Fiesta of San Nicolas de Tolentino

A friar of prayer, bread and mercy

St. Nicholas of Tolentino (c. 1245–1305) was an Augustinian friar in central Italy, remembered for his long hours of prayer, his preaching and his care for the sick and the poor. He was canonized in 1446 and is invoked especially for the souls in Purgatory.

He came to Tandag with the Augustinian Recollects, who began their mission here in 1622 under his patronage. Four centuries later he is still the patron of the Cathedral and of the whole Diocese of Tandag.

Feast day: 10 September
Nine-day novena before the fiesta
Patron of the souls in Purgatory

The fiesta in Tandag

Every September the city and the diocese gather around their patron.

Nine-day novena

The fiesta is prepared with a novena of Masses and prayers at the Cathedral. The parish announces the schedule each year.

Pan ni San Nicolas

Blessed bread, the “bread of St. Nicholas”, is shared with the faithful, above all with the sick, in memory of the saint’s charity.

Feast day — 10 September

The solemn Mass of the patron is celebrated at the Cathedral, followed by the celebrations of the city fiesta.

Questions

According to tradition, during a serious illness St. Nicholas was told in a vision of the Blessed Virgin to eat a little bread dipped in water. He recovered, and afterwards he gave blessed bread to the sick with a prayer. The custom of blessing “St. Nicholas bread” spread with the Augustinian friars.

The novena is held at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral in the days before 10 September. Please contact the Cathedral parish office for the schedule, and follow the diocese on Facebook for announcements.

Yes. Mass intentions are received at the parish office. See Mass Intentions for how it works.

Visit the Cathedral page Mass schedules