On November 1st, 731, Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in Rome to honour all the early Christian saints. From that time on, November 1st has been designated in the church as All Saints Day.
While All Saints Day is not always celebrated in the United Church, for millions of Christians, particularly in the Catholic tradition, All Saints Day is important because the Saints are important. They model for us what it means to live a life of faith, charity and justice.
Every single day of the year is dedicated to at least one Saint. Many believe that we can channel the Saints to help us in our lives, especially if we know their designation or expertise. For example, if we lose something we can say a prayer to Saint Anthony, the Patron Saint of “lost things”. Or, if we want a little divine protection on our next journey, we can call upon Saint Christopher, the Patron Saint of travellers.
You may know Anthony and Christopher, or maybe you know some National Saints like Patrick and Andrew, but here are a few lesser-known Saints that I bet you have never heard of:
- Saint Julian (feast day, January 9th). Saint Julian, who lived in the 200s CE, is the only known murderer to have made the list of canonized Saints. Upon finding his wife in bed with another man, Julian killed the man in a fit of jealous rage. To make amends for his actions, Julian dedicated his life to caring for others. He and his wife founded a series of hostels that would care for sick or weary travellers. Saint Julian is recognized as the Patron Saint of both murders and those in the hospitality industry.
- Saint Ludwina (feast day, April 14th). In 1395, At the age of 15, Ludwina went skating on a canal in Holland. She slipped on the ice, hitting her head. The resulting paralysis sent her into a deep depression. A priest visited her in those dark days and convinced her to devote her life to Jesus. She did and spent the rest of her life as a healer of other women. Restricted to a bed, it was said that she would go days without eating or sleeping. After becoming entombed in her failing body, she died at the age of 53. Many modern-day scholars believe she suffered from multiple sclerosis. She is the Patron Saint of those with chronic illness. She is also the Patron Saint of ice skaters.
- Saint Denis (feast day, October 9th). In the 3rd century, Saint Denis committed his life to convert non-believers to Christianity. Many people were just fine with their spiritual traditions and didn’t want to be converted. One aggrieved group decided to fight back. Taking Denis to the town square, they chopped off his head. It was said that Saint Denis walked for three miles carrying his head in his hands. All the while his severed head preached a sermon. Saint Denis is the Patron Saint of….headaches!
- Saint Wilgefortis (feast day, July 20th). As a young woman living in Portugal in the 14th century, Wilgefortis’s father arranged for her to be married to a Moorish king. Deciding that she did not want to marry this much older man, she escaped from her father’s home, took a vow of chastity, and prayed to God that he would make her unattractive to men. It was said that she grew a full beard on the spot. She went on to devote her life to helping others. She is considered as the Patron Saint of women looking to escape from abusive relationships.
- Saint Apollonia (feast day, February 9th). Poor Apollonia. A young woman, living in Alexandria in 249 CE, she found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. A Christian who had devoted her life to helping others, she was swept up by an angry mob who were not fond of those who identified with this new religion. Apollonia was dragged through the streets before being burned to death. As she was being tied to the stake, her accusers tortured her by slowly removing each of her teeth. Apollonia is the Patron Saint of Dentists, and she is also believed to be the inspiration behind the Tooth Fairy.
Everyone has a story!! Happy All Saints Day and thanks to all those who have lived amazing lives of justice and compassion.
