ON ST. OLIVA, VIRGIN MARTYR, AT BRESCIA IN ITALY.
CommentaryOliva, Virgin Martyr, at Brescia and Salò in Italy (St.)
Among other kindnesses that Ferdinand Ughelli, Abbot of SS. Vincent and Anastasius at the Aquae Salviae, who is most renowned throughout the world for having illustrated sacred Italy in eight volumes, rendered to us at Rome, we acknowledge that through his benevolence we obtained the Martyrology of the holy Church of Brescia, in which the following is read: On the third day before the Nones of March, the Birthday at Brescia of St. Oliva,
Virgin and Martyr, the martyrdom of St. Oliva V., who under the Emperor Hadrian and the Count Aurelian obtained the crown of martyrdom through various torments for the name of Christ. relics at Brescia, Her holy body is kept in the church of St. Afra. And then these things are added: The memory of this St. Oliva, Virgin and Martyr, has been recorded in this manner. In the year of salvation 1597, a certain priest, who could not obtain an ecclesiastical benefice rightfully owed to him because of the power of his adversaries, and on account of which he had squandered almost his entire patrimony, promised a precious gift as a vow, favors for clients, if he should obtain the benefice. Wherefore, having easily recovered the benefice, he offered with all reverence and devotion a golden apple of olive with berries to the relics of that Virgin, which lie in the church of the Capuchins of the Order of Friars Minor at Salò. Thus far that source.
Salò, otherwise called Salona Longa, commonly known as Salo, relics also at Salò. is a spacious, elegant, and commercially renowned town in the territory of Brescia, on the western shore of Lake Garda, from which the neighboring small region has received its name.