As a devoted priest, I invite you on a journey into the life of an extraordinary figure in our Catholic faith. This story is about a man who embraced humility, endured suffering, and bestowed blessings unto those around him. This narrative is about Nicola Saggio, a lesser-known but influential saint in our Catholic heritage.
A Farmer’s Life: Nicola Saggio’s Humble Beginnings
Born in 1650 to a modest farming family in Longobardi, Italy, Nicola Saggio found himself tilling the soil at a tender age. He discovered a devotion for Christ amid the rugged landscape, fostering a spiritual affinity that accompanied him throughout his life.
An Unwavering Religious Devotion
Relinquishing the prospect of a comfortable family life, Nicola Saggio dedicated himself to the monastic calling at a young age. His decision to join the Minim friars, accepting their rule of humility and poverty, marked the beginning of his extraordinary journey to sainthood. He adopted the name 'Nicholas' in honor of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, exemplifying his revering admiration for the saint.
A Selfless Servant of God
In the spirit of Saint Francis of Paola who endorsed a life of austerity, Nicola Saggio manifested an unwavering commitment towards humility and selflessness. Despite numerous health adversities and personal hardships, his dedication was steadfast, keeping him rooted in his spiritual mission. This embodiment of Christian virtues is what sets Nicola Saggio apart in our realm of revered saints.
Embracing Suffering: The Miracle of Nicola Saggio
"Dear Lord, let my pain serve as fortitude for my soul, may my suffering bring me closer to You."
This prayer captures the essence of Nicola Saggio's disposition towards suffering. Afflicted with serious ailments, he embraced his pain, seeing it as an opportunity to deepen his bond with Christ. The miraculous healing of a fellow friar, proclaimed internally by the Order of Minims, further testified to Nicola Saggio's sanctity and intercessional powers.
Final Moments: A Testament to His Faith
Even in his dying moments, Nicola Saggio bore witness to his enduring faith. As per recorded accounts, he refused to consume anything, except the Eucharist, for three days preceding his death. One could observe the profound, unyielding love for Christ reflected in such a noble act of defiance against mortal hunger.
Legacy of Nicola Saggio: Patron of the Sick
Despite living a life shrouded in hardships, Nicola Saggio fulfilled his spiritual responsibilities with enviable dignity and grace. His canonization by Pope John Paul II in 2005 reaffirmed the high esteem for his virtues and the miracles attributed to him.
The Compassionate Saint
Today, Nicola Saggio, affectionately remembered as the ‘Beggar of Rome,’ is venerated as the patron of the sick, particularly those afflicted with heart diseases. His compassionate heart continues to inspire devotion and brings solace to thousands across the globe.
Final Thoughts
Nicola Saggio's inspiring story compels us to reflect on our own relationship with Christ. How willing are we to embrace suffering and adversity for the love of our Savior? It serves as a reminder of our call to embody Christian values and manifest them in our daily lives.
May we learn from the life of Nicola Saggio, the humble farmer turned saint, and find strength in mirroring his virtues of selflessness, humility, and deep faith. Let us pray:
"Saint Nicola Saggio, guide us in embracing life's sufferings with faith and courage. May your humble life inspire us to serve Christ wholeheartedly. Amen."
20 Mostri Dei Fiumi Giganti Filmati Dalle Telecamere
Nicola Gratteri e Antonio Nicaso a Carpi: i nuovi business della ‘ndrangheta
MA DAVVERO VENIAMO DALL’AFRICA? con NICOLA BIZZI (SA)
Who was Nicola Saggio and how did he contribute to the Catholic Church?
Nicola Saggio was an Italian Roman Catholic professed oblate of the Order of Saint Benedict who is also venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint. He was born on January 6, 1650, in Longobardi and died on February 23, 1709.
Saggio spent most of his life serving God as a lay brother. He didn't hold any prestigious church positions but dedicated himself to humility, service, and simplicity. He made significant contributions through these ordinary but meaningful ways of living his faith.
He became a shepherd in his teenage years. Attached to the solitude that the mountains provided, he used to spend time in prayer during his work herding sheep. Saggio's devotion to religious life led him to enter the Order of Saint Benedict at the abbey in La Cava, where he remained for the rest of his life.
Although afflicted with persistent ill health, Saggio was known for self-denial, offering up his sufferings for the salvation of souls. He demonstrated exceptional charity and often gave his food and clothes to the poor despite his own needs.
One of Saggio's most remarkable contributions was his commitment to reconciliation. It's said that he successfully mediated disputes among local families and promoted peace in his community.
He was also blessed with miraculous gifts, including the gift of healing. Despite suffering from various health problems, he never complained or despaired, offering up his discomfort for the conversion of sinners. His faith and hope remained steadfast until the end of his life.
Saggio's life manifested exemplary holiness, humility, and dedication to service. His simple lifestyle shows that anyone can live a holy life and make valuable contributions to the Church regardless of their status or position. His unwavering faith amid great suffering serves as a model for Catholics facing challenges in their lives.
In 1986, Pope John Paul II beatified him, and later canonized him a saint in 2011. Today, Nicola Saggio is invited for intercession in times of incurable diseases and family discord. His feast day is celebrated on February 23.
What miracles were associated with Saint Nicola Saggio?
Saint Nicola Saggio, who is also known as Nicholas Saggio of Longobardi, was a remarkable figure in the Catholic faith because of his humility, obedience, and numerous miracles attributed to him. He was born on January 6, 1650, in the region of Longobardi, Calabria, Italy, and died on February 3, 1709.
One of the most significant miracles associated with Saint Nicola Saggio is the healing of several seriously ill people even before his death. He reportedly held a strong connection with God that enabled these miracles to occur.
Moreover, another well-documented miracle associated with this saint happened after his death. This was when a woman named Anna Felicia had been suffering from an incurable condition for three years. After placing a picture of Nicola Saggio on her chest, she experienced a sudden relief from her pain and symptoms. This miraculous recovery was reported to the authorities and was later recognized as a miracle in the beatification process of Saint Nicola Saggio.
Another well-known miracle is referred to as the miracle of the tree. According to the story, Nicola Saggio had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary who told him to strike a walnut tree with a stick. He did as instructed and water started flowing from it. This stream was said to have healing properties and is considered a holy place today.
In addition, throughout his life and after his death, numerous miracles and extraordinary phenomena were reported, which further elevate his status as a saint. These included immediate responses to prayers, unexpected healings, and even instances of bilocations.
Due to these miracles and his profound devotion to his faith, Nicola Saggio was beatified by Pope Pius VII in 1806 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2001. His feast day is celebrated on February 3, marking the day of his death.
How are the teachings of Saint Nicola Saggio relevant to today’s Catholic followers?
Saint Nicola Saggio was an Italian Catholic known for his ascetic lifestyle and dedication to serving the less fortunate. His teachings and lifestyle are relevant to today's Catholic followers in several ways.
1. Importance of Charity: Saint Nicola Saggio was known for his devotion to helping others, specifically the poor and needy. In a world where disparity is increasing, his teachings remind us of our responsibilities toward the marginalized sections of society.
2. Humility and Devotion: Despite his own hardships, Saint Nicola remained humble and focused on his devotion to God. These traits are highly relevant today when personal ambition can easily overshadow the importance of humility and selflessness.
3. Living a Simple Life: Saint Nicola Saggio lived a life of abstinence and simplicity, avoiding materialistic pleasures. This is especially pertinent today, as our culture is increasingly centered on consumerism. His life teaches us that happiness does not lie in material goods but in spiritual fulfillment.
4. Value of Suffering: Saint Nicola Saggio believed suffering was a path to spiritual growth. In times of hardship, we can remember his teachings and find solace in our faith.
In conclusion, Saint Nicola Saggio's teachings guide us in how to lead a modest, charitable life focused on helping others and nurturing our spiritual growth.
What are the significant events in the life of Saint Nicola Saggio that contributed to his sainthood?
Saint Nicola Saggio, known also as Nicholas of Longobardi, was an Italian Roman Catholic professed religious from the Order of Minims. His life witnessed a series of significant events that eventually led to his sainthood.
1. Call to Religious Life: Born into a poor family in 1650, Nicola Saggio received a divine call to the religious life at the tender age of seven. Despite his tender age, he exhibited matured spiritual wisdom and determination to follow the divine call.
2. Dedication to Prayer and Penance: Nicola Saggio joined the Order of Minims at the age of 18. He stood out for his profound spirit of prayer, penance, and asceticism. He had a profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Virgin Mary.
3. Life of Humility and Service: Despite being recognized for his piety and religious fervor, Nicola Saggio chose to live a humble life. He did not seek any clerical promotion and lived as a lay brother. He was dedicated to serving others and considered washing dishes and begging for alms as his favorite tasks.
4. Power of Miracles: Nicola Saggio performed numerous miracles during his lifetime, including healings and prophesying future events. Even after his death, many miracles have been reported through his intercession. His most famous miracle is the healing of Bishop Stephen Scarella who was dying from a severe infection. After praying for his intercession, the bishop experienced a miraculous recovery.
5. Endurance in Suffering: Throughout his life, Nicola Saggio suffered from various health problems including chronic fevers and digestive issues. However, he saw the suffering as a path to sanctity and bore them patiently without complaint.
6. Canonization: Nicola Saggio was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1786, and eventually canonized as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II on 12 June 2001.
The life of Saint Nicola Saggio is indeed a testament to strong faith, humility, service to others, and patient endurance in suffering, which contributed significantly to his canonization as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
How does the Catholic Church commemorate Saint Nicola Saggio and what is his feast day?
The Catholic Church commemorates Saint Nicola Saggio as a model of humble piety and devout faith. He is seen as a guide for those who strive for deeper religious meaning in their daily lives, particularly in the context of hardship. Born in 1650, Nicola Saggio endured a life of poverty and illness but never wavered in his devotion to God. He joined the Order of Minims and was known for his intense mortifications, extraordinary patience, humility, purity, and obedience.
Nicola's feast day, most notably celebrated by those within the Order of Minims and by those who have developed special devotion to him, is on the 3rd of February. This day is spent reflecting on the life and virtues of Saint Nicola and may involve attending Mass, prayer services, or other acts of devotion. The faithful are encouraged to seek intercession from Saint Nicola and to strive for the qualities for which he is celebrated: humility, piety, and a deep, unwavering faith even in times of suffering.
The Church often recalls Saint Nicola's words, "Would that everyone knew how precious suffering is," as a reminder of his absolute trust in God's plan, even amidst pain and hardship. Through commemorating Nicola Saggio, the Church extends this message of holy surrender and stoic faith to its faithful.