Saint Felix of Nola

Saint Felix was a native of Nola, Italy. His father, Hermias, was a Syrian who had served in the army and settled in a Roman colony in Campania. Hermias had two sons, Felix and Hermias, to whom he left his estate upon death. While the younger brother, Hermias, chose to pursue a military career, Felix decided to dedicate his life to serving Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and distributed most of his possessions among the poor. Felix was later ordained a priest by Maximus, the Bishop of Nola. Felix's virtue and prudence impressed Maximus, making him his right-hand man.

In the year 250, during the persecution initiated by Emperor Decius, Bishop Maximus was forced to retreat into the desert. Felix, who managed affairs in Maximus's absence, was captured by the persecutors. He was scourged and thrown into a dungeon. One night, an angel appeared to him in prison and instructed him to aid Maximus, who was in dire distress. Miraculously, Felix's chains fell off, and the door to the dungeon opened. The angel guided Felix to where Maximus lay in hunger and cold, speechless and unconscious. Seeing the Bishop's condition, Felix realized he could do nothing but pray. While at prayer, he found before him a bunch of grapes. He squeezed some of the grapes into the holy Bishop's mouth. The Bishop regained his consciousness, and according to his wish, Felix carried him on his shoulders to the church in the city. 

Till the death of Emperor Decius, Felix remained hidden. When he finally reappeared publicly, people had difficulty recognizing him. His visible zeal quickly attracted the attention of his persecutors, forcing him to hide once more for six months between the ruins of two houses, where water was scarce. After peace was restored, Felix re-emerged into public life. He began to tend to his land, which had been left to him after his property was confiscated by his enemies. Following the death of Maximus, the people urged Felix to take the bishopric, but he declined, and instead, Quintinus was elected as the new Bishop. Felix lived to a very old age and died in the year 260.

St. Felix, may your prayers help us to remain steadfast in our faith even in the face of life's trials and tribulations."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.