St. Nicholas Tavelich and Companions, Martyrs, religious of the Franciscan 1st Order.
Nicholas was the son of a noble and wealthy family of Dalmatia. His illustrious parents gave him a good education, and his progress in learning was marvelous, but no less marvelous was his progress in virtue.
When Nicholas finished his studies, a bright future smiled upon him. Everything the world could give was at his command and awaited his pleasure. However, he resolved to quit the world and enter the Order of St Francis. In spite of the great obstacles and the stubborn opposition he met, he received the humble habit of St Francis and made his novitiate with the simplicity and docility of a child.
Manual labor, study, prayer, and mortification were his delight and chief employment. After he was ordained a priest, his fervor in saying Mass caused edification and all were impressed by his sermons.
Due to his great learning and piety, Saint Nicholas Tavelich was sent as a missionary to Bosnia, a most …More