Nicholas of Tolentino

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Piero della Francesca , San Nicola da Tolentino

Nikolaus von Tolentino (* around 1245 in Sant'Angelo in Pontano in the Marche ; † September 10, 1305 in Tolentino ) was a monk and preacher of the Augustinian hermits . He is a saint of the Catholic Church, canonized by Pope Eugene IV. In 1446. Talented in rhetoric, he was very popular with his sermons. Between the 16th and 18th centuries he was one of the most popular saints in Europe.

Life

Nicholas entered the Augustinian hermit monastery in Sant'Angelo in 1250. His sermons, which he gave in Sant Angelo and in the surrounding churches of the Marche, attracted large crowds of the faithful. In 1275 he went to Tolentino, where he worked until the end of his life and was soon venerated like a saint by the population because of the miracles attributed to him. Nicholas led an ascetic life. In addition to his preaching work, he devoted himself above all to the poor and sick.

Nicholas died in Tolentino on September 10, 1305. A basilica was built over his grave. Today his bones are kept in an illuminated glass shrine in the crypt of the Basilica of San Nicola .

The files of Pope John XXII. The canonization process initiated in 1325 has been preserved, a summary of which served Eugene IV as the basis for his decision.

Legends

Basilica of San Nicola in Tolentino. Above the portal a relief with the shining star

According to legend , Nicholas was followed by a shining star that illuminated his figure. Nikolaus was a vegetarian. One day when he was served a roast chicken, he crossed the roast and the bird rose into the air and flew away. Nicholas used to forego his bread and instead carried it - against the will of his superiors - wrapped in a cloth to his arms. When he was discovered, he opened the cloth and the bread had turned to roses. This miracle of roses , a hiking legend , is also told by the saints Elisabeth of Thuringia and Elisabeth of Portugal .

Patronage

Nicholas is the patron saint of Tolentino, co-saint of Bavaria, Venice, Rome, Genoa, Antwerp, Córdoba and Lima; the castaways, prisoners, freedom; for daily bread.

iconography

Nicholas is depicted in the black habit of the Augustinian hermits with a star on his chest or above him, a lily, a bag with money or bread, a cross or a book in his hand.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Protection cartridge

Web links

Commons : Nicolaus von Tolentino  - Collection of images, videos and audio files