Saint of the Day: Paulinus of Nola, Bishop, Lover of the Poor



Saint Paulinus was born to a wealthy family at Bordeaux in France in 355. He became a distinguished lawyer, senator, and later governor of the Province of Campania. However, he soon realized that he could not find in public life the happiness he sought.

He married a Spanish lady, a Christian named Therasia. He owed his conversion to her, to the Bishop Delphinus of Bordeaux and his successor the Presbyter Amandus, and to St. Martin of Tours, who had cured him of an eye disease. When Paulinus lost his only child eight days after birth, the couple decided to spend the rest of their lives devoted to God. They gave away most of their estates and dedicated themselves to living holy lives, caring for the poor.

Paulinus was ordained a priest (celibacy was not yet a requirement), later made bishop of that city, and promoted the cult of St. Felix. He composed beautiful poems and hymns and corresponded with the great saints of his time, Ambrose and Augustine. When a poor widow asked for money to ransom her son, he gave himself into slavery. With God's aid he returned to his flock and died at the age of seventy-eight in 431. His last words were: "I will prepare a lamp for My anointed" (Ps. 131). His prominent virtue was love for the poor.

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