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Also known as: Patron of
Holy Souls
Profile
His middle-aged parents, Compagnonus de Guarutti and Amata de Guidiani,
were childless until a prayerful visit to a shrine of the original Saint
Nicholas at Bari, Italy. In gratitude, they named their son Nicholas.
Augustinian Friar at age 18, and a student with Blessed Angelus de
Scarpetti. Monk at Recanati and Macerata. Ordained at age 25. Canon of
Saint Saviour's. Had visions of angels reciting "to Tolentino"; he took
this as a sign to move to that city in 1274, where he lived the rest of
his life.
Worked as a peacemaker in a city torn by civil war. Preached every day,
wonder-worker and healer, and visited prisoners. He always told those he
helped, "Say nothing of this." Received visions, including images of
Purgatory, which friends ascribed to his lengthy fasts. Had a great
devotion to the recently dead, praying for the souls in Purgatory as he
traveled around his parish, and often late into the night.
Once, when severely ill, he had a vision of Mary, Augustine and Monica.
They told him to eat a certain type of roll that had been dipped in water.
Cured, he began healing others by administering bread over which he
recited Marian prayers. The rolls became known as Saint Nicholas Bread,
and are still distributed at his shrine.
Reported to have resurrected over one hundred dead children, including
several who had drowned together. Legend says that the devil once beat
Nicholas with a stick; the stick was displayed for years in the his
church. A vegetarian, Nicholas was once served a roasted fowl; he made the
sign of the cross over it, and it flew out a window. Nine passengers on
ship going down at sea once asked Nicholas' aid; he appeared in the sky,
wearing the black Augustinian habit, radiating golden light, holding a
lily in his left hand; with his right hand he quelled the storm. An
apparition of the saint once saved the burning palace of the Doge of
Venice by throwing a piece of blessed bread on the flames.
Born
1245 at Sant'Angelo, March of Ancona, diocese of Fermo
Died
10 September 1305 at Tolentino, Italy following a long illness; relics
rediscovered at Tolentino in 1926; in previous times they were known to
exude blood when the Church was in danger
Canonized
5 June (Pentecost) 1446 by Pope Eugene IV; over 300 miracles were
recognized by the Congregation
Patronage
animals, babies, boatmen, dying people, mariners, sailors, sick animals,
souls in purgatory, watermen
Representation
Augustinian giving bread to a sick person; Augustinian holding a container
of bread; Augustinian holding a container of money; Augustinian holding a
lily; Augustinian holding crucifix garlanded with lilies; Augustinian with
a star above him; Augustinian with a star on his breast; basket with bread
rolls; crucifix garlanded with lilies; lily
Readings
The heavens are not pure in the sight of Him Whom I serve; how then shall
I, a sinful man, stand before Him?
-Saint Nicholas
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