The Memorial of Saint Felix of Nola
Saint Felix of Nola is the Patron Saint of
• Against eye disease
• Against eye trouble
• Against false witness
• Against lies
• Against perjury
• Domestic animals
• Eyes
• Nola, Italy
Saint Felix of Nola Feast Day, Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Beatification Date, Canonization Date, Matrimony/Holy Orders, Priests who became Saints
Saint Felix of Nola brief life History |
|
Date of Birth | Early 3rd century AD |
---|---|
Country of Birth | Italy in Europe |
Profession | Priest |
Place of Work | Nola, Campania, Italy |
Date of Death | 250 AD |
Place of Death | Nola, Campania, Italy |
Feast Day | 14 January |
Beatification | By Pre-Congregation |
Canonization | By Pre-Congregation |
Patron Saint of | • Against eye disease • Against eye trouble • Against false witness • Against lies • Against perjury • Domestic animals • Eyes • Nola, Italy |
Saint Felix of Nola Short life History
Saint Felix of Nola also known as
• Felix the Martyr
• Felix of Inpincis
• Felice, Flin
He was the elder son of Hermias, a Syrian soldier who had retired to Nola, Italy. After his father’s death, Felix sold off most of his property and possessions, gave the proceeds to the poor, and pursued a clerical vocation. He was ordained by, and worked with Saint Maximus of Nola.
When Maximus fled to the mountains to escape the persecution of Decius, Felix was arrested and beaten for his faith instead. Legend says he was freed by an angel so he could help his sick bishop. Felix hid Maximus from soldiers in a vacant building. When the two were safely inside, a spider quickly spun a web over the door, fooling the imperial forces into thinking it was long abandoned, and they left without finding the Christians. The two managed to hide from authorities until the persecution ended with the death of Decius in 251.
After Maximus’ death, Felix was chosen as bishop of Nola, but declined, favoring Quintus, a “senior” priest who had seven days more experience than Felix. He worked to farm his remaining land, and gave most of the proceeds to people even poorer than himself.
Much of the little information we have about Felix came from the letters and poetry of Saint Paulinus of Nola, who served at a porter at the door of a church dedicated to Saint Felix, and who gathered information about him from churchmen and pilgrims.
Though Felix died of natural causes, he is normally listed as a martyr because of the torture, imprisonment, and privations he experienced in the persecutions.
Today’s Saint Felix of Nola Quote:
Saint Felix of Nola died in 255 AD of natural causes, buried at Nola, Italy and for centuries his tomb was the site of pilgrimages
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