Saint Paulinus of Nola

Saint Paulinus of Nola, also known as Paulinus Nolanus, was a significant figure in the early Christian Church. Here's a brief overview of his life:

**Birth and Early Life**: Born as Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus around 354 AD in Burdigala (now Bordeaux, France).

**Career**: He was a Roman poet, writer, and senator who attained the ranks of suffect consul around 377 and governor of Campania from around 380 to 381.

**Conversion to Christianity**: Following the assassination of the emperor Gratian and under the influence of his Hispanic wife Therasia of Nola, he abandoned his career, was baptized as a Christian, and probably after Therasia's death became bishop of Nola in Campania.

**Contributions**: He wrote poems in honor of his predecessor Saint Felix and corresponded with other Christian leaders throughout the empire. He is credited with the introduction of bells to Christian worship and helped resolve the disputed election of Pope Boniface I.

**Death**: He died on June 22, 431, in Nola, Italy.

**Veneration**: His renunciation of his wealth and station in favor of an ascetic and philanthropic life was held up as an example by many of his contemporaries—including Augustine, Jerome, Martin, and Ambrose—and he was subsequently venerated as a saint¹. His feast day is observed on June 22 in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.



Paulinus, born in the year of restored salvation 353 of a very famous Roman family of Bordeaux, acquired the dignity of senator.

He was made consul of Nola, but a divine light prompted him to renounce the consulship and return to Bordeaux, where he was baptized by St. Delphinus.

Then, giving to the poor the large sum obtained by the sale of his goods, he went to Spain, where he was ordained priest. When he returned to Nola, he built a monastery near the grave of St. Felix and, with the companions who joined him, undertook a most austere cenobitical life.

As the fame of his holiness grew, he was elevated to the bishopric of Nola, in which office he left an example of wonderful devotion, patience, and especially charity.

He wrote many works on sacred doctrine and also gained a reputation for eloquence and poetry.

When Campania was devastated by the Goths, he used all his goods to feed the poor and redeem captives. And later, when the Vandals infested the same region and he had nothing more to give, he gave himself into slavery for the son of a widow, and was taken to Africa.

At length, restored to liberty, by the hand of God, he died a peaceful death in the Lord at Nola.



Please note that there is another Saint Paulinus, who was an Italian missionary, converted Northumbria to Christianity, became the first bishop of York, and was later made archbishop of Rochester³. His feast day is on October 10³. It's important to distinguish between these two when studying hagiography or the history of the Church.

(1) Paulinus of Nola - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulinus_of_Nola.

(2) Saint Paulinus | Roman Catholic, Northumbria & Missionary. https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+Paulinus+biography.

(3) Saint Paulinus | Roman Catholic, Northumbria & Missionary. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paulinus.

(4) Saint Paulinus of Nola | Bishop, Poet, Patron | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paulinus-of-Nola.