And They Were Never Heard of Again
There are thousands of Catholic saints overlooking various groups of people and things. It's nearly impossible to know all the names of the saints. While many people have heard of Saint Valentine or Saint Francis of Assisi, there are thousands more they've never heard of. Here are 10 saints you may not be familiar with but might find useful in guiding prayers for your everyday life.
Saint Vitus: Patron Saint of Oversleeping
Saint Vitus was tortured and eventually killed for his beliefs. He was known for being an early riser, and in many artworks depicting Saint Vitus, he's holding a rooster. It's also believed that a rooster was thrown into the vat of hot oil that he was boiled alive in, which is why he was named the Patron Saint of Oversleeping.
Saint Roch: Patron Saint of Bachelors
Saint Roch cared for plague victims during his life and was said to have performed miracles on sufferers. He fell ill with the plague himself and was nursed back to health with the help of a dog. In artwork depicting Saint Roch, he often has a dog by his side. He's the Patron Saint of Dogs, but he's also the Patron Saint of Bachelors — perhaps because he was a bachelor himself.
Saint Joseph of Cupertino: Patron Saint of Astronauts
In the year 1630, Joseph of Cupertino was assisting with the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. Suddenly, he flew into the air and remained hovering in the sky above the crowd. It's because of this legend that he was named the Patron Saint of Astronauts — air travelers and aviators, too.
Saint Margaret of Antioch: Patron Saint of Childbirth
Saint Margaret of Antioch went through several trials in her lifetime. The most commonly told legend involves a dragon swallowing the saint whole. Because of the cross she was wearing at the time, the dragon spit her back out again unharmed, thus she escaped the belly of the beast. It's because of this analogy that women invoke her name when praying for their babies to be born safely.
Saint John Bosco: Patron Saint of Magicians
Saint John Bosco developed an interest in magic tricks at a very young age. He even coaxed magicians to teach him some tricks, which he performed to the poor children free of charge. When he later became a priest, he used these magic tricks to hold the children's interest and keep them coming back to church. Because of his work with poor and wayward children, he's also the saint looking over school children and juvenile delinquents.
Saint Ambrose: Patron Saint of Beekeepers
Christian paintings and artwork often depict Saint Ambrose with bees or a beehive. His legend is that when he was an infant, a swarm of bees settled in his mouth. This served as a sign that he would be a great speaker. His preaching was so smooth, he was named the "Honey-Tongued Doctor." He's also protector of beekeepers, bees and candle makers.
Saint Bibiana: Patron Saint of Hangovers
Saint Bibiana endured many torments and died a martyr's death when she was forced to drink molten lead. After she was buried, many magical and mysterious herbs grew above her grave. These herbs cured many ailments and worked miracles. Additionally, the dust scraped from the columns of her grave during the Middle Ages also had the same hangover-healing qualities.
Saint Lidwina: Patron Saint of Ice Skaters
When Saint Lidwina was just a 15-year-old girl in the Netherlands, she fell on the ice while skating with friends. As a result of the accident, she broke several bones and became partially paralyzed. During her time in bed, she prayed, developed a close relationship with God and was granted the gift of mystical visions. Even though she was confined to bed, she was a holy woman and a healer. As a saint, she watches over ice skaters.
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles: Patron Saint of Cats
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles was the original cat lady and her artwork almost always features her with a cat. Stories say that Gertrude and other nuns kept cats to control the mice and rats. Alternatively, some legends say that Gertrude prayed for mice to go away and they listened. Either way, she is forever linked to felines.
Saint Augustine of Hippo: Patron Saint of Brewers
Saint Augustine of Hippo is another saint who led a life of loose morals in his early years. He was known for partying, worldly entertainment and a love for beer. He turned his life around and became a holy man worthy of sainthood. His redemption has served as an inspiration for many others working to overcome a vice or bad habit.
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Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/10-patron-saints-you%27ve-probably-never-heard-of?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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