Saint Nicholas Tavelić

Nicholas Tavelić was born around 1340 to a noble family in Šibenik, Croatia, and became a Franciscan friar. He spent about twelve years as a missionary in Bosnia before going to the Holy Land to serve at the shrines in Jerusalem. On November 11, 1391, with three fellow friars, Deodatus of Rodez, Peter of Narbonne and Stephen of Cuneo, he went before the Muslim authorities of Jerusalem to proclaim Christ. Refusing to deny their faith, the four were put to death on November 14, 1391. Saint Paul VI canonized them in 1970.

He is the first Croatian saint canonized, and he is deeply loved in Croatia, where many churches are dedicated to him. The Franciscans of the Holy Land honor him and his companions as martyrs of the Custody.