Roman Catholics observe Friday, September 10, the Feast of Saint Nicholas (San Nicolas) of Tolentino, a well-loved and widely venerated saint of the Roman Catholic Church.
Special masses and prayer services will be held in the Dioceses of Cabanatuan, Mati, and Tandag; as well as in Cabatuan, Iloilo; Anda, Pangasinan; and at the University of Negros Occidental, Recoletos, Bacolod City in honor of its patron saint.
Feast masses will also be celebrated in Macabebe and Candaba, Pampanga and in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.
Named after Saint Nicholas of Myra (more popularly known as Santa Claus), whose intercession was invoked by his parents to have a child, St. Nicholas was a popular Augustinian friar, confessor, and preacher in Italy. He ministered to the poor and the prisoners and was known as a mystic and a wonder worker.
Born in 1245, St. Nicholas became a monk at the age of 18 and a priest seven years later. He died on September 10, 1305 and was canonized by Pope Eugene IV in 1446.
His remains are venerated by hundreds of pilgrims every year at the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Tolentino, Italy.
St. Nicholas is venerated the world over as the patron saint of holy souls. He is particularly invoked as an advocate for the souls in Purgatory, especially during Lent and the month of November.
In many Augustinian churches, there are weekly devotions to St Nicholas on behalf of the suffering souls. November 2, All Souls' Day, holds special significance for the devotees of St. Nicholas of Tolentino.