ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER
Saints celebrated on the 10th of September
SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO, RELIGIOUS
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino was born at Sant' Angelo, near Fermo, about 1246; he died September 10, 1306.
IMAGES OF ST NICHOLAS
He is depicted in the black habit of the Hermits of Saint Augustine, a star above him or on his breast, a lily, or a crucifix garlanded with lilies, in his hand. Sometimes, instead of the lily, he holds a vial filled with money or bread.
His parents, said to have been called Compagnonus de Guarutti and Amata de Guidiani (these surnames may merely indicate their birthplaces), were pious folk, perhaps gentle born, living content with a small substance. Nicholas was born in response to prayers, his mother a model of holiness.
HE FELT A CALL TO EMBRACE RELIGIOUS LIFE
He excelled so much in his studies that even before they were over he was made a canon of St Saviour’s church; but hearing a sermon by a hermit of Saint Augustine upon the text: "Nolite diligere mundum, nec ea quae sunt in mundo, quia mundus transit et concupiscentia eius", he felt a call to embrace the religious life. He besought the hermit for admittance into his order. His parents gave a joyful consent.
Even before his ordination he was sent to different monasteries of his order as a model of generous striving after perfection. He made his profession before he was nineteen.
HE KEPT UP HIS MORTIFICATIONS ALMOST TO THE HOUR OF DEATH
After his ordination he preached with wonderful success, notably at Tolentino, where he spent his last thirty years and gave a discourse nearly every day.
Towards the end diseases tried his patience, but he kept up his mortifications almost to the hour of death.
AN ANGELIC MEEKNESS
He possessed an angelic meekness, a guileless simplicity, and a tender love of virginity, which he never stained, guarding it by prayer and extraordinary mortifications. He was canonised by Pope Eugene IV in 1446; his feast is celebrated on September 10. His tomb, at Tolentino, is held in veneration by the faithful.
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913
His prayers are invoked for animals, pets, and also for babies.
PRAYER:
May the intercession of Saint Nicholas commend us to you, so that through his merits we may obtain that which we cannot accomplish by our own. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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