Saint Obitius | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Reliquary and altar of St. Obitius, Niardo. | |
| Born | February 4, ~1150 AD Niardo |
| Died | December 6, ~1204 AD |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1600 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Clement VIII |
| Major shrine | Niardo |
| Feast | December 6; February 4 |
| Attributes | depicted as a warrior on horseback |
| Patronage | Niardo |
Obitius (Italian: Sant'Obizio) (February 4, c. 1150 - December 6, c. 1204) was an Italian saint. He was born in Niardo, in the province of Brescia, around 1150 (tradition holds that the day was February 4). His father, Gratiadeus (Graziodeo), was a knight and governor of Valcamonica. Obitius was devoted to Margaret the Virgin as a youth, and displayed an image of this virgin martyr and his armorial device.[1]
His family had connections with the local religious community. An uncle had founded two monasteries and another relative had befriended Constantius of Perugia, the other patron saint of Niardo. Obitius nevertheless became a knight and married the countess Inglissenda Porro, with whom he had four children: Jacopo, Berta, Margherita, and Maffeo. Obitius had a successful military career as a knight, and participated in the wars between Cremona and Brescia.[1]