Saint Nicholas of Tolentino

Nicholas was born around 1245 in Sant'Angelo in Pontano, in central Italy. His parents, who had long been childless, prayed at the shrine of Saint Nicholas of Bari and named their son after him. As a young man he joined the Order of Saint Augustine and was ordained a priest around 1270.

He spent the last thirty years of his life in the town of Tolentino, preaching in the streets, hearing confessions, visiting the sick and caring for the poor, while living a life of strict penance and prayer. He had a special love for the souls in purgatory and offered Masses and prayers for them. Many healings were attributed to him, often through small blessed rolls of bread. He died on September 10, 1305, and in 1446 became the first Augustinian to be canonized.

On his feast, Augustinian churches bless and distribute "Saint Nicholas bread," small loaves given to the sick and to mothers, a custom rooted in the healings attributed to him. His basilica in Tolentino, Italy, keeps his relics.

He is especially popular in the Philippines, Spain and Mexico, where towns and churches bear his name and Masses are offered for the souls of the faithful departed.