now under an American General Superior as well as an American pope! “Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV and for the Church throughout the world,” Fr. Joe wrote. “As the Holy Father desires, may our world be filled with the peace of Christ, may everyone recognize that God loves us all, and may the world be open to the gentle guidance of Our Lady as we traverse the pathway to Heaven!” Amen! Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Now, I want to take this occasion to reintroduce you all to another famous Augustinian priest, St. Nicholas of Tolentino (1245-1305), whom then-Friar Robert Prevost chose as his patron saint on Aug. 29, 1981, when he took perpetual vows. We celebrate St. Nicholas’ feast on Sept. 10 (shortly before the 15th Annual Mercy for Souls Conference on Sept. 13 — please join us!). Pope Leo’s home province of Augustinian Friars tell the story of St. Nicholas of Tolentino on their website, MidwestAugustinians.org: As a priest and religious, he was full of charity towards his brother Augustinians as well as towards the people to whom he ministered. He visited the sick and cared for the needy. He was a noted preacher of the Gospel. He gave special attention to those who had fallen away from the Church. People considered him a miracle worker. He often fasted and performed other works of penance. He spent long hours in prayer. The story is told that . . . Nicholas, while asleep in bed, heard the voice of a deceased friar he had known. This friar told Nicholas that he was in Purgatory, and urged him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and other souls there, so that they would be set free by the power of Christ. Nicholas did so for seven days. The friar again spoke to Nicholas, thanking him and assuring him that a large number of souls were now with God. Because of this Nicholas was proclaimed patron of the souls in Purgatory. Full of wonder When the Marian Family lives our founding charism of praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, we practice one of the most blessed forms of Works of Mercy. Saint Nicholas of Tolentino’s intercession for the souls in Purgatory proves that. The Church has tasked one of her most powerful intercessors with the same work you and I practice — what better signal can we have of the importance of persisting in offering prayers, suffrages, and indulgences for the dead? Pray for the souls in Purgatory, like St. Nicholas of Tolentino did. And pray for his brother Augustinian, Pope Leo XIV. Father Dan Cambra, MIC, is the spiritual director of the Holy Souls Soldality. Visit PrayForSouls.org to learn more. We invite you to join the Marians this November in our month-long remembrance of all the faithful departed. Please visit Marian.org/b67 to join us in our November remembrance. Marian Helper • Fall 2025 • Marian.org 19 Metropolitan Museum of Art/Open Access.
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