OLIMPIO, FRANCESCO, venerable. - Theatine ascetical writer, b. in Napoli on 5 Aug. 1559, d. there on 21 Feb. 1639.
He was distinguished by his holy life, rich in works of charity and apostolate and marked by divine charisms. He was especially notable for spreading devotion to the Immacolata Concezione through the pious practices of “Marian slavery” and the Coroncina of the twelve privileges of Maria. His cause of beatification has been introduced.
He wrote: Breve esercizio da farsi da quelli li quali vivono sotto il titolo di Schiavi incatenati della Madre di Dio...
(Palermo 1627); Coronciua della B. Vergine Maria e modo di proticarla (Napoli n.d.); translated into Greek and Latin, it was disseminated among the Eastern peoples by Theatine missionaries.