Nicholas Factor was born on June 29, 1520 — the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul — at Valencia to a Sicilian father and Valencian mother. At the age of 17 (1537), Nicholas entered the Franciscan Order at the Convent of the Ángel of Valencia.
Nicholas became the famous Valencian Franciscan Observant preacher of the Spanish Golden Age — serving as preacher across Valencia, Aragon, and Catalonia for the 46 years.
He became personally acquainted with St. Teresa of Ávila (see her existing entry) and corresponded with her on the Discalced Carmelite reform.
Nicholas became famous for his mystical-ecstatic experiences and his personal artistic vocation as a painter — producing multiple Valencian Franciscan devotional paintings.
He died at Valencia on December 23, 1583 at the age of 63.