Feast of Santa Restituta

Santa Restituta, ora pro nobis

May 17th is the Feast of Santa Restituta, Virgin, Martyr, and patroness of Lacco Ameno in northwestern Ischia. According to tradition, in 284 AD, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Santa Restituta was tortured and sentenced to death for her faith and piety. Brought out to sea, she was placed in a small boat, lashed to a pyre and set aflame. However, a strong wind blew the burning pitch onto her executioners' ship, consuming their vessel in flames instead. She died from her wounds while adrift. 

[An alternate version of her martyrdom states that she was cast overboard with a millstone tied around her neck. Miraculously recovered, the stone is said to be embedded into the wall of the Chiesa di Santa Restituta in Lacco Ameno.]

An angel safely guided the raft from the coast of Abitina (near Carthage) across the Mediterranean Sea to the shores of San Montano just outside Lacco Ameno. Her incorrupt body, resting on a bed of sea daffodils (pancratium maritime), was discovered by a Christian matron named Lucina, who was foretold of the martyr's arrival in a dream. Collecting her remains, the locals buried Santa Restituta at the foot of Monte Vico, where a small sanctuary was dedicated to her. 

In 812 the sanctuary was sacked during a Saracen incursion, but miraculously they were unable to carry off her gilded statue. In a rage an infidel struck the statue with his scimitar, leaving a gash still visible today. It's believed the corsair was paralyzed by the saint for his offense. Deserted by his comrades, the pirate was unable to escape with his spoils. His fate is unknown.

Several years later, her relics were translated to the Basilica in Naples to prevent them from being further desecrated by Muslim slavers. Incorporated into the Gothic Duomo di San Gennaro in the 13th century, the Basilica (now Cappella) di Santa Restituta was the oldest church in Naples. Dating from the 4th century, the Basilica was built on the orders of Emperor Constantine. Popular allegations that the church was erected over a temple to Apollo may be unfounded.(1)

In celebration, I'm posting a prayer to Santa Restituta. The accompanying photo was taken at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary and Saint Stephen's Church in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Evviva Santa Restituta!

Prayer to Santa Restituta

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of Santa Restituta may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate her festival, we may also imitate her actions. Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of Santa Restituta protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Notes: 

(1) Apolline Project Vol. 1: Studies on Vesuvius' North Slope and the Bay of Naples edited by Girolamo F. De Simone and Roger Macfarlane, Università Degli Studî Suor Orsola Benincasa Brigham Young University 2009, p. 250. See Google Books