Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 11.djvu/91

 NICHOLAS

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NICHOLS

gesch., IV (1888); Pfeiffer, Deutsche MysHker des I4. Jahrh., I (Leipzig. 1845).

Thos. a. K. Reilly.

Nicholas of Tolentino, Saint, b. at Sant' Angelo, near Fermo, in the March of Ancona, about 1246; d. 10 September, 1300. He is depicted in the black habit of the Hermits of St. Augustine — a star above him or on his breast, a Hly, or a crucifix garlanded with hlies, in his hand. Sometimes, instead of the lily, he holds a vial filled with money or bread. His parents, said to have been called Compagnonus de Guarutti and Amata de Guidiani (these surnames may merely indicate their birth-places), were pious folk, perhaps gentle born, living content with a small substance. Nicholas was born in response to prayer, his mother being advanced in years. From his childhood he was a model of holiness. He excelled so much in his studies that even before they were over he was made a canon of St. Saviour's church; but hearing a sermon by a hermit of St. Augustine upon the text: "Nolite diligere munilum, nee ea qute sunt in mundo, quia mundus transit et concupiscentia ejus", he felt a call to embrace the religious life. He besought the hermit for admittance into his order. His parents gave a joyful consent. Even before his ordination he was sent to different monasteries of his order, at Recanati, Maeerata etc., as a model of generous striving after perfection. He made his profession before he was nineteen. After his ordination he preached with wonderful success, notably at Tolentino, where he spent his last thirty years and gave a discourse nearly every day. Towards the end diseases tried his pa- tience, but he kept up his mortifications almost to the hour of death. He possessed an angelic meekness, a guileless simplicity, and a tender love of virginity, which he never stained, guarding it by prayer and ex- traordinary mortifications. He was canonized by Eugene IV in 1446; his feast is celebrated on 10 September. His tomb, at Tolentino, is held in ven- eration by the faithful.

Acta SS.,"Sept., Ill, 636: Butlek, Lives of the Saints, III (Balti- more), 440; Hagele in Kirchenlex,, a. v.

Edward F. Garesch6.

Nicholas Pieck (also spelled Pick), Saint, Friar Minor and inartvr, li, at Gorkum, Holland, 29 August, 1534; (1. at Uriel, Holland, 9 July, 1572. He cameof an old and honourable family. His parents, John Pieck and Henrica Clavia, were deeply attached to the Catholic faith, and the former on several oc- casions distinguished himself by his zeal against the innovations of Calvinism. Nicholas was sent to college at Bois-le-Duc ('S Hertogenbosch), and as soon as he had completed his classical studies he received the habit of tlie Friars Minor at the convent in that town. After his profession he was sent to the convent at Louvain to follow the course of study at the celebrated university there. Nicholas was or- dained priest in 1558 and thenceforth devoted himself to the apostolic ministry. He evangelized the prin- cipal towns of Holland and Belgium, combating heresy everywhere, strengthening Cathohcs in their faith, and distinguishing himself by his singular humility, modesty, charity, and zeal for the honour of God and the salvation of souls. He was of an open disposition, gay and genial, and his whole bearing inspired affection and respect. His superiors, ap- preciating his fine qualifies, appointed him guardian of the convent at Gorkum, his native town.

When this place was threatened by the Calvinists, Nicholas delivered several discourses to his fellow- townsmen, forewarning them against the dangerous errors of Calvinism. In particular, he proved by un- answerable arguments the dogma of the Real Pres- ence, showing it to be a marvellous extension of the Incarnation, and he left nothing undone to bring his two brothers back to the true fold. When the citadel XI.— 5

of Gorkum was taken by the Watergeuzen, the heretics detained the priests and religious, and confined them in a dark and foul dungeon. (See Gorkum, The Martyrs of.) During the first night the Calvin- ists vented their rage particularly against Nicholas. Tying about his neck the cord which girded his loins, they first suspended him from a beam and then let him fall heavily to the ground. This torture was prolonged till the cord broke, and the martyr, seem- ingly lifeless, fell to the floor. They then applied a burning torch to his ears, forehead, and chin, and forced open his mouth to burn his tongue and palate, either to find out whether he was still alive or in order to torture him. Meanwhile, the two brothers of Nicholas were busy taking steps to obtain the deliverance of the captives. This was promised them only on condition that the prisoners would renounce the authority of the pope, and, as nothing could make Nicholas and his companions waver in their faith, they were taken to Brief, where they all gained the crown of martyrdom. Nicholas and his companions were beatified by Clement X, 24 November, 1675, and canonized by Pius IX, 29 June, 1S67.

Clary. Lives of the Saints and Blessed of the Three Orders of Saint Francis. II (Taunton. 1886), 4.57-65; SEDULins, Historia Seraphica (Antwerp, 161.3). 671 sq.; Schoutens, Martyrotogium Minoritico-Belgicum (Antwerp. 1901). 114-15; EsTlus. Histiiriie Martyrum Gorcomiensium in Ada SS., II. .lulv (ed. 1867), 804- 808; WADniNO. Annates Minorum, XX. 381-418. (For further bibliography see Gorkum. The Martyrs of.)

Ferdinand Heckmann.

Nichols (or NicoLLs), George, Venerable, Eng- hsh martyr, b. at Oxford about 1550; executed at 0.x- ford, 19 October, 1589. He entered Brasenose Col- lege in 1564 or 1565, and was readmitted 20 August, 1567, and supplicated for his B.A. degree in 1570-1. He subsequently became an usher at St. Paul's School, London. He arrived at Reims with Thomas Pilchard (q. v.), 20 Nov., 1581; but went on to Rome, whence he returned 21 July, 1582. Ordained subdeacon and deacon at Laon (probably by Bishop Valentine Doug- las, O.S.B.) in April, 1.583, and priest at Reims (by Cardinal Archbishop Louis de Guise) 24 Sept., he was sent on the mission the same year. Having con- verted many, notably a convicted highwayman in Ox- ford Castle, he was arrested at the Catherine Wheel Inn, opposite the east end of St. Mary Magdalen's Church, Oxford, together with Humphrey Prichard, a Welsh servant at the inn, Thomas Belson (q. v.), and Richard Yaxley. This last was a son (probably the third, certainly not the sixth) of William Ya.xlcy of Boston, Lincolnshire, by Rose, daughter of John Lang- ton of Northolme. Arriving at Reims 29 August, 1582, he received the tonsure and minor orders 23 Sept., 1583, and the subdiaconate 5 or 6 April, 1585, from the cardinal archbishop. Probably the same hand conferred the diaconate on 20 April. Tlie priest- hood was conferred at Reims by Louis de Brez6, Bishop of Meaux,21 Sept., 1,585. Yaxley left Reims for England 28 January, 1585-(!. All four prisoners were sent from Oxford to the Bridewell prison in Lon- don, where the two priests were li:ui;;e(l u|> for five hours to make them betray their hosts, but. without avail. Yaxley was sent to the Tower as it clo.-ie prisoner 25 May, 1589, and appears to have been racked fre- quently. Belson was sent to the (i;itehou.se. The other two remained in Bridewell, Nichols being put into "a deep dungeon full of venomous vermin". On 30 June all four were ordered back to Oxford to take their trial. All were condemned, the priests for trea- son, the laymen for felony. Nichols suffered first, then Yaxley, then Belson, and last Prii'.hanl. The i)riest8' heads were set up on the castle, and their quarters on the four city gates.

Challoner^ Memoirs of Missionary Priests, I. no3. 73-5; Poi/- LEN. Catholic Record Society, V (London. 1908). passim: DasenT, Acts of the Privy Council. XVII (London, 1800-1907). 203, 329; Knox. First and Second Diaries of English College, Douai (London, 1878), passim; Harleian Societu Publications, LII (London, 1904),