While traveling through the Italian countryside one afternoon, Francis of Assisi ordered his companions to stop. Spotting a flock of birds in a nearby tree, Francis felt the urge to preach to them just as he preached to so many people. His companions stood in wonder as Francis began to deliver a sermon to a flock of birds and the birds gathered around and listened to every word Francis had to say.
This story illustrates two aspects of the personality of Saint Francis of Assisi. The first is his incredible zeal to preach the Gospel. According to Saint Francis, all of God’s creatures, not just humans, deserve to hear the Good News. The second aspect of the personality of Saint Francis of Assisi that is illustrated in this story is his community with nature. Francis exhibited a unique relationship with animals and plants and was able to converse with them as no one else could.
It is for this reason that many people purchase Saint Francis of Assisi medals and put them on their pet’s collar. Because Saint Francis of Assisi was such a lover of animals, it is believed that he will watch over your pets and keep them free from harm.
It is also common for people to place statues of Saint Francis of Assisi in their garden. Here, he can reason with pests and convince them not to destroy your crops. He can also spend his time preaching to your plants, inspiring in them a faith that drives them to grow up tall towards heaven. A reminder of pure devotion and a helping hand in your backyard garden, a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi is a must have among your tomato and basil plants.
The Real Santa Claus
The man who inspired the legend of Santa Claus was actually a historical figure named Saint Nicholas of Myrha. Saint Nicholas lived a very religious life and many miraculous stories are told about him. The most famous is the tale of three young women whose father couldn’t afford the dowry they needed to get married. So Nicholas bundled together some money into three stockings and dropped the stockings down their chimney so that the father could pay his three girls’ dowry.
In 1071, Muslim forces overtook the city of Myrha, where Saint Nicholas was buried. Acting fast, three sailors took the Saint’s remains to the city of Bari, located along the heel of Italy’s boot. There, Saint Nicholas of Myrha became known as San Nicola di Bari. The people of Bari celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of San Nicola’s remains every year with a three-day festival. He is the patron saint of that city and along with Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, he is the reason why so many Italians are named Nicholas.
Wine and Saints
In Southern Italy and Sicily, the weather usually gets unseasonably warm for a short time around the middle of November. Known as Saint Martin’s Summer, this is typically the last warm weather the Italians will see until spring. Saint Martin’s Summer takes its name from Saint Martin’s Day, which falls on 11 November.
Saint Martin’s Day is a highly anticipated feast day in Southern Italy and Sicily because it is the day when homemade wines are first bottled and drank. It is believed that on Saint Martin’s Day, grape juice completes its transformation into wine. Traditionally, Saint Martin’s Day is celebrated informally, with families having outdoor dinners or midday picnics. Even the most sophisticated Italians use Saint Martin’s Day as a day to enjoy the more rustic pleasures of life: a warm sun, some wine, friends, family and food.
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
24 September 2007
A Patron For The Environment
01 July 2007
Can Saint Joseph Really Sell A House?
Have you ever heard that burying a statue of Saint Joseph in your backyard will help you sell your house faster? This may sound like nothing more than a silly superstition, but more than 2 million Saint Joseph statues are sold every year for this exact purpose. In order to understand the popularity of this tradition, you must understand Saint Joseph.
As the husband of the Madonna and the foster father of Jesus, Saint Joseph is viewed as the patron saint of the home. He protects women and children and inspires husbands and fathers. This is why he comes to the aid of those who need to sell their home. But in order to gain his assistance you must do more than just bury a statue in your backyard.
The devotion to Saint Joseph, like the devotion to other saints, is based on the belief that he will plead to God on your behalf. Simply burying a statue of him in your backyard is not the way to gain his assistance. Neither is treating him like a novelty act. But if you bury a statue of Saint Joseph in your backyard and sincerely pray to him for his assistance, you may just find yourself sitting at a settlement table in no time.
The Unofficial Patron of The Abruzzi
Saint Gabrielle may be the official patron saint of the Abruzzi, but most who come from that central Italian region turn to Saint Donato in times of need. A bishop from the 3rd century, Saint Donato once cured a man of epilepsy with the touch of his hand. His healing powers were well known and to this day many Abruzzese carry a unique medal that depicts Saint Donato standing on a crescent moon. The crescent moon symbolizes the ancient horns that people used to ward off the Evil Eye. Saint Donato stands on it because he is stronger than any ancient amulet. He is the only protection you need from the Evil Eye.
The Patron Saint of Breast Cancer
In one of the more violent stories of Christianity’s early days, we find Saint Agatha, a Sicilian martyr from the third century. Agatha was a beautiful noble woman who was also a devout Christian. Rather than publicly punish her for being a Christian, the local magistrate decided to seek a trade from Agatha. He offered her immunity for her beliefs is she would submit to his desires. She would not. So she was thrown into a brothel, where she wouldn’t take customers and instead converted the patrons to Christianity.
The magistrate had Agatha thrown into a jail cell but not before drawing his sword and cutting off her breasts in a fit of rage. Agatha remained calm while enduring her torture in silence. That night a man who fit the description of Saint Peter visited Agatha in jail. The two spoke and Agatha cried but no guard dared intervene. The following morning, Agatha’s breasts had healed.
Today Saint Agatha is believed to help women who suffer from breast cancer. Many stories are told of women who experience a miraculous recovery on the eve of a mastectomy. Saint Agatha had gone through that pain and tries to prevent anyone else from having to experience it.
As the husband of the Madonna and the foster father of Jesus, Saint Joseph is viewed as the patron saint of the home. He protects women and children and inspires husbands and fathers. This is why he comes to the aid of those who need to sell their home. But in order to gain his assistance you must do more than just bury a statue in your backyard.
The devotion to Saint Joseph, like the devotion to other saints, is based on the belief that he will plead to God on your behalf. Simply burying a statue of him in your backyard is not the way to gain his assistance. Neither is treating him like a novelty act. But if you bury a statue of Saint Joseph in your backyard and sincerely pray to him for his assistance, you may just find yourself sitting at a settlement table in no time.
The Unofficial Patron of The Abruzzi
Saint Gabrielle may be the official patron saint of the Abruzzi, but most who come from that central Italian region turn to Saint Donato in times of need. A bishop from the 3rd century, Saint Donato once cured a man of epilepsy with the touch of his hand. His healing powers were well known and to this day many Abruzzese carry a unique medal that depicts Saint Donato standing on a crescent moon. The crescent moon symbolizes the ancient horns that people used to ward off the Evil Eye. Saint Donato stands on it because he is stronger than any ancient amulet. He is the only protection you need from the Evil Eye.
The Patron Saint of Breast Cancer
In one of the more violent stories of Christianity’s early days, we find Saint Agatha, a Sicilian martyr from the third century. Agatha was a beautiful noble woman who was also a devout Christian. Rather than publicly punish her for being a Christian, the local magistrate decided to seek a trade from Agatha. He offered her immunity for her beliefs is she would submit to his desires. She would not. So she was thrown into a brothel, where she wouldn’t take customers and instead converted the patrons to Christianity.
The magistrate had Agatha thrown into a jail cell but not before drawing his sword and cutting off her breasts in a fit of rage. Agatha remained calm while enduring her torture in silence. That night a man who fit the description of Saint Peter visited Agatha in jail. The two spoke and Agatha cried but no guard dared intervene. The following morning, Agatha’s breasts had healed.
Today Saint Agatha is believed to help women who suffer from breast cancer. Many stories are told of women who experience a miraculous recovery on the eve of a mastectomy. Saint Agatha had gone through that pain and tries to prevent anyone else from having to experience it.
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