedience, and diligence.

She was observed to go about her duties—some the most undesirable and menial—with a song in her heart. She was frequently heard singing and writing songs, which is why today she is considered the patroness of music by some.

Eventually, her captors were so impressed with her attitude, virtue, chastity, and beauty, they freed her from her servitude, allowing her to take up residence in a nearby cave and live as a hermitess. There, she spent her days in prayer and penance, and was the recipient of heavenly visions. Local residents sought her out for pious advise, miraculous cures, and instruction in the faith. Through her witness, many were brought to Christianity, which later angered local leaders. Eventually, due to her influence with the people, she was imprisoned, tortured, and subsequently executed for her faith. Sentenced to be burned alive, her torturers grew fearful when she was unharmed by the flames that leapt around her. Blessed Olivia was then beheaded, earning her the glorious crown of the martyrs. At the moment of her death, her soul was observed flying to heaven, in the form of a pure white dove.

Blessed Olivia continues to be venerated today, especially in Carthage and Palermo (where she is one of four patrons, alongside Saint Agatha, Saint Christina, and Saint Nympha). She continues to be held in great esteem in Tunisia, where the great mosque is named for her. Tunisian Muslims, to this day, assert that any who speaks ill of Blessed Olivia is always punished by the Lord.

The name Olivia is a symbol of peace, fruitfulness, dignity, and beauty. We are inspired today, through her pious legend, to embrace these virtues of our faith, and live them visibly for all to see.



Holy Virgin of the Lord, Olivia, pray that after we are gone from this life that the memory of our purity remains. Amen.



Year 2: Day 161 of 365
Prayer Intentions: For the ability to live virtuously.
Requested Intentions: Restoration of health (D); Successful employment for couple (N); For employment for children (K); For health of friend, for successful relationships for children, for safe pregnancy for daughter (C); For the health of a mother (J); Virtue for daughter (V); Successful acceptance to college for nephew (M); For the health of a cousin (T); Freedom from legal difficulties for husband (S); Husband’s freedom from illness (L); Personal intentions (S); Successful passing of dental board examination (P); Blessings on a family (Z); Successful permanent employment (C); Healing of a son with autism (J); Son’s successful employment (L); For the intentions of family and relatives, for the Carthusian community (T); For personal intentions (A); Restoration of lost hearing (C); Resolution of relational and financial challenges (S); Comfort following loss of husband, security for family, assistance with housing (B); Healing and return of brother (O); Successful hermitage foundation (S); Support from family, permission to marry (H); Recovery of wife following surgery, freedom from depression (W); Protection and recovery of mentally ill daughter (J); Successful resolution to legal proceedings (N); Freedom from worry and successful employment (M); For successful sale of home and freedom from debt (J); Freedom from pain and illness (E).