This year the Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas is superseded by the Second Sunday of Advent, but I think it's well and good to continue the tradition of honoring this saint in one's home.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of myth mixed in with fact regarding the story of his life, so here's some resources on St. Nick and how he came to be associated with the jolly fat man in the red suit. Also, ever wonder why you always find candy in your shoes on this day? That will be answered here too.

• St. Nicholas Society
• About Us
• History
• A Little Office
• How to Celebrate
• Stories
• Holy Cards
• Postmarks


• St. Nicholas Center: Discovering the Truth about Santa Claus
• Who Is St. Nicholas?
• Around the World
• How to Celebrate
• Events
• For Kids


• Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas, bishop
• Feast of St. Nicholas
• Catholic Online: St. Nicholas
• Domestic Church: St. Nicholas
• Patron Saints Index: Nicholas of Myra
• St. Nicholas of Myra
• The Real St. Nicholas
• St. Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus
• Who Is St. Nicholas?
• Santa Claus vs. St. Nicholas?
• Lives of Saints: St. Nicholas of Myra, Bishop, Confessor
• The Life of the Holy Hierarch and Wonderworker, Nicholas, Bishop of Myra
• Selections from The Life of Nicholas by Symeon the Metaphrast
• St. Nicholas Coloring Pages: One and Two (who doesn't like to color?)
• Wikipedia: St. Nicholas
• A Baptist Take on St. Nicholas
• Santa Claus
• Celebrating the Feast of St. Nicholas
• St. Nicholas Eve
• Visit of St. Nicholas
• St. Nicholas and the War Against Christmas
• St. Nicholas Reveals the True Spirit of Giving
• Spirituality: The Feast of St. Nicholas
• Celebrate the Real Santa Today
• St. Nicholas, Santa, and the Elf on the Shelf
• St Nicholas: He Who Punches Heretics in the Face (and Gives Gifts to Children)

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic