Saint Felix of Nola: Difference between revisions

|SaintCauseOfDeath= Natural causes (listed as a confessor, though some traditions suggest martyrdom)

|Canonized= Pre-Congregation

|CanonizationDate=  

Saint Felix of Nola was born in the early 3rd century in Nola, near Naples, Italy, to Hermias, a retired Syrian soldier of the Roman army. After his father’s death, Felix inherited property but chose to sell most of it, distributing the proceeds to the poor, and pursued a clerical vocation. Ordained as a priest by Saint Maximus, the Bishop of Nola, Felix became his trusted assistant, serving diligently during a tumultuous period for Christians in the Roman Empire. His life took a dramatic turn during the persecution under Emperor Decius in 250 AD, when Maximus fled to the desert to escape capture, leaving Felix to face the brunt of the authorities’ wrath.

Saint Felix was born in Nola, a Roman colony near Naples, in the early 3rd century to Hermias, a Syrian who had served as a centurion before retiring to Italy.

Little is known of Felix’s early years, though he grew up on his father’s estate. After Hermias’s death, Felix rejected worldly pursuits, giving away his inheritance to the poor to focus on a life of faith.

Before his religious life, Felix was poised to inherit his father’s wealth. As a priest, he assisted Bishop Maximus, and later in life, he worked as a farmer on a small plot of land.

Felix’s calling emerged when he was ordained by Saint Maximus. His vocation solidified during the Decian persecution, where his courage and charity shone, especially in aiding Maximus and the poor.

Saint Felix met his end around 260 AD in Nola, dying peacefully of natural causes according to most accounts, though some traditions claim martyrdom under Valerian. His tomb became a site of miracles.

* Declined the bishopric of Nola, choosing a life of simplicity and charity.

The formal "Servant of God" designation did not exist in Felix’s time; his recognition began with local veneration after his death.

The title "Venerable" was not applied, as his sainthood predates such formal processes.

Felix was not formally beatified, as this practice emerged later; his sanctity was acknowledged through popular acclaim.

Canonized pre-Congregation, his sainthood was confirmed by early Church tradition based on his life, miracles, and steadfast faith.

Not applicable, as beatification was not a formal step in his era.

No specific miracle is tied to his canonization, which rested on his confessor status and reported miracles at his tomb.

- An angel freed him from prison, guiding him to Maximus.

- A spider spun a web to hide him and Maximus from soldiers.

- Found grapes in a bush to revive the starving Maximus.

Saint Felix is the patron saint of domestic animals, spiders, and against lies, eye diseases, and false witnesses.

Felix is venerated through prayers and pilgrimages to his tomb in Nola Cathedral, where miracles have been reported. His relics are kept there, with portions in Rome and Benevento.

* "The Poems of Saint Paulinus of Nola" - Paulinus documented Felix’s life extensively.

* No known writings by Felix survive.