Born to a Syrian who had been a Roman soldier, St. Felix renounced all of his possessions, distributing them to the poor. He became a priest, ordained under St. Maximus, who fled during the persecution of Emperor Decius. In 250 AD, because Bishop Maximus could not be found, Felix was arrested in his stead, enduring persecution humbly and graciously. According to St. Paulinus of Nola, Felix was visited by an angel while imprisoned under Decius’s command. The angel released him from jail and then rescued St. Maximus from exile. After Bishop St. Maximus had passed, the people of Nola wanted St. Felix to take his place, but Felix humbly deferred to a senior priest. He spent the rest of his days giving to the poor, until his death on January 14th.
Practical Lessons
- Live Humbly: St. Felix exemplifies what it means to be truly humble. From giving up all of his earthly possessions to taking the place of his bishop during the emperor’s persecution to deferring the title of bishop to a more senior priest, he shows us how to live for God and not ourselves at every crossroad in life.
- Be Not Afraid: St. Felix reminds us that we should never fear death, especially death of self, because when we die, we are filled with eternal glory. We are filled with the God of love, Who is Love Himself. This should be cause enough for our joy.
- Embrace Martyrdom: Every saint’s journey to heaven involves martyrdom. Most of us shudder at the thought, because we always and immediately imagine red martyrdom and the horrific bloodshed that continues today, especially in the Middle East and Africa. While it’s true that you or I may be called to a red martyrdom, we can be certain that our crown of sainthood will involve the cross of martyrdom—a white martyrdom. This is the martyrdom of the heart, a type of interior crucifixion that involves spiritual, mental, and even physical trials (some or all of which are unapparent to others).
Prayer
St. Felix of Nola, please help us to be generous like you, to give without counting the costs. Pray that we may embrace whatever martyrdom Christ calls us to and ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to accept it, without fear, when the time comes. We ask all this through your humble intercession. Amen.
Quote
St. Paulinus, a clear devotee of St. Felix, wrote this poem as a tribute to him on the day he died, which eloquently describes how one can become a martyr without literal death:
This festive day celebrates Felix’s birthday, the day on which he died physically on earth and was born for Christ in heaven, winning his heavenly crown as a martyr who did not shed his blood. For he died as confessor, though he did not avoid execution by choice, since God accepted his inner faith in place of blood. God looks into the silence of hearts, and equates those ready to suffer with those who have already done so, for he considers this inward test as sufficient, and dispenses with physical execution in case of true devotion. Martyrdom without bloodshed is enough for him if mind and faith are ready to suffer and are fervent towards God.
Other Saints We Remember Today
St. Sava (1235), Bishop, Patron of the Serbian people
Image from Wikimedia Commons
