Saint Nicholas of Tolentino was born in Italy in 1245. He entered the local Augustinian convent where he learned as a student and then became a priest. He was sent to Tolentino where he spent most of his life in ministry. He was widely known for his captivating sermons, his dedication as a confessor, and his service to the poor and the sick. Moved by deep charity, he would visit the poorest neighborhoods, care for the dying and tend to both the material and spiritual needs of the people.
The people of Tolentino knew that Father Nicholas was a holy man. He was very self-disciplined but showed love and compassion for others. One major gift he was known for was a vision in which he saw the poor souls of Purgatory telling him to celebrate a mass for them. A week following the vision, he saw them going up to heaven. This joyous vision is what defined Father Nicholas, and for this reason, the Church named him the patron Saint of the poor souls in Purgatory.
His devotion led him to celebrate mass at the earliest hours of the morning, which was not common at the time for priests to celebrate so frequently. He was also devoted to daily confession, so that he would have the purest heart possible when approaching the altar.
When he was near death, someone asked him why he was so serene. Saint Nicholas replied, “Because my God and Lord Jesus Christ, with His Holy Mother and my Holy Father Augustine, are saying to me, ‘Come, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’”
Today we pray especially for those holy souls in purgatory, that Saint Nicholas of Tolentino will intercede for them. May they rest in God’s love in eternal paradise with his Holy Saints.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God,
You gave us Saint Nicholas as an example of deep devotion to You.
Teach us to love our neighbors with his example of charity and compassion,
because in loving and serving them, we are loving and serving You.
Help us in our daily struggles;
Purify our desires, and transform our distractions
into ways of glorifying Your name.
Give us the grace to ask for your forgiveness in every error,
And like Saint Nicholas, strive to be closer to You,
that we might one day enter Your joy. Amen.
Saint Nicholas, pray for us.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tomorrow’s saint of the day is Saint Jean-Gabriel Perboyre.
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