14 January – Saint Felix of Nola, Priest & Confessor
Optional Memorial
Third-century Italy under Decius and Valerian: persecution raging. Felix, a priest, gave everything to the poor after his father's death — land, money, freedom. Hunted for his faith, he hid in a dry well where (legend says) a spider wove a web across the opening just in time to fool the soldiers searching for him.
Tortured, escaped miraculously, then spent the rest of his life caring for the persecuted bishop Maximus until the old man died in his arms. Refused the bishopric himself — too humble — and went back to serving quietly until his own peaceful death.
St. Paulinus of Nola (who became bishop there later) wrote poems about him, turning his tomb into a pilgrimage site buzzing with miracles.
Patron of domestic animals (because angels once guided lost donkeys back to him) and against false witness, eye diseases, and perjury.
Green vestments. Ordinary Time marches on, but the early Church's quiet heroes still whisper: give it all away, hide in God when hunted, and let spiders do the rest.
When the world comes looking to cancel you for the faith, trust the web of Providence.
St. Felix of Nola, pray for the persecuted, the generous poor, and all who need a miracle in a dry well.