Saint Nicholas Tavelic, Saint of the day for 6 November

Saint of the day for November 6
(1340-14 November 1391)

San Nicola Tavelic and the story of the companions

Nicholas and his three companions are among the 158 Franciscans martyred in the Holy Land since the friars became custodians of the shrines in 1335.

Nicholas was born in 1340 to a rich and noble Croatian family. He joined the Franciscans and was sent with Deodat of Rodez to preach in Bosnia. In 1384 they volunteered for missions in the Holy Land and were sent there. They looked after the holy places, took care of Christian pilgrims and studied Arabic.

In 1391, Nicola, Deodat, Pietro di Narbonne and Stefano di Cuneo decided to adopt a direct approach to the conversion of Muslims. On November 11, they went to the huge Omar mosque in Jerusalem and asked to see the Qadix, a Muslim official. Reading from a prepared statement, they said that all people must accept the gospel of Jesus. When they were ordered to withdraw their statement, they refused. After the beatings and imprisonment, they were beheaded in front of a large crowd.

Nicholas and his companions were canonized in 1970. They are the only Franciscans martyred in the Holy Land to be canonized. The liturgical feast of St. Nicholas Tavelic and Companions is November 14th.

Reflection

Francis presented two missionary approaches for his friars. Nicholas and his companions followed the first approach - living in silence and bearing witness to Christ - for several years. Then they felt called to take the second approach of preaching openly. Their Franciscan confreres in the Holy Land are still working by example to make Jesus better known.