St. Nicholas of Tolentino was born in 1245 in Sant'Angelo, Pontano. A studious, kind, and gentle youth, at the age of 16, Nicholas became an Augustinian novice and was a student of the Blessed Angelus de Scarpetti. He was ordained in 1270 at 25 and soon became known for his preaching and teachings. Nicholas, who had visions of angels reciting to "Tolentino" in 1274, took this as a sign to move to that city, where he lived the rest of his life. Nicholas worked to counteract the decline of morality and religion, which came with the development of city life in the late thirteenth century. Nicholas was primarily a pastor to his flock. Nicholas was a man filled with compassion and charity toward his brothers in the monastery, great hospitality to visitors, and generous attention to all in need. At the same time, his life of prayer and recollection, of penance and fidelity to the common life, won the admiration of all. He was a noted preacher of the Gospel. He gave special attention to those who had fallen away from the Church. He is said to have cured the sick with bread over which he had prayed to Mary, the Mother of God. He gained a reputation as a wonder worker.
One day, having fasted for a long time, Nicholas was physically weak. While at prayer, Jesus told him to eat some bread marked with a cross and soaked in water to regain his strength. Thus arose the Augustinian custom of blessing and distributing St. Nicholas Bread in his memory. Another story relates that Nicholas, asleep in bed, heard the voice of a deceased friar he had known. This friar told Nicholas that he was in Purgatory and urged him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and other souls there so they would be set free by the power of Christ. Nicholas did so for seven days. The friar again spoke to Nicholas, thanking him and assuring him that many souls were now with God; because of this, Nicholas was proclaimed patron of the souls in Purgatory. He is also considered the patron saint against epidemic disease and against fires. Nicholas died in 1305 after a long illness. People began immediately to petition for his canonization. Pope Eugene IV canonized him in 1446, and his relics were rediscovered in 1926 at Tolentino.
Almighty God, your glory shone upon the Church through the holiness and miracles of St. Nicholas of Tolentino. In answer to his prayers, keep your holy people in peace and unity.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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