A patron saint for altar servers
August 5, 2011
Even among saints there is a hierarchy in which martyrs and mystics seem to get the lion’s share of attention. It’s only natural – we’re
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A patron saint for the sick
February 9, 2011
In the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Health of the sick” is one of the many titles under which we invoke Our Lady. In
A patron saint for dogs
August 5, 2010
The dog with the loaf of bread in its mouth has become St. Rocco’s emblem, appearing beside him in virtually every picture or statue of the saint.
A patron saint for arthritis and rheumatism
July 15, 2010
Two apostles bore the name James. The St. James we are discussing is called “the Greater” because with his brother St. John and St. Peter he was a member of Our Lord’s inner circle. These three apostles were alone with Christ when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead and cured St. Peter’s mother-in-law. They were the only apostles to witness the Lord’s glorious Transfiguration and the only apostles to watch with Him (until sleep overcame them) during His bitter agony in the garden.
A patron saint for publishing professionals
June 2, 2010
St. Columba is the patron of everyone involved in the book publishing business, but he could also be invoked against copyright infringement. St. Columba was
A patron saint for the disabled
April 7, 2010
Blessed Margaret’s life is one of the most heart-wrenching stories in the calendar of saints. She was born blind, with severe curvature of the spine; her right leg was an inch and a half shorter than her left, and her left arm was malformed. She never grew beyond four feet tall.
A patron saint for thieves
March 17, 2010
All four Gospels tell us that Christ was crucified between two thieves. In St. Luke’s Gospel, we get a more complete story. As the three hung dying on their crosses “the bad thief” mocks Jesus saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” At which point “the “good thief” speaks up. “Do you not fear God?” he asks his companion. “We are receiving the due reward for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then addressing Christ he says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingly power.” “Truly I say to you,” Jesus replies, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
A patron saint for fishermen
November 20, 2009
The Acts of the Apostles does not tell us what became of St. Andrew after the first Pentecost, when the disciples scattered to carry the gospel to every corner of the Mediterranean world. Tradition says that St. Andrew carried the gospel to Greece, although the Russians believe that he also traveled into their country. At the town of Patras on Greece’s western coast St. Andrew was arrested and tied to an X-shaped cross. The legend claims it took him three days to die, and all the while he hung on the cross St. Andrew preached to anyone who passed by.
A patron saint for military chaplains
October 21, 2009
After conquering Constantinople on May 29, 1453, the Ottoman Turks turned their eyes toward Europe. Three years later a Turkish army of approximately 60,000 men marched into Hungary. Arrayed against the invaders was a force of experienced fighting men led by Janos Hunyady, a Hungarian general who had been battling the Turks for at least 20 years, and a Franciscan priest, St. John of Capistrano, who led a rag-tag army of peasants armed mostly with knives, slings and farm implements.
A patron saint for hearing ailments
September 11, 2009
St. Cornelius (died 253) Feast day: Sept. 16 With St. Cornelius we have an example of a saint whose patronage is based on the Latin
