Nicola of Tolentino, Saint

NICOLA da TOLENTINO, saint. — Born at Castel S. Angelo (now S. Angelo in Pantano) in 1245, died on 10 September 1305 at Tolentino, where he lived for more than thirty years.

He was probably a canon of the church of S. Salvatore at Castel S. Angelo in his youth, and in mature age joined the Hermits of S. Augustine, prompted by the preaching of a religious of that Order. A cousin, abbot of a wealthier monastery, attempted in vain to dissuade him from the life he had embraced, in which he particularly flourished through charity, apostolic zeal, and the gift of miracles. These were so numerous after his death that the process of canonization was begun almost immediately, under Giovanni XXII; of this process the Rubricae, examinationes, recollectiones remain.

The grave events that troubled that pontificate interrupted the cause, which was resumed only under Eugenio IV, who canonized him in 1447. A notable monument is the basilica erected to him in the 14th century, with the portal by Nanni di Bartolo and a cycle of frescoes by the Rimini school in the saint’s chapel. Feast: 10 September. — Vedi tav. CXIX.

NICOLA di TRANI, also called NICOLA il PELLEGRINO, saint. — Born in Greece near Styros, died at Trani on 2 June 1094.

According to legend, he gave prodigious signs from childhood and, after a vision, took to pronouncing aloud the invocation « Kyrie eleison »; consequently regarded as a madman, he was driven from his home and then entrusted to the monks of the monastery of S. Luca, suffering many trials. After spending several years in solitude, he miraculously crossed the sea and came to Apulia, where he passed through Idrunto (Otranto), Taranto, and finally Trani. He died there a few days after his arrival. Because of the many miracles