June 8, 2025 - "Saint Nicholas of Tolentine"

Nicholas Gurutti was born in 1245 in Sant’Angelo, Pontano, Macerata, Italy to a rather poor family.  After hearing the preaching of Father Reginaldo da Monterubbiano, Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian friary in Sant’Angelo, Nicholas decided to enter the order.  As a priest and religious he was noted for his charity toward his fellow Augustinians as well as toward the people to whom he ministered. He visited the sick and cared for the needy. He was a noted preacher of the Gospel. He gave special attention to those who had fallen away from the Church.  Many considered him to be a miracle worker.

 

He often fasted, performed others works of penance, and spent long hours praying.  Many stories are told about Nicholas.

 

One such story relates that Nicholas, while asleep in bed, heard the voice of a deceased Augustinian he had known.  The friar told Nicholas that he was in Purgatory and urged him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and for other souls there, so that they would be set free by the power of Christ.  Nicholas offered Mass for this intention for seven days.  After the seven days were over, the friar again spoke to Nicholas, thanking him and assuring him that many souls were now with God.  Because of this Nicholas was proclaimed the patron of the souls in Purgatory.

 

Another story told about Nicholas concerns a time when he had fasted for a long time.  Owing to this period of fasting, Nicholas was physically weak.  While at prayer, Jesus appeared to him and told him to eat some bread marked with a cross and soaked in water to regain his strength.  This was the origin of the Augustinian custom of blessing and distributing Saint Nicholas Bread in his memory.

 

In addition to being the patron saint of the souls in Purgatory, he is also considered to be the patron saint against epidemic disease and against fires.

 

During most of his adult life, Nicholas lived in Tolentine, Italy. He died there on September 10, 1305.  Canonized in 1446 by Pope Eugene IV, St. Nicholas of Tolentine is said to be the favorite saint of Pope Leo XIV.

 

Until next time,

Fr. John