2007 Archive Edition - See the Archive Notice on the Project
Homepage for more information. Nicholas of Tolentino Born in
1245 in Sant'Angelo, St. Nicholas of Tolentino took his name
from St. Nicholas of Myra, at whose shrine his parents prayed to
have a child. Nicholas became a monk at 18, and seven years
later, he was ordained a priest. He gained a reputation as a
preacher and a confessor. C. 1274, he was sent to Tolentino,
near his birthplace. The town suffered from civil strife between
the Guelphs, who supported the pope, and Ghibellines, who
supported the Holy Roman Emperor, in their struggle for control
of Italy. Nicholas was primarily a pastor to his flock. He
ministered to the poor and the criminal. He is said to have
cured the sick with bread over which he had prayed to Mary, the
mother of God. He gained a reputation as a wonder-worker.
Nicholas died in 1305 after a long illness. People began
immediately to petition for his canonization. Eugene IV
canonized him in 1446, and his relics were rediscover