Saint Paulinus of Nova (354-431)
Image: Daily Catholic
(Franciscan Media) Born in Gaul Burdigala (modern day France Bordeaux) Paulinus came from an illustrious family in the Roman imperial province of Aquitania and he received his literary education from the renowned poet and professor Decimus Magnus Ausonius according to Catholic News Agency becoming a distinguished lawyer and eventually, rising to the rank of Governor in the Italian province of Campania. With Paulinus’ Spanish wife Therasia, he retired at an early age to a life of cultured leisure.
Paulinus and Therasia were subsequently baptized by the Saintly Bishop of Bordeaux and moved into Therasia’s estate–after many childless years, they had a son who died a week following his birth.
This event occasioned their beginning a life of great austerity and charity, giving away much of the Spanish property–possibly as a result of of this example, Paulinus was rather unexpectedly Ordained a Priest at Christmas by the Bishop of Barcelona.
Following this, Fr. Paulinus and his wife moved to Nola (near Naples) he possessed a great love for St. Felix of Nola (Feast Day: 14 January) and spent much effort promoting devotion to this Saint. Fr. Paulinus subsequently gave away most of his remaining property (to the consternation of his relatives) and continued his work with the poor. Supporting a host of debtors, the homeless and other needy people, he lived a monastic life in another part of his home. — By popular demand, Fr. Paulinus was appointed Bishop of Nola and guided that diocese for the next 21 years. His final years were sadden by the invasion of the Huns a nomadic people who were known to have lived in Eastern Europe between the 1st and 7th centuries.
Bishop Paulinus died of natural causes near Naples — During his lifetime Paulinus was looked upon as a Saint and is buried in the Cathedral of Nola pursuant to the Order of Pope Pius X
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