July 12 Nabor and Felix, Martyrs.
July 12 Nabor and Felix, Martyrs.
Died c. 304.
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Two brothers who were martyred at Milan under Maximian Herculeus during the reign of Diocletian. They owe their celebrity to the solemn translation of their relics by Saint Ambrose, who moved them from their place of interment outside the walls of Milan. St. Ambrose extolled the virtues of these two martyrs.
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Multitudes of pilgrims visited the church, now called Saint Francis, built over their new tomb, as testified by Saint Paulinus of Nola in his vita of Saint Ambrose (Attwater, Benedictines, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth). Tradition states that Savina of Milan died while praying at the tomb of Nabor and Felix.
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When Emperor Frederick Barbarossa captured Milan in 1158, he gave some of the relics of Saints Felix and Nabor to Rainald of Dassel, archbishop of Cologne, who brought them to his episcopal see. These relics are situated in a chapel in Cologne Cathedral. Nabor and Felix are depicted on the 1181 "Shrine of the Three Kings" by Nicholas of Verdun in Cologne Cathedral.
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In 1258 their relics were moved to the church of Saint Francis of Assisi that was erected in place of the Basilica Naboriana. On 14-16 April 1798, shortly before the demolition of the church of Saint Francis of Assisi, their relics were translated in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. Their relics are placed today in an ancient sarcophagus in the right nave of Sant'Ambrogio Basilica along with the relics of Saint Maternus and of Saint Valeria.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor Saints Nabor and Felix, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon them. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to them by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, Saints Nabor and Felix might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.