Felix of Nola

Who they were

Felix, born at Nola near Naples in the third century, gave almost all his goods to the poor and was ordained priest by Bishop Maximus. In the Decian persecution of 250 he was scourged, chained and imprisoned. Tradition tells that an angel freed him to help his fugitive bishop, whom he found half dead from cold and hunger, and that when the persecutors sought him again a spider wove its web over the hole where he hid.

After the persecution he refused to be made bishop and would not take back his confiscated property, renting a small plot that he farmed himself and giving the rest to the poor. He died at a great age on 14 January. St Paulinus of Nola, who served at his shrine, tells of the pilgrims who came to it.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Felix has been honoured as a confessor since the third century. The wonders of his story come from tradition.

Why that counted as sanctity

Felix suffered for Christ without dying, then chose poverty and humility, refusing honours and possessions to live for the poor.

Connected on this site

• Paulinus of Nola Saint
  “St Paulinus of Nola, who served at his shrine, tells of the pilgrims who came to it.” — this site's research