A little-known promoter of the Rosary

Romeo de Llivia was born in the last third of the 12th century in Llivia, Spanish Catalonia. He joined the Dominicans in 1217 and received the habit from St. Dominic himself. In 1218, he founded the convent of Lyon, France, with Arnaud of Toulouse. Serving as its prior from 1223 to 1228, he was known for his outstanding governing skills. He was also prior in Bordeaux, another French city.

His preaching skills were equally impressive. "One could not have found a more observant, mortified, modest, gentle and humble religious," his biographer said of him. The secret of this great holiness was his devotion to the Virgin Mary. It was because of Mary that he entered the Dominican order where the Virgin is greatly honored.

He said the Hail Mary at least 1000 times a day, using a knotted rope as a rosary. He was a great promoter of the rosary as a popular devotion. The mystery of the Incarnation was his principal contemplation. He could not help speaking of the Son of God made man and of his Mother in his sermons and talks.

He retired to the convent of Carcassonne, where he died at a very old age, on November 21, 1261, the day of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. In 1285, 24 years after his death, because of the numerous miracles happening at his tomb, his body was exhumed, found incorrupt and transferred to the church, in front of the altar of the Virgin.

Saint Romeo of Llivia is depicted holding a crown of roses in the middle of which shines the monogram of the Ave Maria. According to his biographer Bernard Gui, several miracles are attributed to his intercession, which made him a popular and admired saint. He was venerated as a blessed from the moment of his death. His feast day is on November 21, the date of his death.

Adapted and translated from:

https://bff-paroissevirtuelle.blogspot.com/2015/11/bienheureux-romeo-de-llivia-pretre.html