St Paulinus of Nola was a Roman poet, writer, senator, governor of Campania and finally bishop of Nola in Campania.
He was born in 354 AD in Bordeaux, Gallia Aquitania, France with the name Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus.
He died on June 22 431 in Nola, Campania, Italy at the age of 77 years.
His feast day is celebrated on June 22 every year in the Catholic Church.
| Saint Paulinus of Nola Biography | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Date of Birth | 354 AD |
| Place of Birth | Bordeaux, Gallia Aquitania, France |
| Profession | Roman poet, writer, senator, governor of Campania and bishop of Nola in Campania |
| Place of Work | Italy |
| Date of Death | June 22 431 |
| Place of Death | Nola, Campania, Italy |
| Feast Day | June 22 |
| Canonization | Pre-Congregation |
St Paulinus of Nola Life History
St Paulinus of Nola, also known as Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus was born at Bordeaux, in southwestern France. His family was wealthy with many estates in southern Italy, Northern Iberia and the Aquitaine province of France.
He was educated by Ausonius who was a poet and one time when he was young he visited the shrine of St Felix at Nola near Naples.
In 375 AD, Emperor Gratian made Paulinus suffect consul in Rome and appointed him governor of the Province of Campania in 380 AD.
St Paulinus realized that many residents of Campania were so devoted to Saint Felix of Nola and therefore, built a road that the pilgrims used to go to the local shrine and a hospice for the sick and poor.
In 383, Paulinus attend the school of Ambrose in Milan and a year later, he returned to Bordeaux and married Therasia, a Christian lady from Barcelona.
At one time he was accused of killing his brother by people who wanted to grab his wealth. Paulinus retired from public service and Bishop Delphinus of Bordeaux baptized him.
With his wife, they traveled to Spain. Later, they lost their only child eight days after birth. This is when they both decided to spend the rest of their lives devoted to God.
After offering some resistance, Paulinus was ordained by Lampius, Bishop of Barcelona as a presbyter on Christmas Day of 394 AD. Such resistance to ordination had been witnessed a few years ago in 391 AD when St Augustine of Hippo resisted his ordination in Hippo Regius.
Paulinus did not wish to remain in Barcelona, and in 395 AD the couple relocated to Nola in Campania where he remained until he died.
St Felix, who had been buried in Nola, was very instrumental in Paulinus’ conversion and each year Paulinus wrote a poem in St Felix’s honor and together with Therasia they rebuilt a church in St Felix’s commemoration.
Paulinus gave away his money to the poor and the church and dedicated himself to helping the poor. Around 409 AD, Therasia died and a short time later, Paulinus was ordained as a Bishop.
In 410 AD, he was appointed as the Bishop of Nola a diocese he served for twenty years living in his own home as a monk. As bishop of Nola, Paulinus introduced the use of bells in church services. He died on June 22 431 AD in Nola.
Saint Paulinus of Nola Birth
He was born in 354 AD in Bordeaux, Gallia Aquitania, France with the name Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus.
St Paulinus of Nola Death
He died on June 22 431 in Nola, Campania, Italy at the age of 77 years.
Saint Paulinus of Nola Feast Day
His feast day is celebrated on June 22 every year in the Catholic Church.
Representation
Bishop holding manacles
Bishop holding chains
Bishop giving alms to the poor
Veneration
Roman Catholic Church
Anglican Communion
Eastern Orthodox Church
Relics
Saint Paulinus of Nola’s relics were kept on the island of the Tiber in Rome at the church of Saint Adalbert (now Saint Bartholomew) from the 11th century. They were later translated to the new cathedral at Nola and reinterred on May 15 1909.
Today’s Catholic Quote
Saint Paulinus of Nola, may your humility, education, and serenity be an example to all who are searching for God. May they imitate you in finding Him, loving Him, and dedicating your life to Him amidst a large circle of like-minded friends.
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