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Patron
Saints
1.
Saint
Jude Thaddaeus - Patron Saint of Lost Causes.
He is not Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, but legend
has it that it is because of the similarity of their names
that Jude has been linked to lost causes. People will only
pray to him if they are desperate for fear of it appearing
they are praying to Judas.
2.
Saint
Erasmus (Elmo) - Patron Saint of Abdominal Pains
Erasmus is patron saint of abdominal pains as one time
he had hot iron hooks stuck into his intestines by
persecutors under Emperor Diocletian. He is also linked to
'Saint Elmo's Fire' - apparently when a blue light appears
at mastheads before and after a storm, the seamen took it as
a sign of Erasmus's protection and called it 'Saint Elmo's
Fire'.
3.
Saint Dismas - Patron Saint of Undertakers
All that is known of Dismas is that he is the Good Thief
crucified with Jesus on Calvary. (Not quite sure what a good
thief is though).
4.
Saint Fiacre - Patron Saint of Veneral Disease
Born
in Ireland Saint Fiacre moved to France and healed people
(how many were suffering from Veneral diseases we will never
know).The fame of Saint Fiacre's miracles of healing
continued after his death and crowds visited his shrine for
centuries. Greedily he is also a patron saint of gardeners
and of cab-drivers of Paris.
5.
Saint
Matthew - Patron Saint of Tax Collectors/Bankers
Who'd have thought they'd have a Saint? Author of the
first Gospel, one of the 12 apostles but was previously a
tax collector. I guess there is such a thing as a reformed
character.
6.
Saint
Agatha - Patron Saint of Volcanic Eruptions
Because she was asked for help during the eruption of
Mount Etna she is also considered a protector against the
outbreak of fire. For an unknown reason she is considered
the patroness of bellmakers - though some speculate it may
have something to do with the fact that bells were used as
fire alarms. Legend has it she ran a very bizarre life -
being imprisoned in a a brothel and a prison before being
tortured, including having one of her breasts cut
off.
7.
Saint
Ambrose - Patron Saint of Bee Keepers
I
have no idea what is with the Bees. He lived a perfect life
until he was nominated for the role of Bishop which he
didn't want - he hadn't even been Christened. He ended up
giving away his property and being a successful Bishop in a
time of great danger for Bishops.
8.
Saint Thomas - Patron Saint of Quantity
surveyors/Architects
A Jew, Saint Thomas is most famous for being 'Doubting
Thomas' following the Resurrection. After the Resurrection
Thomas went to convert the people, traveling as far as India
before being killed by a spear.
9.Saint
Gabriel- Patron Saint of Diplomatic
Services
Delivering
the news to a virgin that they are pregnant, or to their
fiancee that honestly she was faithful, it's the son
of God, you'd have to know something about
diplomacy.
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