Sant'Olcese

Who they were

Olcese, also called Ursicino, was a French bishop of the 4th–5th century who fled Gaul during the Vandal invasions, around 407, together with Bishop Claro, taking refuge in the Valpolcevera area of Liguria. There he spent some years in penance and prayer, teaching the faith to the local people; the exact date of his death is unknown, but it is thought to have been around 410.

A legend tells how a bear that had been terrorising the area killed one of his oxen; Olcese blessed the bear with the sign of the cross, and it was tamed, lying at his feet and agreeing to pull the cart carrying materials for building the local church. The story is recalled in a large fresco on the façade of the church of Sant'Olcese, where his remains have rested since 1155.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

French bishop who fled the Vandal invasions to Liguria around 407 and is remembered for a legend of taming a bear; feast 22 January.