THE CATHOLIC FEAST 

DECEMBER 06

SAINT NICHOLAS

PATRONAGE 

Children, coopers, travelers, sailors, fishermen, merchants, broadcasters, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, brewers, pharmacistsarcherspawnbrokers, unmarried people


HIS LIFE PROFILE

Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Nicholas.

 

Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who helped the needy. After his death, the legend of his gift-giving grew. 

 

Saint Nicholas transformed into the legendary character called Santa Claus, who brings Christmas presents to children around the world.

 

He was born sometime circa 280 in Patara, Lycia, an area that is part of present-day Turkey. He lost both of his parents as a young man and reportedly used his inheritance to help the poor and sick. 

 

A devout Christian, he later served as bishop of Myra, a city that is now called Demre.

 

There are many legends about St. Nicholas of Myra. One story tells how he helped three poor sisters. Their father did not have enough money to pay their dowries and thought of selling them into servitude. 

 

Three times, St. Nicholas secretly went to their house at night and put a bag of money inside. The man used the money so that one of his daughters could marry. 

 

On the third visit, the man saw St. Nicholas and thanked him for his kindness. He also reportedly saved three men who were falsely imprisoned and sentenced to death.

 

Over the years, stories of his miracles and work for the poor spread to other parts of the world. 

 

He became known as the protector of children and sailors and was associated with gift-giving. 

 

He was a popular saint in Europe until the time of the Reformation in the 1500s, a religious movement that led to the creation of Protestantism, which turned away from the practice of honoring saints. 

 

PRAYER

We implore Your love and mercy, Lord, to protect us from all danger.

Through the prayer of Saint Nicholas, lead us to salvation by paths that are swift and sure.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

SAINT NICHOLAS, PRAY FOR US. AMEN!