Saint Obitius

Saint Obitius
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

Saint Obitius (Italian: Sant'Obizio) (February 4, c. 1150 - December 6, c. 1204) was an Italian saint. He was born in Niardo, in the 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 Saint Margaret as a youth, and displayed an image of this virgin martyr and his armorial device.

His family had connections with the local religious community. An uncle had founded two monasteries and another relative had befriended Saint Constantius (San Costanzo), 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.

An event led Obitius to abandon his military career. On July 7, 1191, at the Battle of the Malamorte, on the Oglio River, in Brescian territory, Obitius was leading an army against the Bergamaschi. The Bergamese retreated across a wooden bridge, and they were pursued by Obitius and his fellow knights. The collective weight of the soldiers, the knights’ armor, and the knights' horses caused the bridge to collapse, and Obitius and all the combatants plunged into the water. According to his legend, while he was in the water, he had a terrifying vision of Hell. Obitius managed to escape from drowning and thereafter decided to dedicate himself to a spiritual life. Despite resistance to this idea from his family, Obitius’ determination eventually swayed them, and two of his children, Margherita and Maffeo, also became a nun and monk, respectively.

Obitius lived in completely poverty, penance, and prayer and dedicated himself to working for a Benedictine convent. In 1197, he was eventually allowed to become an oblate in the monastery of Santa Giulia in Brescia. Obitius spent the rest of his life at the monastery, performing various acts of charity. Miracles were attributed to him. He was buried with great honor at the monastery church of Santa Giulia in Brescia.