said he would not execute the cruel sentence, but would make a pretence of burning a woman and would commit her again to the sea with her baby. This time the box floated to the mouth of the Tiber, and there she was found by two good old women who at once adopted her. Meantime the King of Castile returned in triumph from the war and was surprised that the viceroy and all the barons came out in deep mourning to meet him. When the truth became clear, he sent and burnt the monastery to the ground with his mother in it. He remained inconsolable for many years, but when his rage cooled he began to think he had committed a sin in killing his mother. He sent for the bishop and said that he had been too miserable for twelve years to think of Christ, but that now he wished to be restored by penance. The bishop said he must go to Rome and ask the Pope for absolution. King Robert sent an embassy to the Emperor to tell him his strange story and to announce his visit. Meantime he set off in the dress of a humble pilgrim.
Olive in her retreat heard that the Emperor proclaimed that he expected a visit from Robert, king of Castile. She schooled her son to go and present himself to his father. At his first appearance the king did not believe what the boy said, but finally Olive was restored to her father and her husband, and the child to his father and grandfather, and the Pope gave his blessing to them all.
This story occurs with variations in the literature of many countries. Only in Italy is the heroine called "Saint." Chaucer, in The Man of Law's Tale, gives her the name of Constance. Migne, Dic. des Légendes, has a similar narrative as La Belle Heleine. The legend appears in Hagen's Gesammtabenteuer and many other collections. Alessandro d'Ancona, La Rappresentazione di Santa Uliva, This last is a 16th century play occasionally acted, within living memory, under the olive trees in rural places, where sometimes for want of stage machinery and suitable costumes, each actor has a piece of paper pinned on the front of his hat, bearing the name of the character he personates. Signer d'Ancona's notes are of great interest.
St. Olive (4), Oliveria.
St. Olive (5), or Uliva of Palermo, June 20, V. Probably 9th century. One of the chief patrons of Palermo. Olive was a noble maiden of Palermo. At thirteen she was accused of being a Christian, before the Mohammedan ruler of Sicily. As she could not be turned from her religion, and as the Saracens were unwilling to put a lady of her rank to death, she was banished, apparently to Tunis. Here she worked miracles and made converts, wherefore she was scourged and sent into the forest. The wild beasts, instead of tearing her in pieces, became tame and gentle to her. About seven years after her banishment, some princes who were hunting in the woods, found this beautiful girl in that solitude. As they were going to take her, she said, "Touch me not, lest He who has protected me for seven years should take you and destroy you." They were converted and told these marvels to the governor of the place, who sent for the holy virgin and after many tortures had her beheaded. It is possible, however, that the martyrdom of St. Olive happened under the Vandals and not under the Saracens. AA.SS.
St. Olive (6) or Oliva, June 3. Date unknown. Patron of Anagni and Cori. Her high-born parents prepared a suitable marriage for her, but her only ambition was to be numbered among the spouses of Christ. She therefore fled to a church and took the veil. She outdid her sister nuns in every kind of asceticism, avoiding praise and bearing false accusations with meekness. Not content with ordinary self-tortures, she stuck thorns into her breast and would not pull them out until the wounds festered. R.M. AA.SS.
SS. Oliveria (Olive) and Liberata (4), Feb. 3, VV. 6th century. They were of good birth and disciples of St. Berthaldus. It is mentioned in his Life that, instructed by him, they left their house at Alta Villa and lived as hermits about six leagues off, in the forest of Chaumont, in Bassigny, where two healing fountains bear their names. AA.SS.
