Saint Olcese

Biography

Saint Olcese, also known as Ursicino or Ursicinus, was a Bishop in Gaul during the late 4th and early 5th century. He was born and raised in the region of Gaul, which is present-day France. Olcese dedicated his life to serving the Church and spreading the Gospel to the people of his region. In the year 407, the region where Olcese resided was invaded by the Vandals, a Germanic tribe. Faced with the turmoil and persecution, Bishop Olcese made the decision to flee his homeland and seek refuge in a village in the Liguria area of modern Italy. This village eventually came to be known as Sant'Olcese in his honor. In Sant'Olcese, Olcese chose to live as a prayerful hermit, dedicating himself to a life of solitude, contemplation, and evangelization. Despite living in isolation, he tirelessly worked to convert the people of the region, spreading the teachings of Christianity and sharing the message of God's love. One notable legend surrounding Saint Olcese recounts an encounter with a bear. It is said that a bear once killed one of a pair of oxen that were pulling a cart loaded with building materials for Saint Olcese. Surprisingly, the bear then turned toward Olcese, seemingly poised to attack. However, filled with faith and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Olcese blessed the bear and made the sign of the cross over it. Miraculously, the bear submitted to the saint's blessing and took the place of the ox it had just killed. The bear and the remaining ox then hauled the materials to the site where Olcese built a church, using these materials as an offering to God. Saint Olcese remained in Sant'Olcese for the remainder of his life, dedicated to the spiritual nourishment of the people. Through his prayers, teachings, and holy example, he guided the inhabitants of the village in their faith journey and led many to embrace Christianity. Saint Olcese died in the early 5th century in Sant'Olcese, Liguria, Italy of natural causes. His relics were known to have been enshrined in the local church in Sant'Olcese since at least 1155, serving as a reminder of his holy life and lasting impact on the community. Although Saint Olcese's representation is not recorded, his memory and sanctity were recognized by the Church. He was canonized a saint before the formal process of canonization known as Pre-Congregation began. However, despite not having a specific patronage associated with him, Saint Olcese continues to serve as an inspiration and a model of faith for all believers. The feast day of Saint Olcese is celebrated on the 22nd of January, a day dedicated to honoring his memory and commemorating his virtuous life.