Saint of the Day – 18 May – Blessed Nicholas Denise of Beuzeville OFM (Died 1509) Priest, renowned Preacher and Friar of the Order of Friars Minor, Vicar General if tge Diocese of Coutance, France. The Blessed Father Nicholas became a noted preacher in the region, and many of his sermons and theological writings have survived.
We have no information of Nicholas’ early life besides knowing that he had received a very good education. He became a Canon of the Cathedral of Coutance and then was appointed as the Vicar General ar of Bishop Goffred.
Finding himself increasingly drawn to the life of St Francis, he abandoned his role under Bishop of Coutance in order to follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis, wearing the Habit of the Minor Friars, in the Convent of Valognes.
In the congregation he became the Vicar-Provincial of the Parisian Province and did not support General Egidius Delphin, in his questionable project of re-unification of the Franciscan Order.
An educated man and a famous preacher, he was considered a saint by all. He died in 1509, while holding the position of Guardian of the Convent of Rouen. Upon his death, his tomb became the object of great demonstrations of popular veneration.
Various sermons and various theological works by Blessed Nicholas are preserved. In the Franciscan Martyrologies, the feast and remembrance for Father Nicola Denise of Beuzeville is fixed for today, 18 May.
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