NOEMI. - Wife of Elimelech, of Bethlehem, Ruth (v.); in Heb. No'ōmī, “gracious,” an appellation occurring in the poem of 'Anat (IV AB, 2, 16; 3, 11; C. Virolleaud, in Syria, 17 [1936], p. 150 ff.), in the texts of Rās Samrah.
Driven by famine, Elimelech, with N. and their two sons, takes refuge in Moab, where he dies. The sons marry two Moabite women, and they too die. N. decides to return to her homeland and urges her daughters-in-law Orpha and Ruth to provide for themselves by returning to their families. Ruth does not abandon her and comes with her to Bethlehem. N. thinks of establishing her devoted daughter-in-law and succeeds in marrying her to Booz, her wealthy relative. At the birth of Obed, N. receives the congratulations of the women of Bethlehem; she adopts the child and becomes his nurse (Ruth 1-4). N. is an example of trust and humble submission to divine Providence, and of maternal solicitude.
(from G. Chierici Ambrosiano, Scritti di storia, archeologia ed arte pubblicati nel XVI centenario della nascita di S. Ambrogio, Milano 1918, p. 317)
NOLA, DIOCESI di - General plan of the group of basilicas of S. Felice, the SS. Martiri, S. Calionio, and the Nuova - Cimitile.