Moparmike
Member
Its too bad I am an agnostic. I could take part in all this Saint Medal-Wearing.
Think a conversion would help my aim and rifle fundamentals?
Think a conversion would help my aim and rifle fundamentals?
Barbara, Patron Saint of Gunners
- Thread starter Nathaniel Firethorn
- Start date
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Very interesting. I always wondered what all this "patron saint" stuff meant. I can't say that I know now, but I know more than I did yesterday. Being Protestant, I never had any of this explained to me before.
I do however wear a St. Florian medal on a chain around my neck as do many (most ?) firefighters (St. Florian is supposed to be the patron saint of firefighters). I figured even through I didn't understand the whole patron saint thing, it couldn't hurt. Sometimes we need all the help we can get. Although I have it on a chain with the Celtic Cross that I got when I joined a Protestant church as a young boy.
I do however wear a St. Florian medal on a chain around my neck as do many (most ?) firefighters (St. Florian is supposed to be the patron saint of firefighters). I figured even through I didn't understand the whole patron saint thing, it couldn't hurt. Sometimes we need all the help we can get. Although I have it on a chain with the Celtic Cross that I got when I joined a Protestant church as a young boy.
XLMiguel
Member
I guess I'm more of a pantheist (God is everywhere) than anything else. I don't have a problem with asking St. Gabriel for a steady hand, or St. Barbara for no ka-booms. I need all the help I can get.
Mostly, it's the spirit of the thing. I will do the best I can, and if a little Holy Intervention comes along, I will be grateful. I figure He's pretty busy these days, and it continues to be important that we al do our part. . . .
Mostly, it's the spirit of the thing. I will do the best I can, and if a little Holy Intervention comes along, I will be grateful. I figure He's pretty busy these days, and it continues to be important that we al do our part. . . .
Mr. James
Member
Destructo6,
Not to quibble, but the Second Vatican Council was convened in 1962 under Pope John XXIII and worked until 1965, under Pope Paul VI. It was the latter who "suppressed" Saint Barbara in 1969.
Paul VI served as Pope until his death in 1978. He was succeeded - briefly - by Pope John Paul I, who died just a month after being elevated to the See of Peter. His successor, John Paul II, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his papacy.
Not to quibble, but the Second Vatican Council was convened in 1962 under Pope John XXIII and worked until 1965, under Pope Paul VI. It was the latter who "suppressed" Saint Barbara in 1969.
Paul VI served as Pope until his death in 1978. He was succeeded - briefly - by Pope John Paul I, who died just a month after being elevated to the See of Peter. His successor, John Paul II, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his papacy.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
I'm Catholic, but I thought this thread was about Barbara Mandrell....
RobW
Member
Mastrociacomo, you made my day! Thank you.
Nando Aqui
Member
I was born 4 December in Havana, Cuba. Needless to say, a 99% Catholic country - at least way back then. I was not given a middle name, but everyone proudly 'gave' me one, so aunts and uncles and others would call me "Alejandro* Bárbaro" in honor of my patron saint. Santa Bárbara, BTW, was very well known in Cuba. (*Alejandro later became Alexander when I became a US citizen.)
When Santa Bárbara was de-canonized, my family was upset, but I don't believe anyone thought any less of her anyway.
From the Okinawa Marines webpage (inpart)
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"The legend of St. Barbara's Day
According to an early seventh century legend, there was once a wealthy pagan named Dioscorus. Dioscorus had a very beautiful daughter, Barbara, whom he nearly kept prisoner in a guarded tower.
Dioscorus hired workers to construct a beautiful bathhouse and approved their design before he began a long trip. While he was gone, Barbara had the workmen add a third window to the design as a sign of the Holy Trinity. When Dioscorus came back from his journey he asked his daughter about the change and she confessed her conversion to Christianity. This sent Dioscorus into a rage.
Barbara was taken to the provincial prefect where she was tortured in the hopes that she would take back her confession. When she kept her faith, she was sentenced to death. Upon her sentencing, Dioscorus stepped forward to personally behead his daughter. As the legend holds, when Dioscorus lifted his sword a flash of lightning flew down from the heavens, turning him to ashes with "first-round accuracy".
Barbara is believed to be the representative of those about to die without the sacraments. She is the patron saint of groups; including fireworks makers, artillerymen, architects, founders, stonemasons, gravediggers, armorers, gunsmiths, miners, fortifications, and magazines. She protects those in danger from thunderstorms, fire and sudden death.
St. Barbara became the patroness of the artillerymen because many early artillery pieces blew up rather than firing their projectile.
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Alex
When Santa Bárbara was de-canonized, my family was upset, but I don't believe anyone thought any less of her anyway.
From the Okinawa Marines webpage (inpart)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The legend of St. Barbara's Day
According to an early seventh century legend, there was once a wealthy pagan named Dioscorus. Dioscorus had a very beautiful daughter, Barbara, whom he nearly kept prisoner in a guarded tower.
Dioscorus hired workers to construct a beautiful bathhouse and approved their design before he began a long trip. While he was gone, Barbara had the workmen add a third window to the design as a sign of the Holy Trinity. When Dioscorus came back from his journey he asked his daughter about the change and she confessed her conversion to Christianity. This sent Dioscorus into a rage.
Barbara was taken to the provincial prefect where she was tortured in the hopes that she would take back her confession. When she kept her faith, she was sentenced to death. Upon her sentencing, Dioscorus stepped forward to personally behead his daughter. As the legend holds, when Dioscorus lifted his sword a flash of lightning flew down from the heavens, turning him to ashes with "first-round accuracy".
Barbara is believed to be the representative of those about to die without the sacraments. She is the patron saint of groups; including fireworks makers, artillerymen, architects, founders, stonemasons, gravediggers, armorers, gunsmiths, miners, fortifications, and magazines. She protects those in danger from thunderstorms, fire and sudden death.
St. Barbara became the patroness of the artillerymen because many early artillery pieces blew up rather than firing their projectile.
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Alex
- Status
