Detail Of An Antique Italian Holy Card Of Blessed Limbania Date And Artist Unknown

Blessed Limbania

Blessed

Post-Congregation

Feast Day

16 June; 16 August (church of Saint Thomas in Genoa, Italy); 18 August (Diocese of Genoa, Italy); 6 September (Augustinians); 15 August on some calendars

Born

Late 12th century Cyprus

Died

Early 13th century Genoa, Italy of natural causes; she was reported to have been found kneeling, her arms out-stretched, and a heavenly glow filling her little cell; the old church of San Tommaso was destroyed in the 19th century; Limbania’s relics were combined with those of other saints in a single urn, and enshrined in the church‘s newly built sanctuary in Voltri, Italy; relics re-enshrined in the church of Santa Limbania in 1985

Beatified

Head enshrined at the church of San Tommaso in Genoa, Italy c.1294, indicating that popular devotion was already established; a canonical investigation into miracles attributed to her was begun in 1344; an altar was consecrated in her name in 1432; Augustinian nuns took over the church of San Tommaso in 1509, and mistakenly thought that Limbania was an Augustinian; a church bell was cast with her effigy in 1562; a book about her first appear in 1600; 6 March 1609 by Pope Paul V (cultus confirmation)

Biography

Blessed Limbania was born in the late 12th century to a wealthy and noble family in Cyprus. Despite her family's efforts to arrange a proper marriage for her, Limbania felt a strong call to religious life from a young age. At the age of 12, she made a daring escape from her family and embarked on a ship bound for Genoa, Italy.

Cause for Canonization

Beatified

Beatified1609-03-06 by Head enshrined at the church of San Tommaso in Genoa, Italy c.1294, indicating that popular devotion was already established; a canonical investigation into miracles attributed to her was begun in 1344; an altar was consecrated in her name in 1432; Augustinian nuns took over the church of San Tommaso in 1509, and mistakenly thought that Limbania was an Augustinian; a church bell was cast with her effigy in 1562; a book about her first appear in 1600; 6 March 1609 by Pope Paul V (cultus confirmation)