Restituta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Restituta
Born	? Carthage or Bizerte, (Tunisia)
Died	AD 255 or 304 Tunisia
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast	17 May
Patronage	Lacco Ameno

Saint Restituta (also known as Santa Restituta of Africa) was a Christian saint and martyr. A martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs. She lived a long time ago, either in AD 255 or 304.

Restituta was from the Berber people in North Africa. She was born in Carthage or Teniza, which is now in Tunisia. She was killed for her faith during the time of Roman Emperor Diocletian. We don't know the exact place or date of her death. Some people believe she was part of a group called the Martyrs of Abitinae. They were North Africans who died for their faith in AD 304.

Her Story

There is an old story about Saint Restituta. It was first told in the 10th century. The story says that after she was hurt, Restituta was put on a boat. The boat was filled with flammable materials like oakum (loose fibers) and resin (a sticky substance from trees). The boat was then set on fire.

But Restituta was not harmed by the flames. She asked God for help. The story says that God sent an angel to guide her boat. The boat traveled to an island called Aenaria, which is now known as Ischia. She landed at a place called San Montano.

The story continues that a Christian woman named Lucina lived nearby. She had a dream about the angel and the boat. When she went to the beach, she found Restituta's body. It was glowing and looked perfect, even though she had died. Lucina gathered the people, and they buried the saint. She was buried at the foot of Monte Vico in Lacco Ameno. A very old church was built there to honor her. Today, it is a special place dedicated to her.

How She is Honored

Saint Restituta's story spread from North Africa to Italy. This happened when Catholics were forced to leave North Africa. This was during the time of Genseric, who was the king of the Vandals. He followed a different Christian belief called Arianism.

Her holy items, called relics, might have been brought to Naples in the 5th century. This was possibly done by Gaudiosus of Naples. He was also exiled from North Africa.

A church named Santa Restituta was built in her honor in Naples. This happened in the 6th century. Later, in the 13th century, this church became part of the Cathedral of Naples.

Saint Restituta is the patron saint of Lacco Ameno. This means she is considered a special protector of the town. People on the island of Ischia and in Lacco Ameno honor her greatly. They have a three-day celebration for her every year. It takes place from May 16 to May 18.

There is also a special underground room, or crypt, linked to Restituta. You can find it in Sardinia, in a city called Cagliari.

A writer named Alphonse de Lamartine was inspired by her story. In 1842, he wrote a poem called “Le lis du golfe de Santa Restituta dans l’ìle d’Ischia.” This means "The Lily of the Gulf of Santa Restituta on the Island of Ischia."