The Saints Who Made Christmas: Nicholas

Nicholas was hurrying through the streets of Myra, browsing the town’s handful of shops and markets for vegetables. The kindhearted bishop of Myra knew that in the winter, vegetables were scarce, but knowing that fact didn't stop him from perusing the stands at the market, making sure his suspicions were true. 

Nicholas’ eyes caught on a slew of carrots sitting atop a wooden table. He walked over and began to inspect the vegetables under the cautious eyes of the woman manning the market stand. As he was looking the healthy, fire-colored carrots on the table, his ears caught on a conversation going on a few paces over. 

“Did you hear about Mustafa’s daughters?” one woman asked. “It looks as though he will have to sell them off, since he cannot pay the appropriate dowry.”

“It was going to happen sooner or later,” the other woman replied with a sigh. “Mustafa has never had much money at all.”

Upon hearing the words of the women near him, Nicholas’ mind fell deep into thought. He knew Mustafa as a good, honorable man, even though he was not a Catholic and did not attend Nicholas’ church. He knew Mustafa would be eternally grieved if his daughters were not with him, especially knowing they were working as slaves. Nicholas’ heart was saddened by the women’s revelation, but he did not know what to do. 

“Bishop, are you going to pay for those carrots?” the shopkeeper asked, pulling Nicholas from the world of his thoughts and back onto the chilly Myra street. Nicholas nodded absentmindedly and pulled a pouch full of gold coins from his pocket, extracting one and handing it over to the shopkeeper. As the woman wrapped up the carrots and handed them to Nicholas, he had an idea. What if he were to go to Mustafa’s house and give the money to him? 

No, he thought. He didn't want Mustafa to know it was him - Nicholas was a very humble man. As he walked through the winding streets with an armful of carrots, Nicholas pondered how he would deliver the money to Mustafa without the kind man knowing it had been the bishop of Myra. If he left it outside, it might be stolen. He could throw it inside…but there was no guarantee the windows would be unlocked. 

Nicholas was deep in thought for the rest of the evening. After a while, he decided to put some coins in a bag and walk over to Mustafa’s house to see if, perhaps, G’D had left a window open for him. Praying all the way, the timid bishop asked G’D to provide a way for him to leave the money safely with the family.

As he approached the house, he peeked through the window. No one was in their living room except for the three daughters, who were sleeping on a cot under the window. He tapped the window to see if it would open, and by the grace of G’D, it did! Relieved, Nicholas looked for a place to drop it. He couldn’t leave it with the girls - they would wake up, and he didn't want them to see him standing there. Nicholas’ eyes caught on their wet shoes, drying off by the fire. 

I’ll throw them in there! Nicholas thought. Carefully, he tossed the bag towards the shoes. Nicholas, however, was bad at aiming and instead the bag hit the side of one of the shoes and fell to the ground. The coins spilled loudly out of the pouch, covering the floor with gold. With a gasp, Nicholas hurried to the side of the house so as not to be seen. He heard the sounds of Mustafa coming out of the back room, and the jolly noises of the girls, exclaiming at their good fortune. Happily, Nicholas listened to the sounds of the girls and their father, crying and laughing together at the sight of the precious coins. Nicholas instantly lifted his face to the heavens and thanked G’D for allowing him to help the family in need. 

Nicholas’ generous actions have inspired the whole world, both religious and secular, to call Christmas the “season of giving”. Nicholas’ example of generosity can inspire you too on your road to sainthood!

Our Blessed Friends #2

 “I AM NOT AFRAID”

Anasztáz János Brenner

It was a cold December morning when the villagers came upon the murdered priest. They gasped as they recognized him as the beloved Father Anasztáz. Covered in 32 wounds, the courageous priest still clutched the Eucharist close to his heart. Who was this “Hungarian Tarcisius”, and what had happened to him?

Born János Brenner to a Hungarian couple almost 26 years earlier, Father Anasztáz was the second of three boys. He attended a Cistercian school in his homeland of Hungary until the communists closed it. His experiences with the Cistercians caused Father Anasztáz to discern religious life. At the age of eighteen, he began his studies for the priesthood, taking the name Anasztáz. Six years later he was ordained and adopted the Biblical motto of Romans 8:28 - “ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE G’D.” 

Father Anasztáz used his energy to teach people about the faith, especially children. He was told by the communists to stop, but he would not bow to their demands. He trusted G’D and that helped him remain courageous in the face of threats and even attempts on his life. The bishop, however, was concerned and he offered Father Anasztáz a position elsewhere. Father remarked, “I AM NOT AFRAID; I WOULD LIKE TO STAY.”

On 14 December 1957, Father Anasztáz received word that a dying man was in need of last rites. Father rushed to him, even in the late hour, but was ambushed by communists in the forest and killed. The communists hoped his murder would discourage Catholics from practicing their faith, but Father’s example only strengthened their faith.

Now, with the communism enforced by the Soviet Union dissipated, a chapel stands on the site where Father Anasztáz fell. It stands courageously as a reminder of the holy courage that we can all take up if we put our trust completely in G’D.