Short biographies about San Nicolás de Tolentino They emphasize his asceticism, his kind smile, long prayers and fasting, always accompanied by sympathy and charity. This is pointed out by the vatican saints' calendar and the Roman Martyrology.
"In Tolentino, Piceno, St. Nicholas, a priest, religious of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, who, a friar of rigorous penance and assiduous prayer, severe with himself and understanding with others, often imposed on himself the penance of others († 1305)," writes the Martyrology.
As we said, St. Nicholas is recognized as the patron saint of the souls in Purgatory, protector of suffering souls. Especially after a vision in which a friar asked him to pray for him and other souls in Purgatory.
A fellow friar spoke to him from Purgatory
According toOne night, Father Nicholas was sleeping in his cell when he heard the voice of one of his fellow friars, who had recently died. The friar told St. Nicholas that he was in purgatory and asked him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and other souls who were there. So that they would be freed by the mercy of Christ.
After Nicholas had celebrated Mass for this intention for seven days, the friar spoke to him again. This time it was to thank him and tell him that many souls, including his own, were now with God.
Many miracles are attributed to St. Nicholas, both during his lifetime and after his death. He always asked them not to comment on anything, and to thank God. When his days were running out, someone asked"Father, why are you so joyful and happy?" Fr. Nicholas replied, "Because my God and Lord Jesus Christ, accompanied by his Holy Mother and my Holy Father Augustine, is saying to me : "Come on! Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord".
Blessed martyrs of Nagasaki
On July 7, 1867, Pope Pius IX beatified 205 Servants of God martyred in Japan between 1617 and 1632. Of these, 52 were immolated, burned alive or beheaded, on the 'Martyrs' Hill' of Nagasaki (Japan), on September 10, 1622. Among the martyrs were priests, religious, married couples, young people, catechists, widows and children, who offered a heroic example. They belonged to various nationalities.
