E04741: Paulinus of Nola, writing in Latin between 395 and 408, in Spain and later Nola (southern Italy), composes fourteen poems (the Natalicia) to be delivered on the feast day of *Felix (priest and confessor of Nola, S00000). These poems provide an account of Felix’s life. They also describe devotion to Felix, focusing on his feast day, 14 January; miracles performed by the saint; and the expansion of Felix’s shrine which took place under Paulinus. Overview entry.

Paulinus of Nola, Natalicia

The Natalicia are a series of poems, each one delivered annually on Felix’s feast day [14 January]. Each poem starts with a statement to this effect, a declaration of Felix’s holiness, and Paulinus’ duty to celebrate this.

Natalicium 1 [AD 395]
Paulinus describes his desire to travel to Nola.

Natalicium 2 [396]
Paulinus describes his journey to Nola.

Natalicium 3 [397]
Paulinus describes the devotion of pilgrims to Felix, his miraculous powers and his feast day celebrations. The feast day is identified as twenty days after the solstice, on which day Christ was born in the flesh (post solstitium, quo Christus corpore natus). For more on this theme – which appears throughout all fourteen poems of the Natalicia – see $E04767.

Natalicium 4 [398]
An account of Felix’s life is given. In a period of persecution, Felix rises to be the de-facto leader of the Christians in Nola when Maximus, the bishop, fled. He was tortured and imprisoned. Here two miracles are described: Paulinus is miraculously freed from prison. He then finds a weakened Maximus in the wilderness and restores him to health.

Natalicium 5 [399]
Paulinus continues the account of Felix’s life. After being freed, Felix's enemies were unable to recognise him, even when speaking to his face. On another occasion, a spider built a web over the entrance of the house he was hiding in, and kept him safe. After this, Paulinus hid in a chamber of a cistern for several months, demonstrating his ascetic prowess. Once the period of persecution was over, Felix returned to society, but continued to live modestly.

Natalicium 6 [400]
Paulinus opens this poem by considering the nature of miracles. Felix’s soul lives on after death, and so can bring about miracles on earth. The strength to effect these miracles comes from Christ.

Paulinus then describes Felix’s death and funeral: although his death was a happy occasion, the grief and devotion of the people of Nola – exemplified in their desire to see, touch and kiss the body – demonstrate his sanctity.

The healing miracles effected at the tomb are further evidence of this sanctity. Paulinus gives an example. A farmer’s oxen were stolen, he went to the shrine of Felix and, weeping, demanded the return of the beasts. The farmer prayed all day. Although Felix was amused by the audacity of the farmer’s demands, he returned the oxen because he was impressed by the faith of this simple man. The farmer returned to Felix’s shrine and related this tale to all gathered there.

Natalicium 7 [401]
Felix’s exorcism miracles are mentioned. A hook from a lamp caught Theridius, a monk, in the eye, injuring him severely. Theridius prayed to Felix for aid, which was provided. He retrieved the hook and his eye was washed clean and healed with tears. Felix is identified as the special guardian of the audience of this poem.

Natalicium 8 [402]
The people of Nola ought to reach out to Felix for aid in times of hardship and invasion. Paulinus describes the suffering of a farm labourer who was possessed by an evil spirit which caused him to devour the raw flesh of animals. He was cured in the church of Felix. Paulinus describes how crowds are routinely cured by Felix’s power. He also states that each saint has their own 'brightness' (lumen), but all are equal as the same God works through them.

Natalicium 9 [403]
Paulinus celebrates the presence of Nicetas, bishop of Remesiana, in modern Serbia, (ob. 414) at Felix’s feast day celebrations. He then describes the basilica complex, completed under his guidance, at Felix’s shrine in Cimitile, Nola. See $E04768.

Natalicium 10 [404]
The basilica complex is described in further detail. The miraculous burning of two small huts, which ruined the beauty of the complex, is narrated. None of the buildings of the basilica were harmed, due to the protection afforded by a relic of the True Cross.

Natalicium 11 [405]
Paulinus states that great saints are granted to great cities, and places Nola alongside cities such as Rome, which houses the Apostles, *Peter (S00036) and *Paul (S00008). Felix is able to torment any demons which enter his church in Nola and heal those who need it. Paulinus also describes the translation of various relics, referring to Ambrose’s discovery and translation of the bodies of holy men, Gervasius and Protasius (martyrs of Milan, S00313) and Constantine’s translation of the relics of *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288) and *Timothy (the disciple of Paul the Apostle, S00466) to Constantinople.

Paulinus recounts one story to demonstrate Felix’s power. A thief attempted to steal treasures from Felix’s church, including a golden cross. The man took sanctuary in the church pretending he was evading military service. He attempted to travel to Rome, but was unable to leave the vicinity of Nola and was soon caught after walking in circles for many days. The thief had been unable to break up the golden cross which was then returned to the church.

Natalicium 12 [406]
Paulinus recounts three stories, all of which relate to animals. A stranger from Abella [near Nola] fulfilled a vow he had made by slaughtering a pig in Nola for the poor. He divided the head and offal between the poor, and retained the body for himself. The man was thrown from his horse, which returned to Felix’s church. The man also returned, supported by others as he could not walk properly. He distributed all the meat to the poor and was healed.

Several farmers brought a pig as an offering to Felix. The pig was so fat it could not walk, so they turned back to get piglets to offer instead. When they reached the house, the pig had returned to the house and was willing to be slaughtered.

Other men planned to offer a heifer to the poor. The animal refused a yoke, but galloped ahead to the shrine of Felix, of its own accord.

Natalicium 13 [407]
Paulinus celebrates the end of fighting, and attributes this to Felix, Peter and Paul. He narrates stories from his own life and attributes his own conversion to Felix’s influence. Regularly, perfumed oil (nardus) would be poured into the tomb, and the resulting discharge was thought to have miraculous powers. One day, strange dust and pieces of bone were found in this oil. Fearing an animal had entered the tomb, they opened it. Yet no animal was found, and Felix remained undisturbed. See $E05123.

Natalicium 14 [408]
[incomplete] Paulinus begins by restating Felix’s sanctity and his duty to praise him.

Summary: Frances Trzeciak.