St. Nicholas of Tolentino

Feast Day: September 10
Patron of: Souls in Purgatory

Who He Is

St. Nicholas of Tolentino (1245–1305) was an Italian Augustinian friar known for his profound holiness, penance, prayer, and charity. He lived a quiet, hidden life, serving in a small town (Tolentino) where he became renowned as a spiritual guide, a wonderworker, and a devoted intercessor for the suffering souls.
He is especially connected with:
• the Holy Souls in Purgatory,
• the poor,
• the sick,
• the dying, and
• those seeking spiritual renewal.

Why He Is the Patron of Souls in Purgatory

According to tradition, St. Nicholas received a vision of a deceased friar who appeared and begged him to offer Masses and prayers for those suffering in Purgatory.
Moved with compassion, Nicholas began offering constant prayers, penances, vigils, and especially Masses for the departed. He became so dedicated to this mission that the Church came to recognize him as a special heavenly advocate of the Holy Souls.
Many miracles were attributed to his intercession, both during his life and after his death, especially in favor of the departed.

Spiritual Characteristics

1. Deep devotion to the Eucharist
He often spent long hours in adoration and celebrated Mass with profound reverence.
2. Love of the Poor
Even with limited means, he shared everything he could, becoming known as a “father to the needy.”
3. Life of Penance
His simplicity and sacrifice made him a model of humility and holiness.
4. Miracles
Numerous healings and spiritual favors were attributed to him, including the famous tradition of the “Bread of St. Nicholas”, blessed and distributed for healing.

PRAYERS

Short Prayer to St. Nicholas of Tolentino

St. Nicholas of Tolentino,
faithful servant of Christ and loving consoler of the souls in Purgatory,
intercede for our departed loved ones
and obtain for them eternal light and peace.
Pray also for us,
that we may grow in holiness
and remain faithful to God.
Amen.

Prayer to St. Nicholas of Tolentino

O brightly shining star of sanctity! splendor and boast of the Augustinian Order; our powerful protector, St. Nicholas, hear from heaven the prayers of your devoted clients. Teach us to imitate the example you gave here below of heroic virtue, to curb our passions and restrain our unruly appetites, that we may ever live in the light of divine grace, and escape the foul contagion of habitual sin. Procure for us a love of Jesus like that which filled your own sinless heart, and a tender devotion to Mary his Mother, that we may be more like you in childlike love of her. Fortify us in efforts to reach heaven, that we may be ever faithful to Jesus and Mary; and strengthen us by your prayers, to merit a share in the bright and endless joys you now enjoy, and that for eternity. Amen.

Prayer to St. Nicholas of Tolentino as your Patron Saint

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, whom I have chosen as my special patron, pray for me that I, too, may one day glorify the Blessed Trinity in heaven. Obtain for me your lively faith, that I may consider all persons, things, and events in the light of almighty God. Pray, that I may be generous in making sacrifices of temporal things to promote my eternal interests, as you so wisely did.

Set me on fire with a love for Jesus, that I may thirst for His sacraments and burn with zeal for the spread of His kingdom. By your powerful intercession, help me in the performance of my duties to God, myself and all the world.

Win for me the virtue of purity and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin. Protect me this day, and every day of my life. Keep me from mortal sin. Obtain for me the grace of a happy death. Amen

Traditional Prayer to St. Nicholas of Tolentino for the Holy Souls

O glorious St. Nicholas of Tolentino,
you who were chosen by God to be a consoler and intercessor
for the souls in Purgatory,
hear our prayers for those suffering spirits.

Because of your ardent love of God and deep compassion
for the faithful departed,
you offered prayers, penances, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
for their relief.

Look with mercy upon our beloved dead
and upon all the souls who long for their eternal home.
Through your powerful intercession,
obtain for them rest, light, and peace,
and hasten their entrance into the glory of heaven.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

NOVENA TO ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, before you were born, your parents prayed to be able to conceive you. Though we know little of your life with them after your birth, we know that they must have helped form you to become kind, gentle, and studious.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all families may be full of holiness and love.

Pray for us, that we may always carry out the duties of our vocations faithfully. Pray that we may grow closer to God each day of our lives.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 2

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you followed God’s call to religious life by entering the Augustinian religious order when you were sixteen years old. You were then ordained a priest. You spent the rest of your life serving God faithfully as an Augustinian priest.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that God may inspire more men and women to serve Him in the religious and priestly vocations.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God in whatever ways he calls us to.

Pray that we may advance in holiness and virtue at every opportunity God gives us.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 3

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you became an Augustinian when you were sixteen years old. You then followed God’s call to become a priest. As an Augustinian priest, you led a life of great holiness and virtue.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all members of the Augustinian religious order may be holy servants of God.

Pray for us, that we may serve God faithfully in every circumstance we encounter in our lives. Pray that we may do all things in our lives out of love for God.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 4

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you followed God’s call to the priesthood and were ordained when you were twenty-five years old. As a priest, you became known for your preaching. You lived out your vocation faithfully and virtuously for the rest of your life.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all priests may serve God faithfully in their vocation.

Pray for us, that we may always do all we can to carry out God’s will in our lives. Pray that we may grow in holiness at every opportunity God gives us.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 5

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you practiced great charity toward the poor who came to beg at the gates of your monastery. You were so generous to your poor brothers and sisters that you even gave away more than your superiors wanted you to.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in true charity.

Pray for us, that we may grow in every virtue we need for holiness. Pray that we may do all we can to love our brothers and sisters out of love for God.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 6

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you did not hesitate to follow God’s call to religious life as a young man. You showed great trust in God throughout the rest of your life in your great generosity toward the poor and in your openness to doing what God asked of you.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in trust in God.

Pray for us, that we may grow in our relationship with God each day of our life. Pray that we may do all we can to become saints.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 7

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you fasted intensely on many occasions during your life. When you eventually became ill and were dying, you continued to practice the severe mortifications you had been practicing for many years.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may grow to a deeper spirit of penance in our lives.

Pray for us, that we may always make use of every help God gives us for our salvation. Pray that we may make growth in virtue and holiness our top priority in life.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 8

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you became known as a particular patron of the suffering souls in purgatory. During your lifetime, praying for the suffering souls in purgatory came to be one of the main elements of your spirituality.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray for all the souls who are suffering in purgatory.

Pray for us, that we may always do all things in our lives out of love for God. Pray that we may do all we can to bring souls to God at every opportunity.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino Novena – Day 9

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Nicholas of Tolentino as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear the prayers he brings before Your throne on our behalf.

St. Nicholas, you did a lot of important work as a peacemaker. When two factions in Tolentino were fighting over whether to support the pope or to support the Holy Roman Emperor, you worked to foster peace between them.

Please bring all of our petitions to God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all who work for peace may be successful.

Pray for us, that we may do all we can to help others become holy. Pray that we may take every opportunity God gives us to advance in virtue.

And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).

St. Nicholas of Tolentino, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.