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Nicholas was born in the year of Our Lord 1245 to a pious and previously childless older Italian couple, who had prayed for a son through the intercession of the great St. Nicholas of Myra. From an early age the boy demonstrated devotion worthy of his namesake, which included fasting several days a week and caring for the poor. Inspired by the preaching of an Augustinian hermit, the young man discerned a vocation to religious life, and with his parents’ happy approval Nicholas joined the hermit’s order, making his vows before the age of nineteen and eventually receiving ordination. After moving between several of the order’s convents, Nicholas settled at Tolentino, where he preached nearly every day and worked hundreds of miracles. He also maintained or intensified his lifelong habits of prayer and mortification, constantly chastising his own body. He was once restored to health by a loaf of bread given to him by Our Lady. The custom of blessing “St. Nicholas Bread” or “Tolentine Bread” persists to this day. After a painful illness, Nicholas died at Tolentino in the year of Our Lord 1305. Because of his devotion to aiding the souls in Purgatory, Nicholas is hailed as one of their great patrons.
AT Tolentino, in the March of Ancona, the departure from this life of St. Nicholas, confessor, of the Order of Augustinians.
In Africa, the birthday [into heaven] of the holy bishops Nemesian, Felix, Lucius, another Felix, Litteus, Polyan, Victor, Jader, Dativus, and others. As a violent persecution was breaking out under Valerian and Gallienus, they were at their first courageous confession of Christ beaten with rods, then put in irons, and being sent to dig in the metal mines, they terminated their combat and glorious confession.
At Chalcedon, in the persecution of Diocletian, the holy martyrs Sosthenes and Victor. Under Priscus, proconsul of Asia, after they had been loaded with fetters and exposed to the beasts, they were condemned to be burned. But whilst they were saluting each other with a holy kiss and praying, they expired.
In Bithynia, the holy virgins Menodora, Metrodora, and Nymphodora, sisters. Under the emperor Maximian and the governor Fronto, they were crowned with martyrdom, and went to eternal glory.
Also, the holy martyrs Apellius, Luke, and Clement.
At Liege, in Belgium, St. Theodard, bishop and martyr, who laid down his life for his flock, and after his death was renowned for the gift of miracles.
At Rome, blessed Hilary, pope and confessor.
At Compostella, St. Peter, bishop, who was celebrated for his many virtues and miracles.
In the city of Albi, St. Salvius, bishop and confessor.
At Novara, St. Agapius, bishop.
At Constantinople, St. Pulcheria, empress and virgin, distinguished by her piety and zeal for religion.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.