Figurines of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by an unknown artist, Chapel on the Michaelsberg, Untergrombach, Germany.
S.
Catherine of Alexandria, decapitatet 307, anniversary Novemner 25; against
sudden death and diseases of the tongue
S. Vitus, martyred 304, anniversary June 15; against epilepsy, chorea,
lightning, the bites of animals, and storms, and for protection of domestic
animals
S. Barbara, decapitated 306, anniversary December 4; against fever and sudden
death, against lightning and fire, and against sudden and violent death at work
S. Blaise, decapitated about 316, anniversary February 3; against illness of
the throat
S. Margareta, decapitated 305, anniversary July 20; Patron of women in
childbirth, invoked against backache
S. Cyriakus, decapitated 305, anniversary August 8; against temptation on the
death-bed, diseases of the eye, and demonic possession
S. Erasmus, martyred 303, anniversary June 2; against intestinal ailments,
stomach ailments, for domestic animals
S. Agathius, decapitated 303 / 304, anniversary May 8; against fear of death,
headache
S. Giles, died September 1, 720, anniversary September 1; against plague,
epilepsy, mental illness, and nightmares, for a good confession
S. Denis, decapitated after 250, anniversary October 9; against headache and
against demonic possession
S. Eustace, martyred 118, anniversary September 20; against family discord,
against fire (temporal and eternal)
S. George, martyred 305, anniversary April 23; against war threats, fever,
plague and other things, against temptation and for good weather, for the
health of domestic animals
S. Pantaleon, martyred and decapitated 305, anniversary July 27; against cancer
and tuberculosis, invoked for the protection of domestic animals
S. Christopher, decapitated about 205, anniversary July 24; Patron saint of
travelers, against epilepsy, storms, famine, thunderstorms and hailstorms,
plague, toothache, bad dreams
Statuetten der Vierzehn Nothelfer eines unbekannten
Künstlers, Kapelle auf dem Michaelsberg, Untergrombach, Deutschland
S.
Catharina, enthauptet 307, Gedenktag 25. November; Leiden der Zunge und
Sprachschwierigkeiten
S. Vitus, gemartert 304, Gedenktag 15. Juni; Helfer bei Krämpfen, Epilepsie,
Tollwut, Veitstanz (Chorea Huntington), Bettnässen und Schlangenbiss
S. Barbara, enthauptet 306, Gedenktag 4. Dezember; Helferin gegen Blitz- und
Feuersgefahr, Patronin der Sterbenden
S. Blasius, enthauptet um 316, Gedenktag 3. Februar; Helfer bei Halsleiden,
Geschwüren, Pest
S. Margareta, enthauptet 305, Gedenktag 20. Juli; Patronin der Gebärenden und
Helferin bei Rückenschmerzen
S. Cyriakus, enthauptet 305, Gedenktag 8. August; Helfer in der Todesstunde
gegen Anfechtungen, Augenkrankheiten
S. Erasmus, Gemartert 303, Gedenktag 2. Juni; Helfer bei Leibschmerzen,
Krämpfen, Koliken, Unterleibsbeschwerden und bei Magenkrankheiten, Krankheiten
der Haustiere
S. Achatius, enthauptet 303 / 304, Gedenktag 8. Mai; Helfer bei Todesangst,
Kopfschmerzen
S. Egidius, gestorben 01.09.720, Gedenktag 1. September; Helfer bei Pest,
Epilepsie, Geistekrankheit, bei der Beichte
S. Dionysius, enthauptet nach 250, Gedenktag 9. Oktober; Helfer bei
Kopfschmerzen, Tollwut, Gewissensnöten und Seelenleiden
S. Eustachius, gemartert 118, Gedenktag 20. Septtember; Helfer bei schwierigen
Lebenslagen und bei Trauerfällen, Feuer
S. Georg, gemartert 305, Gedenktag 23. April; Helfer bei Kriegsgefahren,
Fieber, Pest und anderem, gegen Versuchung und für gutes Wetter, und insgesamt
Beschützer der Haustiere
S. Pantaleon, gemartert und enthauptet 305, Gedenktag 27. Juli; Helfer bei
Krebs und Tuberkulose, Schutz von Haustierren
S. Christophorus, enthauptet um 250, Gedenktag 24. Juli; Schutzheiliger der
Reisenden, gegen Epilepsie, Unwetter, Hungersnot, Gewitter und Hagelstürme,
Pest, Zahnschmerzen, schlechte Träume
Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531),
Basilika San Pietro: Christus am Ölberg, der hl. Petrus und die 14 Nothelfer (German),
spruce wood; primer: white chalk, 258.1 x 115.4,
Staatsgalerie
Altdeutsche Meister
Les
Quatorze Secourables, ces saints toujours prêts à vous aider
Anne Bernet - publié
le 22/04/22
Saint Georges, fêté le 23
avril, fait partie de la compagnie des Quatorze Secourables, ces "Saints
Auxiliaires" encore appelés saints auxiliateurs que la piété populaire a
sélectionné comme des intercesseurs particulièrement efficaces pour vous tirer
des mauvais pas de l’existence.
Imaginez un temps où la
médecine est balbutiante, désarmée face aux maladies graves et le médecin,
d’ailleurs, trop cher pour la plupart des gens. Imaginez un temps où la moitié
des femmes meurent en donnant la vie. Imaginez un temps où l’on voyage
beaucoup, tout autant que nous peut-être, mais où les routes sont dangereuses,
les périls innombrables, et où s’en aller de chez soi, pour affaires, raisons
familiales ou par dévotion poussant à faire un pèlerinage, c’est prendre le risque
de ne jamais revenir ni revoir le siens. Imaginez un temps où, faute d’eau
courante et de pompiers, un incendie peut ravager en un instant tout un
quartier, voire toute une ville. Imaginez un temps où la mort est omniprésente,
réalité quotidienne qui frappe où elle veut, quand elle veut, jeunes et vieux.
Imaginez un temps où la foi est ardente et le pire malheur non de perdre la vie
mais de se damner…
Le
secours des saints
Ce temps n’est pas si
lointain. Trois cents ans environ. Alors, face aux dangers, aux périls, aux
maladies, aux malheurs et difficultés de toutes sortes, nos ancêtres se
tournent vers les seuls à même de les aider efficacement : les saints. Même si
leurs images ornent les églises, ils sont présents à leurs fidèles, de manière
presque tangible, toujours prêts à secourir ceux qui les appellent à l’aide. Au
vrai, quasiment tous les hommes et toutes les femmes du martyrologe tiennent un
rôle de médecin, psychiatre, exorciste, vétérinaire, assureur tous risques,
avocat, marieur, réconciliateur, et d’autres fonctions encore, au profit de
leurs dévots. Leur notoriété, leurs compétences varient en fonction des
régions, des époques, des besoins. Les martyrs, dont les supplices atroces sont
racontés avec force détails terrifiants, soignent la partie du corps par
laquelle ils souffrirent : ainsi, Agathe est-elle invoquée pour les maladies
des seins et les nourrices qui manquent de lait, car le bourreau trancha les
siens ; Tryphon et son frère Respicius, dont on remplit les souliers de clous
et de morceaux de verre pilés, guérissent les blessures des pieds ; Laurent,
mis à rôtir, soigne les brûlures. La liste est très longue.
Gloires
locales et célébrités universelles
Et puis, il y a ceux que
leur nom même semble vouer à telle ou telle spécialité : Clair rend la vue, et
Cornély, le nom breton du pape Corneille, s’occupe, cela va de soi, des bêtes à
cornes, remplaçant en Bretagne le vieux dieu païen à tête de cerf Kernunos.
Parce que ceux qui s’adressent à eux ont une foi à soulever les montagnes, leurs
prières sont souvent exaucées et les recueils de miracles pieusement archivés
dans les grands sanctuaires ne sont pas, comme certains l’ont prétendu, un
ramassis de sottises à visées publicitaires destinées à attirer plus de
pèlerins, plus d’infirmes, plus de malades, donc plus d’argent mais souvent une
réalité. Chaque saint, chaque sainte a vocation à guérir, apaiser,
protéger.
Pourtant, peu à peu,
certaines figures, plus célèbres, mieux popularisées par leur légende, tendent
à supplanter les petits cultes locaux et obtiennent une notoriété universelle.
C’est que leur histoire est connue de tous. Tel est le cas des vierges Barbe,
Catherine d’Alexandrie, Marguerite d’Antioche ou des saints Blaise, Christophe,
Cyriaque d’Ancône, Eustache, Georges ou Guy, véritables héros de romans
historiques populaires.
Les
Quatorze super héros
Et puis, à côté de ces
super héros, l’on rencontre des gens moins célèbres, tel l’évêque Acace ou le
martyr Érasme. Peu à peu, des listes se forment et se répandent parmi le peuple
chrétien. Au tournant du XIVe et du XVe siècles, la piété populaire se fixe
ainsi sur quatorze noms mais, en réalité, comme les trois mousquetaires étaient
quatre, les Quatorze Saints Auxiliaires, au sens étymologique du mot signifiant
« ceux qui aident », parfois aussi appelés les Quatorze Secourables,
seront souvent quinze, voire davantage. Les voici, par ordre alphabétique :
L’évêque de Mélitène
Acace, patron des migraineux sans que l’on sache trop pourquoi car ce prélat,
dont nous possédons le procès-verbal de l’interrogatoire, en 250, échappe à la
mort, son sens de la répartie ayant amusé un magistrat romain peu féroce qui ne
lui inflige aucune torture et le libère.
Barbara, Barbe en vieux
français, vierge martyre au sujet de laquelle nous ne savons rien de sûr,
patronne des pompiers, artificiers et polytechniciens, dont la passion rapporte
qu’elle meurt sous les coups de son propre père, furieux de sa conversion,
crime aussitôt puni puisque ce géniteur dénaturé est frappé par la foudre. À ce
titre, elle protège des orages, incendies, explosions, et de
la mort subite, qu’aucun chrétien jadis n’aurait tenu pour enviable puisqu’elle
ne laisse pas le temps de se repentir.
Blaise, évêque de Sébaste
en Cappadoce, dépecé vif en 316, soigne les maux de gorge pour avoir un jour retiré
l’arête plantée dans le gosier d’un enfant en train de s’étouffer mais il est
aussi un protecteur des animaux sauvages qui cherchaient auprès de lui refuge
contre les chasseurs.
Probablement étudiante du
Didascalé d’Alexandrie, la première université catholique, Catherine a le
malheur d’attirer l’attention du César Galère, grand persécuteur mais aussi
obsédé sexuel qui se fait livrer les plus jolies chrétiennes et abuse d’elles.
Parce que, dans des circonstances indéterminées, elle sauve sa virginité, la
jeune fille est invoquée par celles qui veulent protéger leur pureté, mais elle
est aussi la patronne des étudiants, philosophes et théologiens pour avoir su,
telle Jeanne d’Arc dont elle sera plus tard la conseillère, désarmer la sagesse
trop humaine des universitaires alexandrins.
Christophe, passeur de
son état, est converti par l’évêque Babylas d’Antioche, et supplicié comme
chrétien en 251. Christophoros, celui qui porte le Christ, est un nom de
baptême mais il inspirera une histoire charmante, selon laquelle « le bon
géant » aurait un jour chargé sur ses épaules un tout petit enfant dont le
poids manque l’entraîner dans les flots. Rien d’étonnant à cela : l’enfant
Jésus porte tout le péché du monde. Sa profession lui vaut de protéger les voyageurs, jusqu’à nos jours puisque
Christophe est le patron des automobilistes. Lui aussi préserve de la mort subite,
sans confession, comme le rappelle la prière figurant sur ses images :
« Regarde saint Christophe et va-t-en rassuré ! »
Cyriaque, évêque
d’Ancône, pour avoir joui d’un don de double vue, s’est fait une
réputation en ophtalmologie.
Denis, premier évêque de
Paris, est un saint céphalophore, ce qui signifie qu’après sa
décapitation à Montmartre, il a ramassé sa tête tranchée et l’a portée jusqu’à
l’emplacement de la future basilique Saint-Denis. Ses capacités de soigner les
migraines sont donc évidentes. On ne sait trop pourquoi, en revanche, il
protège de la rage, un fléau oublié.
Érasme, que dans le Midi
l’on appelle Elme, évêque de Formies en Italie, est, lui,
gastro-entérologue. Normal : il est mort éventré et étripé…
Bien avant saint Hubert,
Eustache est le premier patron des chasseurs car c’est en allant courre le
cerf que lui aussi se serait converti. Sa passion affirme que ce haut officier
romain est mort brûlé à petit feu dans un taureau de fer lentement porté à
incandescence … La chose n’a rien d’impossible, hélas … Pour cette raison, il
est invoqué contre le feu, et surtout contre le feu éternel.
Patron des cavaliers et
de la chevalerie, Georges, que l’on a voulu chasser du calendrier dans les
années 1970, faute de sources historiques fiables, semble bien, cependant,
faire partie des très nombreux martyrs militaires du début du IVe siècle. On ne
sait s’il est mort à Lod en Israël ou à Beyrouth. Sa légende a fait de lui un
saint sauroctone, tueur de dragon, ce qui signifie simplement le triomphe du
Christ sur les idoles démoniaques. Il reste le patron de l’Angleterre, des
militaires mais on lui attribue aussi des compétences en dermatologie.
Gilles, ermite près d’une
ville du Gard qui a pris son nom, est un ami de la faune sauvage, lui aussi,
puisqu’il a reçu une flèche dans la main en voulant protéger une biche traquée
par des chasseurs. On ne sait pourquoi on l’invoque contre l’épilepsie, la
folie, la stérilité, la possession, maux longtemps tenus pour le résultat d’une
emprise infernale.
C’est également comme
psychiatre et exorciste que Guy, très jeune patricien sicilien martyrisé
vers 304 dans le Sud de l’Italie s’est taillé une réputation, au point de
donner son nom populaire à la chorée, trouble neurologique pris pour un
symptôme de possession ou de démence, vulgairement dite « danse de Saint
Guy » en raison des mouvements désordonnés qu’elle provoque chez les
malades.
Marguerite d’Antioche se
prénomme en réalité Marine mais sa réputation de beauté et de sagesse lui
a valu ce surnom de Margarita, la perle. Comme beaucoup de jeunes chrétiennes,
elle a voué sa virginité au Christ. Arrêtée pour avoir repoussé les assiduités
d’un prétendant, elle est très certainement morte martyre. Sa passion, tenue
pour romanesque, raconte que, dans sa prison, le diable est venu la tenter sous
l’apparence d’un serpent monstrueux et qu’il l’a même avalée, pour la recracher
aussitôt, écœuré par le signe de croix tracé par sa victime. Cette renaissance
symbolique lui vaut de protéger les femmes enceintes et de faciliter leur délivrance.
C’est probablement en
raison de sa profession de médecin que le martyr Pantaléon est prié contre
la tuberculose et la consomption, autrement dit la leucémie.
Et la Vierge Marie !
Voici donc la liste
« officielle » de nos Auxiliaires secourables auxquels les Français
ont systématiquement ajouté la Sainte Vierge. Mais un doute persiste… En effet,
le 17 septembre 1445, puis le 29 juillet 1446, l’enfant Jésus, entouré de
quatorze cierges brillants qui prendront, lors de sa seconde visite, l’aspect
de jeunes garçons et filles et se présenteront comme les saints auxiliaires,
apparaît en Allemagne à un berger nommé Hermann Leicht, réclamant un sanctuaire
en ces lieux. Cependant, aucun nom n’ayant été mis précisément sur ces lumineux
visiteurs, les fidèles ont eu tout loisir, selon leur humeur, de substituer
d’autres saints à ceux de la liste officielle. Parmi eux, la martyre Dorothée,
très vénérée dans le monde germanique, Léonard de Noblat, patron des
prisonniers, et Nicolas de Myrrhe pour n’en citer que quelques-uns.
Et peu importe car, ce
qui compte, c’est la foi mise en ces médecins célestes. Lors du premier
confinement, il s’est trouvé des hommes d’Église pour assener qu’il valait
mieux se fier à la science qu’à Dieu… Est-ce si certain ?
Découvrez en images les
saints auxiliateurs :
Lire aussi :Sébastien, le saint qui triomphe des pandémies
Lire aussi :Prière à saint Côme et saint Damien pour demander une guérison
Gemälde
der Vierzehn Nothelfer, im oberen Teil mit der einzigen erhaltenen Darstellung
der früheren Burg Dobl, Gemeinde Winzer, Niederbayern. Restauriert und
fotografiert von Alois Lieberwein.
Dargetellt sind von links nach rechts:
Painting
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, in the upper part with the only remaining
depiction of ruined castle of Dobl, town of Winzer, Lower Bavaria. Restaurated
and photographed by Alois Lieberwein.
Accueil » Les quatorze
saints de Hombourg-Haut
Les
Quatorze Saints Auxiliaires
La dévotion populaire aux
Quatorze Saints Auxiliaires1 a
pour origine un miracle qui s'est déroulé en Bavière en 1445. Dans un champ du
monastère cistercien de Lagheim, un berger trouva un enfant en pleurs qui
disparut lorsqu'on voulut le recueillir. Il réapparut ensuite, accompagné de
treize autres enfants, et déclara qu'ils étaient les quatorze intercesseurs et
qu'ils désiraient qu'une église leur fût construite à cet endroit. Et il
ajouta :
- Si vous nous
servez, nous vous servirons.
Et quelques jours plus
tard, en effet, on put constater une première guérison miraculeuse. Les moines
érigèrent alors à l’endroit des apparitions la basilique des Quatorze Saint
Auxiliaires2, qui est encore aujourd’hui un
important lieu de pèlerinage. Cette dévotion s’est rapidement répandue dans les
pays germaniques, mais aussi en Suisse, en Italie et en France. On en trouve
une image dans de nombreuses églises d’Alsace et de Lorraine.
Ces saints représentaient
un excellent support pour une dévotion populaire. D’une part, à l'exception de
Saint Gilles, ce sont tous des martyrs, et leurs vies sont émaillées
d'aventures terrifiantes autant qu'édifiantes ; miracles, conversions,
supplices cruels et élaborés fournissent les caractéristiques de leur
représentation et les raisons pour lesquelles on les invoque. Leurs pouvoirs,
en effet, couvraient presque tous les aspects de la vie courante et répondaient
à la plupart des besoins physiques et spirituels : troubles de la santé du
corps ou de l'esprit, mais aussi difficultés de la foi.
Les Saints Auxiliaires
sont d’ordinaire représentés et sollicités ensemble3.
Plusieurs d’entre eux, toutefois, sont particulièrement vénérés en Lorraine. St
Blaise a son propre pèlerinage à Metz, de même que St Guy, au dessus de
Phalsbourg. Sainte Barbe est la patronne de Metz, ville d'armée, et des mineurs
si nombreux dans le bassin minier. Et saint Christophe jouit en Lorraine, pays
de voyageurs et de bateliers, d'une dévotion si intime qu’on offre au baptême
une médaille à son image. La Vierge Marie se joint parfois à eux, ainsi que
d’autres saints protecteurs, comme St Sébastien, St Roch, St Ulrich, Ste
Apolline, St Lazare, ou encore, comme ici, St Antoine de Padoue.
1.Cette
dénomination vient du latin auxilium, asistance ; on trouve aussi
« Auxiliateur ».
2.Basilika
Vierzehnheiligen.
3.Ils sont
parfois associés par paire : St Guy et St Christophe, Ste Catherine et Ste
Barbe, St Pantaléon et St Acace, St Georges et St Eustache, St Érasme et St
Blaise, St Gilles et St Cyriaque, St Denis et Ste Marguerite.
SOURCE : https://archeographe.net/node/718
Christus
als Weltenrichter mit Maria, Johannes dem Täufer und den vierzehn Nothelfern im
Schrein des Hochaltars (Nothelferaltar) der Stadtpfarrkirche Freistadt,
Oberösterreich. Unbekannter Meister der Donauschule (Lienhard
Krapfenbacher?), um 1520.
Christ
in Majesty with Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist, and the fourteen Holy
Helpers in the shrine of the high altar (Altar of the Holy Helpers) at the
parish church Freistadt, Upper Austria. Anonymous master of the Danube
School (Lienhard Krapfenbacher?), around 1520.
FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS
A group of 14 saints
traditionally venerated together, especially in Germany (feast, August 8). They
are three bishops, denis of paris (feast, October 9; invoked against headache
and rabies), Erasmus, called elmo (June 2; invoked against colic and cramp),
and blaise (February 3; invoked against throat troubles); three virgins,
barbara (December 4; invoked against lightning, fire, explosion, and sudden and
unprepared death), margaret (July 20; invoked against possession and by
pregnant women), and catherine of alexandria (November 25; invoked by
philosophers, students, wheelers, etc.); three knightly patrons, george (April
23; protector of soldiers), Achatius (June 22), and Eustace (September 20;
invoked by hunters); the physician Pantaleon (July 27; invoked against tuberculosis);
the monk giles (September 1; invoked against epilepsy, insanity, and
sterility); the deacon Cyriac (August 8; invoked against demoniac possession);
the martyr Vitus (June 15; invoked against epilepsy and "Vitus
dance"); and the giant christopher (July 25; invoked by travelers in
difficulties). Latin terms for these helper saints were manifold: auxiliatores,
auxiliantes, intercessores, adiutores, coadiutores, adiuvantes or
simply quatuordecim sancti. Calling a saint a Nothelfer, a
"Helper in Need," was current German usage from the late 12th
century. Judging from earlier medieval art it would seem that Leonard of Noblat
originally had the place of Cyriac. In fact, in southern Germany, including
Nuremberg, it is Leonard, not Cyriac, who appears most often until c. 1520.
Down to the 16th century certain localities made special substitutions; thus
SS. Nicholas, Sixtus, Wolfgang, Sebastian, or Oswald might be counted a Helper.
The Diocese of Augsburg, probably under the influence of the monastery of Sankt
magnus of fÜssen, added a 15th name, St. Magnus.
The cult was advanced
first by the Dominicans, later by the Cistercians and the Benedictines. The
nobility, the urban aristocracy, and the bourgeoisie were equally
favorable to the cult, and powerful religious movements and the plague years of
the 14th century may have been responsible for its promotion. Its attraction
lay in the power of the group as a whole, although individual saints were later
assigned a special patronage; churches and altars dedicated to one of the 14
included the remainder of the group as subsidiaries.
The earliest pictorial
witness of the cult is a fresco in the Dominican church of St. Blaise in
Regensburg (c. 1320). In Nuremberg the cult developed and spread
extensively in the 14th and 15th centuries; it was especially fostered there by
the Dominican sisters of St. Catherine's. Having been diffused throughout
southern Germany and the German-speaking Alps, the cult was carried into
central Germany from Bamberg. Elsewhere only sporadic traces of it can be
found. Veneration reached its high point in the mid-15th century with the
Vierzehnheiligen pilgrimage on the Upper Main River in the Diocese of Bamberg.
The feast of the Holy Helpers was given its own Office and Mass, probably the
result of the pilgrimage. Soon confraternities began to develop. The origins
of Vierzehnheiligen are outlined in a work printed in 1519; it
reports that the son of a shepherd of the Cistercian monastery of Langheim,
while watching sheep in a district originally called Frankenthal, had a
vision c. 1445 of a group of 14 children with the Child Jesus in
their midst; the Child told the shepherd that these were the 14 Holy Helpers,
who from this spot wished henceforth to dispense their favors. (Thirty-three
years prior to this book appearance, a Holy Helper altar in Langenberg, near
Gera, Thuringia, had already pictorially portrayed the miracle.) Immediately a
chapel was built on the site of the alleged apparition, and its altar was
dedicated in 1448. Destroyed in 1525 during the peasants' War, the shrine was
rebuilt on a larger scale and dedicated in 1543. The cornerstone of the present
basilica was laid in 1743 and the new baroque edifice, one of the most
important of 18th-century German churches (by Balthasar Neumann), was dedicated
in 1772. Pilgrimage processions, organized by parishes and confraternities, are
still frequent and Vierzehnheiligen remains one of the most important pilgrim
shrines of the Dioceses of Bamberg and Würzburg.
The earliest iconography
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers displays them in a single row, headed by St.
Christopher. Often they are grouped around the figures of the Madonna and Child
or around the figure of St. Christopher carrying the Holy Child in his arms.
Not infrequently they are grouped around the Man of Sorrows. Baroque art
preferred to use a Root of Jesse motif, with the saints among the branches. At
the Vierzehnheiligen shrine and in numerous wayside shrines that stand along
Franconia's pilgrimage routes to Vierzehnheiligen, the Holy Helpers are
depicted in a circle surrounding the Child; often it is a circle of 14 children
as in the original apparition. Artistic monuments to the Helpers include late
Gothic paintings, such as those by Hans Burgkmair, Lucas
Cranach, and Matthias grÜnewald.
Feast: Aug. 8.
Bibliography: Literature. H. Weber, Die Verehrung der heiligen vierzehn Nothelfer (Kempten
1886). H. Günter, Legenden-Studien (Cologne 1906). J. Klapper,
"Die vierzehn Nothelfer im deutschen Osten," Volk und Volkstum 3
(1938) 158–192. J. Dünninger, "Die Wallfahrtslegende von
Vierzehnheiligen," in Festschrift für Wolfgang Stammler (Berlin
1953) 192–205. G. Schreiber, "Die vierzehn Nothelfer in Volksfrömmigkeit
und Sakralkultur," (Schlern-Schriften 168; Innsbruck 1959) 261–310.
[J. Dünninger]
Die
vierzehn Nothelfer, circa 1470, 107 x 144, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Belvedere, Vienna
Do you know who the Fourteen Holy Helpers are?
Philip
Kosloski - published on 07/27/17
They were a type of
spiritual "Avengers" or "Justice League" known for their
miraculous intercession.
In the midst of the 14th
century the Black Plague ravaged the cities and countrysides of Europe and
Christians were constantly begging God to spare them from the deadly disease.
To help amplify their
prayers Christians in Germany turned to a group of saints who were known for
their miraculous intervention. They invoked these saints collectively as a
group, which eventually became known as the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
Each of the Holy Helpers
was chosen specifically for the patronage they had and were added to the list
to create a type of “Avengers” or “Justice League” of spiritual power. The
saints all have separate feast days, but in some local places the Fourteen Holy
Helpers were celebrated on a single day, August 8.
A litany was
later developed that assembles the Holy Helpers together, calling them forth to
action. It also gives a brief summary of who each saint is and the spiritual
benefit that is requested from them. Here are two selections from the litany
that highlight these saints.
[Response: pray for
us]Fourteen Holy Helpers, Saint George, valiant Martyr of Christ, Saint Blase,
zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor, Saint Erasmus, mighty protector of
the oppressed, Saint Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity, Saint Vitus,
special protector of chastity, Saint Christophorus, mighty intercessor in
dangers, Saint Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence, Saint
Cyriacus, terror of Hell, Saint Achatius, helpful advocate in death, Saint
Eustachius, exemplar of patience in adversity, Saint Giles, despiser of the
world, Saint Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith, Saint Catherine,
victorious defender of the Faith and of purity, Saint Barbara, mighty patroness
of the dying … [Response: We beseech Thee, hear us]That Thou come to our aid
through the intercession of the Holy Helpers, That through the intercession of
Saint George Thou preserve us in the Faith, That through the intercession of
Saint Blase Thou confirm us in hope, That through the intercession of Saint Erasmus
Thou enkindle in us Thy holy love, That through the intercession of Saint
Pantaleon Thou give us charity for our neighbor, That through the intercession
of Saint Vitus Thou teach us the value of our soul, That through the
intercession of Saint Christophorus Thou preserve us from sin, That through the
intercession of Saint Dionysius Thou give us tranquility of conscience, That
through the intercession of Saint Cyriacus Thou grant us resignation to Thy
holy will, That through the intercession of Saint Eustachius Thou give us
patience in adversity, That through the intercession of Saint Achatius Thou
grant us a happy death, That through the intercession of Saint Giles Thou grant
us a merciful judgment, That through the intercession of Saint Margaret Thou
preserve us from Hell, That through the intercession of Saint Catherine Thou
shorten our Purgatory, That through the intercession of Saint Barbara Thou
receive us in Heaven, That through the intercession of all the Holy Helpers
Thou wilt grant our prayers …
Devotion to this
particular group of saints spread rapidly throughout Europe and many shrines
and churches were dedicated to their honor. To this day the Fourteen Holy
Helpers are still highly regarded for their intercession and seen as a powerful
group to invoke in times of greatest need.
SOURCE : https://aleteia.org/2017/07/27/do-you-know-who-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-are/
Heiliger
Achatius am Flügelaltar der Pfarrkirche St. Anna in Pöggstall,
Niederösterreich. Unbekannter Meister, um 1500.
Saint
Acacius at the winged altar of St. Anna parish church Pöggstall, Lower
Austria. Anonymous master, around 1500.
Legends
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint Achatius, Martyr
Legend
Of the saints named
Achatius, that one is reckoned among the Holy Helpers who, as a Roman soldier,
died for Christ.
Achatius was a native of
Cappadocia and as a youth joined the Roman army during the reign of Emperor
Hadrian, attaining the rank of captain. One day, when leading his company
against the enemy, he heard a voice saying to him, “Call on the God of
Christians!” He obeyed, was instructed, and received Baptism. Filled with zeal,
he henceforth sought to convert also the pagan soldiers of the army. When the
emperor heard of this, Achatius was thrown into prison, then placed on the
rack, bound to a post and scourged, because he refused to offer sacrifice to
the idols. When all these tortures availed nothing, he was brought before the
tribune Bibianus.
Asked by him what was his
name and country, Achatius replied, “My name is Christian, because I am a
follower of Christ; men call me Achatius. My country is Cappadocia. There my
parents lived; there I was converted to the Christian faith, and was so
inspired by the combats and sufferings of the Christian martyrs that I am resolved
to shed my blood for Christ to attain heaven.” Then Bibianus ordered him to be
beaten with leaden clubs, after which he was loaded with chains and returned to
the prison.
After Achatius had been
in prison seven days, Bibianus was called to Byzantium, and ordered all
prisoners to be transported there. On the journey Achatius suffered greatly,
for his entire body was covered with wounds, his chains were galling, the
guards were cruel and the roads were bad. He thought himself dying. Praying to
God, a voice from the clouds answered him, “Achatius, be firm!” The soldiers of
the guard were terrified and asked each other, “What is this? How can the
clouds have a voice?” Many prisoners were converted. Next day some of the
converts saw a number of men in shining armor speaking to Achatius, washing his
wounds and healing them, so that not even a scar remained.
Arrived in Byzantium the
saint was again cast into prison, and after seven days dragged before the
judge. When neither promises nor the most cruel torments shook the constancy of
the brave confessor of the Faith, the judge sent him to Flaccius, the proconsul
of Thracia, who imprisoned him for five days, and meanwhile read the records of
his former trials. Then he ordered him to be beheaded. Achatius suffered death
for Christ on May 8, 311.
Lesson
Achatius manfully and
without fear confessed the Faith amid persecutions and sufferings. We, too, are
often placed in circumstances where the profession of our Faith and the
practice of the virtues inculcated by it cause us trials. But so deplorable are
the effects of sensuality, avarice, and ambition, and such is the laxity and
spiritual callousness of many Christians, that there is real cause for every
one to be filled with alarm for the safety of his soul. It is not the crowd we
are to follow, but the precepts of the Gospel. Therefore we ought to strive to
give a good example by our faithful compliance with the demands of religion.
For Our Lord Himself exhorts us: “So let your light shine before men, that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew
5:16).
Prayer of the Church
O God, who dost give us
joy through the remembrance of Thy blessed martyrs, Achatius and his
companions; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be inflamed by the example of
those for whose merits we rejoice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-achatius-martyr/
Joan
Gascó (1480–1529). Santa Barbara, 1516, 128,5 x 73, musée épiscopal de Vic. Provenance : Chapel
of Santa Maria de la Pietat de Vic
Legends
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint Barbara, Virgin and Martyr
Legend
Nicomedia, a city in Asia
Minor, was Saint Barbara’s birthplace. Her father Dioscurus was a pagan.
Fearing that his only child might learn to know and love the doctrines of
Christianity, he shut her up in a tower, apart from all intercourse with
others. Nevertheless Barbara became a Christian. She passed her time in study,
and from her lonely tower she used to watch the heavens in their wondrous
beauty. She soon became convinced that the “heavens were telling the glory of
God,” a God greater than the idols she had been taught to worship. Her desire
to know that God was in itself a prayer which He answered in His own wise way.
The fame of Origen, that
famous Christian teacher in Alexandria, reached even the remote tower, and
Barbara sent a trusty servant with the request that he would make known to her
the truth. Origen sent her one of his disciples, disguised as a physician, who
instructed and baptized her. She practised her new religion discreetly while
waiting for a favorable opportunity of acquainting her father with her
conversion.
This opportunity came in
a short time. Some workmen were sent by Dioscurus to make another room in the
tower, and when they had made two windows she directed them to make a third.
When her father saw this additional window, he asked the reason for it. She
replied, “Know, my father, that the soul receives light through three windows,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and the three are one.” The father
became so angry at this discovery of her having become a Christian, that he
would have killed his daughter with his sword, had she not fled to the top of
the tower. He followed her, and finally had her in his power. First he wreaked
his vengeance on her in blows, then clutching her by the hair he dragged her
away and thrust her into a hut to prevent her escape. Next he tried every means
to induce her to renounce her faith; threats, severe punishments, and
starvation had no effect on the constancy of the Christian maiden.
Finding himself powerless
to shake his daughter’s constancy, Dioscurus delivered her to the proconsul
Marcian, who had her scourged and tortured, but without causing her to deny the
Faith. During her sufferings, her father stood by, exulting in the torments of
his child. Next night, after she had been taken back to prison, Our Lord
appeared to her and healed her wounds. When Barbara appeared again before him,
Marcian was greatly astonished to find no trace of the cruelties that had been
perpetrated on her body. Again she resisted his importunities to deny the
Faith, and when he saw that all his efforts were in vain, he pronounced the
sentence of death. Barbara was to be beheaded. Her unnatural father claimed the
privilege to execute it with his own hands, and with one blow severed his
daughter’s head from her body, on December 4, 237.
At the moment of the
saint’s death a great tempest arose and Dioscurus was killed by lightning.
Marcian, too, was overtaken by the same fate.
Lesson
Since early times Saint
Barbara is invoked as the patroness against lightning and explosions, and is
called upon by those who desire the sacraments of the dying in their last
illness, and many are the instances of the efficacy of her intercession.
We all wish for a happy
and blessed death. To attain it, we must make the preparation for it the great
object of our life; we must learn to die to the world and to ourselves, and
strive after perfection in virtue. There is no greater comfort in adversity, no
more powerful incentive to withdrawing our affections from this world, than to
remember the blessing of a happy death. Well prepared, death may strike us in
any form whatsoever, and however suddenly, it will find us ready.
We can be guilty of no
greater folly than to delay our preparation for death, repentance, the
reception of the sacraments, and the amendment of our life, from day to day,
from the time of health to the time of illness, and in illness to the very last
moments, thinking that even then we can obtain pardon. Saint Augustine
observes: “It is very dangerous to postpone the performance of a duty on which
our whole eternity depends to the most inconvenient time, the last hour.” And
Saint Bernard remarks: “In Holy Scripture we find one single instance of one
who received pardon at the last moment. He was the thief crucified with Jesus.
He is alone, that you despair not; he is alone, also, that you sin not by
presumption on God’s mercy.” If you, therefore, wish for a happy death, prepare
for it in time.
Prayer of the Church
O God, who among the
wonders of Thy might didst grant the victory of martyrdom also to the weaker
sex, graciously grant us that we, by recalling the memory of Thy blessed virgin
and martyr Barbara, through her example may be led to Thee. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-barbara-virgin-and-martyr/
Bicci di Lorenzo, San Biagio, 1445 ca. European
paintings in the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Legends
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint Blase, Bishop and Martyr
Legend
Saint Blase was born at
Sebaste, Armenia. He became a physician, but at the same time devoted himself
zealously to the practice of his Christian duties. His virtuous conduct gained
for him the esteem of the Christian clergy and people to such a degree, that he
was elected bishop of his native city. Henceforth he devoted himself to ward
off the dangers of soul from the faithful, as he had hitherto been intent on
healing their bodily ills. To all, he was a shining example of virtue.
During the reign of
Emperor Licinius a cruel persecution of Christians broke out. The persecutors
directed their fury principally against the bishops, well knowing that when the
shepherd is stricken the flock is dispersed. Listening to the entreaties of the
faithful, and mindful of the words of Our Lord, “When they shall persecute you
in this city, flee into another” (Matthew 10:23), Saint Blase hid himself in a
cave. But one day the prefect Agricola instituted a chase, and his party
discovered the holy bishop and brought him before their master.
St. Blase remained steadfast
in the Faith, and by its able confession and defense attracted the attention of
the attendants at his trial. The cruel tyrant had him bound and tortured with
iron combs. After suffering these torments with great patience and meekness,
the saint was cast into prison. He was kept there a long time, because the
prefect hoped to exhaust his powers of endurance, and to bring him to sacrifice
to the idols. His jailer permitted the holy bishop to receive visitors in his
prison, and many sick and suffering availed themselves of this privilege. He
cured some of them and gave good advice to others.
One day a mother brought
to him her boy, who, while eating, had swallowed a fishbone, which remained in
his throat, and, causing great pain, threatened suffocation. Saint Blase prayed
and made the sign of the cross over the boy, and behold, he was cured. For this
reason the saint is invoked in throat troubles.
At length the holy bishop
was again brought before the judge and commanded to sacrifice to the idols. But
he said: “Thou art blind, because thou art not illuminated by the true light.
How can a man sacrifice to idols, when he adores the true God alone? I do not
fear thy threats. Do with me according to thy pleasure. My body is in thy
power, but God alone has power over my soul. Thou seekest salvation with the
idols; I hope and trust to receive it from the only true and living God whom I
adore.”
Then the prefect
sentenced him to death. Saint Blase was beheaded, suffering death for the Faith
February 3, 316.
Lesson
Saint Blase gave us a
glorious example of fortitude in the confession of the Faith. According to the
teaching of Saint Paul, confession of the Faith is necessary for our salvation.
He says, “For if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy
heart that God hath raised Him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with
the heart we believe unto justice, but with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). We are, therefore, not permitted to be silent,
much less to agree, when our Faith, and whatever is connected therewith, as the
sacraments, ceremonies, priests, etc., are ridiculed and reviled. Parents
especially must be most careful in speaking of these subjects before their
children and servants, and do so only with due reverence.
On the contrary, we must
confess our Faith, and if necessary, defend it against all attacks. Often one
serious word will suffice to silence a calumniator of the Faith and cause him
to blush. We must confess our Faith not only in the bosom of our family, but
also in public. We must let our fellow-men know that we are true Catholics, who
adhere to our Faith from conviction, without regard to what others say of us,
or how they judge us, remembering the words of Our Lord, “Every one, therefore,
that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who
is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
It was remarked above
that Saint Blase is the patron invoked in throat troubles. Therefore the
Church, on his feast, February 3, gives a special blessing, at which she prays
over those receiving it: “By the intercession of Saint Blase, bishop and
martyr, may God deliver thee from all ills of the throat and from all other
ills; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Do not neglect to receive this blessing, if you have the opportunity. The
blessings of the Church are powerful and effective, for she is God’s
representative on earth. Therefore her blessing is God’s blessing, and is
always effective, except we ourselves place an obstacle in its way.
Prayer of the Church
O God, who dost rejoice
us through the memory of Thy blessed bishop and martyr Blase: graciously grant
us, that we, who honor his memory, may experience his protection. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-blase-bishop-and-martyr/
Maître de la
légende de sainte Lucie, Sainte Catherine d'Alexandrie, vers 1500, Exposition à Palerme, "Sicilië, pittura
fiamminga" (2018). Prêt du Couvent des capucins de Palerme
Legends
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint Catherine, Virgin and Martyr
Saint Catherine was a
native of Alexandria, Egypt, a city then famous for its schools of philosophy.
She was a daughter of Costis, half-brother of Constantine, and of Sabinella,
queen of Egypt. Her wisdom and acquirements were remarkable, the philosophy of
Plato being her favorite study. While Catherine was yet young her father died,
leaving her heiress to the kingdom. Her love of study and retirement displeased
her subjects, who desired her to marry, asserting that her gifts of noble
birth, wealth, beauty, and knowledge should be transmitted to her children.
The princess replied that
the husband whom she would wed must be even more richly endowed than herself.
His blood must be the noblest, his rank must surpass her own, his beauty
without comparison, his benignity great enough to forgive all offences. The
people of Alexandria were disheartened, for they knew of no such prince; but
Catherine remained persistent in her determination to wed none other.
Now, it happened that a
certain hermit who lived near Alexandria had a vision in which he saw the
Blessed Virgin, who sent him to tell Catherine that her divine Son was the
Spouse whom she desired. He alone possessed all, and more, than the
requirements she demanded. The holy man gave Catherine a picture of Jesus and
Mary; and when the princess had gazed upon the face of Christ she loved Him so
that she could think of naught else, and the studies in which she had been wont
to take delight became distasteful to her.
One night Catherine
dreamed that she accompanied the hermit to a sanctuary, whence angels came to
meet her. She fell on her face before them, but one of the angelic band bade
her, “Rise dear sister Catherine, for the King of glory delighteth to honor
thee.” She rose and followed the angels to the presence of the queen of heaven,
who was surrounded by angels and saints and was beautiful beyond description.
The queen welcomed her and led her to her divine Son, Our Lord. But He turned
from her, saying: “She is not fair and beautiful enough for me.”
Catherine awoke at these
words and wept bitterly until morning. She then sent for the hermit and
inquired what would make her worthy of the heavenly Bridegroom. The saintly
recluse instructed her in the true Faith and, with her mother, she was
baptized. That night, in a dream, the Blessed Virgin and her divine Son again
appeared to her. Mary presented her to Jesus, saying: “Behold, she has been
regenerated in the water of Baptism.” Then Christ smiled on her and plighted
His troth to her by putting a ring on her finger. When she awoke the ring was
still there, and thenceforth Catherine despised all earthly things and longed
only for the hour when she should go to her heavenly Bridegroom.
After the death of
Sabinella, Emperor Maximin came to Alexandria and declared a persecution
against the Christians. Catherine appeared in the temple and held an argument
with the tyrant, utterly confounding him. The emperor ordained that fifty of
the most learned men of the empire be brought to dispute with her; but,
sustained by the power of God, Catherine not only vanquished them in argument,
but converted them to the true Faith. In his fury Maximin commanded that the
new Christians be burned; and Catherine comforted them, since they could not be
baptized, by telling them that their blood should be their baptism and the
flames their crown of glory.
The emperor then tried
other means to overcome the virtue of the noble princess; but, failing to do
this, he ordered her to be cast into a dungeon and starved to death. Twelve
days later, when the dungeon was opened, a bright light and fragrant perfume
filled it, and Catherine, who had been nourished by angels, came forth radiant
and beautiful. On seeing this miracle, the empress and many noble Alexandrians
declared themselves Christians, and suffered death at the command of the
emperor.
Catherine was not spared,
for Maximin made a further attempt to win her. He offered to make her mistress
of the world if she would but listen to him, and when she still spurned his
proposals, he ordered her to the torture. She was bound to four spiked wheels
which revolved in different directions, that she might be torn into many
pieces. But an angel consumed the wheels by fire, and the fragments flying
around killed the executioners and many of the spectators. The tyrant then
ordered her to be scourged and beheaded. The sentence was carried into effect
on November 25, 307.
A pious legend,
recognized by the Church, says that angels bore Catherine’s body to Mount
Sinai, and buried it there.
Lesson
Saint Catherine, for her
erudition and the spirit of piety by which she sanctified it, was chosen the
model and patroness of Christian philosophers.
Learning, next to virtue,
is the noblest quality and ornament of the human mind. Profane science teaches
many useful truths, but when compared with the importance of the study of the
science of the saints, they are of value only inasmuch as when made subservient
to the latter. The study of the saints was to live in the spirit of Christ.
This science is taught by the Church, and acquired by listening to her
instructions, by pious reading and meditation.
Be intent on learning
this science, and order your life according to its rules. It is the “one thing
necessary,” for it is the foundation of all wisdom and true happiness. “The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps. cx. 10).
Prayer of the Church
O God, who didst give the
law to Moses on the summit of Mount Sinai, and by the holy angels didst
miraculously transfer there the body of blessed Catherine, virgin and martyr;
grant us, we beseech Thee, to come, through her intercession, to the mountain
which is Christ. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-catherine-virgin-and-martyr/
Jacopo Bassano (1510–1592), San
Cristóbal, XVIe siècle, 148 x 87, musée national des Beaux-Arts
de Cuba
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
– Saint Christophorus, Martyr
Legend
An ancient tradition
concerning Saint Christophorus relates: He was born in the land of Canaan, and
was named Reprobus, that is Reprobate, for he was a barbarous heathen. In stature
and strength he was a giant. Thinking no one his like in bodily vigor, he
resolved to go forth in search of the mightiest master and serve him. In his
wanderings, he met with a king who was praised as the most valorous man on
earth. To him he offered his services and was accepted. The king was proud of
his giant and kept him near his person. One day a minstrel visited the king’s
castle, and among the ballads he sung before the court was one on the power of
Satan. At the mention of this name the king blessed himself, making the sign of
the cross. Reprobus, wondering, asked him why he did that. The king replied:
“When I make this sign, Satan has no power over me.” Reprobus rejoined: “So
thou fearest the power of Satan? Then he is mightier than thou, and I shall
seek and serve him.”
Setting forth to seek
Satan, he came into a wilderness. One dark night he met a band of wild fellows
riding through the forest. It was Satan and his escort. Reprobus bravely
accosted him, saying he wished to serve him. He was accepted. But soon he was
convinced that his new master was not the mightiest on earth. For one day,
whilst approaching a crucifix by the wayside, Satan quickly took to flight, and
Reprobus asked him for the reason. Satan replied: “That is the image of my greatest
enemy, who conquered me on the cross. From him I always flee.” When Reprobus
heard this, he left the devil, and went in search of Christ.
In his wanderings, he one
day came to a hut hidden in the forest. At its door sat a venerable old man.
Reprobus addressed him, and in the course of the conversation that ensued the
old man told him that he was a hermit, and had left the world to serve Christ,
the Lord of heaven and earth. “Thou art my man,” cried Reprobus; “Christ is He
whom I seek, for He is the strongest and the mightiest. Tell me where I can
find Him.”
The hermit then began
instructing the giant about God and the Redeemer, and concluded by saying: “He
who would serve Christ must offer himself entirely to Him, and do and suffer
everything for His sake. His reward for this will be immense and will last
forever.” Reprobus now asked the hermit to allow him to remain, and to continue
to instruct him. The hermit consented. When Reprobus was fully instructed, he
baptized him. After his baptism, a great change came over the giant. No longer
proud of his great size and strength, he became meek and humble, and asked the
hermit to assign to him some task by which he might serve God, his master.
“For,” said he, “I can not pray and fast; therefore I must serve God in some
other way.” The hermit led him to a broad and swift river nearby, and said:
“Here build thyself a hut, and when wanderers wish to cross the river, carry
them over for the love of Christ.” For there was no bridge across the river.
Henceforth, day and
night, whenever he was called, Reprobus faithfully performed the task assigned
to him. One night he heard a child calling to be carried across the river.
Quickly he rose, placed the child on his stout shoulder, took his staff and
walked into the mighty current. Arrived in midstream, the water rose higher and
higher, and the child became heavier and heavier. “O child,” he cried, “how
heavy thou art! It seems I bear the weight of the world on my shoulder.” And
the child replied, “Right thou art. Thou bearest not only the world, but the
Creator of heaven and earth. I am Jesus Christ, thy King and Lord, and
henceforth thou shalt be called Christophorus, that is, Christ-bearer. Arrived
on yonder shore, plant thy staff in the ground, and in token of my power and
might tomorrow it shall bear leaves and blossoms.”
And the child
disappeared. On reaching the other shore, Christophorus stuck his staff into
the ground, and behold, it budded forth leaves and blossoms. Then, kneeling, he
promised the Lord to serve Him ever faithfully. He kept his promise, and
thenceforth became a zealous preacher of the Gospel, converting many to the
Faith. On his missionary peregrinations he came also to Lycia, where, after his
first sermon, eighteen thousand heathens requested baptism. When Emperor Decius
heard of this, he sent a company of four hundred soldiers to capture
Christophorus. To these he preached so convincingly, that they all asked for
baptism. Decius became enraged thereat and had him cast into prison. There he
first treated him with great kindness, and surrounded him with every luxury to
tempt him to sin, but in vain. Then he ordered him to be tortured in the most
cruel manner, until he should deny the Faith. He was scourged, placed on plates
of hot iron, boiling oil was poured over and fire was lighted under him. When
all these torments did not accomplish their purpose, the soldiers were ordered
to shoot him with arrows. This, too, having no effect, he was beheaded, on July
25, 254.
Two great saints refer to
the wonderful achievements of Saint Christophorus. Saint Ambrose mentions that
this saint converted forty-eight thousand souls to Christ. Saint Vincent Ferrer
declares, that when the plague devastated Valencia, its destructive course was
stayed through the intercession of Saint Christophorus.
Lesson
The legend of Saint
Christophorus conveys a wholesome truth. We ought all to be Christ-bearers, by
preserving in our hearts faith, hope, and charity, and by receiving Our Lord
worthily in holy communion. He alone is worthy of our service. In the service
that we owe to men, we ought to serve God by doing His will. We can not divide
our heart, for Our Lord Himself says, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew
6:24). If you serve the world, it deceives you, for it can not give you what it
promises. If you serve sin, Satan is your master. He, too, deceives his
servants, and leads them to perdition. Christ on the cross conquered these two
tyrants, and with His help you can also vanquish them. Therefore, give yourself
to Him with all your heart, and you shall find peace in this world, and eternal
bliss in the next. Saint Augustine learned this truth by sad experience, and
therefore exclaims: “Thou hast created us for Thee, O Lord, and our heart is
restless till it rests in Thee.”
Prayer of the Church
Grant us, almighty God,
that whilst we celebrate the memory of Thy blessed martyr Saint Christophorus,
through his intercession the love of Thy name may be increased in us. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-christophorus-martyr/
Master of Messkirch (fl. 1520–1540).
Der Heilige Cyriacus , Pieces of the side altars of St. Martin in Messkirch, um
1535-1540, 64,1 x 24,1, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
– Saint Cyriacus, Deacon and Martyr
Legend
Emperor Maximin in token
of his gratitude to Diocletian, who had ceded the western half of his empire to
him, ordered the building of that magnificent structure in Rome, whose ruins
are still known as the “Baths of Diocletian.” The Christians imprisoned for the
Faith were compelled to labor under cruel overseers at this building. A zealous
Christian Roman, touched with pity at this moving spectacle, resolved to employ
his means in improving the condition of these poor victims of persecution.
Among the deacons of the
Roman Church at that time was one by the name of Cyriacus, who was
distinguished by his zeal in the performance of all good works. Him, with two
companions, Largus and Smaragdus, the pious Roman selected for the execution of
his plan. Cyriacus devoted himself to the work with great ardor. One day,
whilst visiting the laborers to distribute food amongst them, he observed a
decrepit old man, who was so feeble that he was unable to perform his severe
task. Filled with pity, Cyriacus offered to take his place. The aged prisoner
consenting, the merciful deacon thenceforth worked hard at the building. But
after some time he was discovered, and cast into prison. There he again found
opportunity to exercise his zeal. Some blind men who had great confidence in
the power of his prayer, came to ask him for help in their affliction, and he
restored their sight. He and his companions spent three years in prison, and
during that time he healed many sick and converted a great number of heathens
from the darkness of paganism.
Then Emperor Diocletian’s
little daughter became possessed by an evil spirit, and no one was able to
deliver her from it. To the idolatrous priests who were called, the evil spirit
declared that he would leave the girl only when commanded to do so by Cyriacus,
the deacon. He was hastily summoned, and prayed and made the sign of the cross
over the girl, and the evil spirit departed. The emperor loved his daughter,
therefore he was grateful to the holy deacon, and presented him with a house, where
he and his companions might serve their God unmolested by their enemies.
About this time the
daughter of the Persian King Sapor was attacked by a similar malady, and when
he heard what Cyriacus had done for Diocletian’s daughter, he wrote to the
emperor, asking him to send the Christian deacon. It was done, and Cyriacus, on
foot, set out for Persia. Arrived at his destination, he prayed over the girl
and the evil spirit left her. On hearing of this miracle, four hundred and
twenty heathens were converted to the Faith. These the saint instructed and
baptized, and then set out on his homeward journey.
Returned to Rome, he
continued his life of prayer and good works. But when Diocletian soon afterward
left for the East, his co-emperor Maximin seized the opportunity to give vent
to his hatred for the Christians, and renewed their persecution. One of the
first victims was Cyriacus. He was loaded with chains and brought before the
judge, who first tried blandishments and promises to induce him to renounce
Christ and to sacrifice to the idols, but in vain. Then the confessor of Christ
was stretched on the rack, his limbs torn from their sockets, and he was beaten
with clubs. His companions shared the same tortures. Finally, when the emperor
and the judge were convinced that nothing would shake the constancy of the holy
martyrs, they were beheaded. They gained the crown of glory on March 16, 303.
Lesson
In the life of Saint
Cyriacus two virtues shine forth in a special manner; his love of God and his
charity toward his fellow-men. His love of God impelled him to sacrifice all,
even his life, for His sake, thereby fulfilling the commandment: “Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy
whole mind” (Matthew 22:37). A greater love of God no man can have than giving
his life for Him.
Saint Cyriacus also
fulfilled the other commandment, of which Our Lord declared, “And the second is
like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt. xxii. 39). He
helped his fellow-Christians to bear their burdens, relieved them in their
sufferings, assisted and encouraged them by word and deed, and edified them by
his example. His sole aim was to do good to all men, mindful of the words of
the Royal Prophet: “Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and
the poor” (Psalm 40:2). He was so imbued with the virtue of charity, that he
was disposed even to sacrifice his life for the relief and assistance of
others.
How shall we justify our
unfeeling hardness of heart, by which we seek every trifling pretense to exempt
us from the duty of aiding the unfortunate? Remember the threat of the apostle,
“Judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy” (James 2:13).
Prayer of the Church
O God, who rejoicest us
by the remembrance of Thy blessed martyrs Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus;
grant, we beseech Thee, that we, by celebrating their memory, may imitate their
fortitude in suffering. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-cyriacus-deacon-and-martyr/
Maître de Meßkirch (fl. 1520–1540),
Heiliger Dionysius von Paris als Bischof und Märtyrer / saint Denis de Paris, Pieces of
the side altars of St. Martin in Messkirch, vers 1535-1540, 61,8 x 27,3, Staatsgalerie,
Stuttgart
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
– Saint Dionysius, Bishop and Martyr
Legend
When Saint Paul the
Apostle, in the year of Our Lord 51, came to Athens to preach the Gospel, he
was summoned to the Areopagus, the great council which determined all religious
matters. Among the members of this illustrious assembly was Dionysius. His mind
had already been prepared to receive the good tidings of the Gospel by the
miraculous darkness which overspread the earth at the moment of Our Lord’s
death on the cross. He was at that time at Heliopolis, in Egypt. On beholding
the sun obscured in the midst of its course, and this without apparent cause,
he is said to have exclaimed: “Either the God of nature is suffering, or the
world is about to be dissolved.” When Saint Paul preached before the Areopagus
in Athens, Dionysius easily recognized the truth and readily embraced it.
The Apostle received him
among his disciples, and appointed him bishop of the infant Church of Athens.
As such he devoted himself with great zeal to the propagation of the Gospel. He
made a journey to Jerusalem to visit the places hallowed by the footsteps and
sufferings of our Redeemer, and there met the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint
James, the evangelist Saint Luke, and other holy apostolic men. He also had the
happiness to see and converse with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was so
overwhelmed by her presence that he declared, that if he knew not Jesus to be
God, he would consider her divine.
The idolatrous priests of
Athens were greatly alarmed at the many conversions resulting from the eloquent
preaching of Dionysius, and instigated a revolt against him. The holy bishop
left Athens, and, going to Rome, visited the Pope, Saint Clement. He sent him
with some other holy men to Gaul. Some of his companions remained to evangelize
the cities in the south, while Dionysius, with the priest Rusticus and the
deacon Eleutherius continued their journey northward as far as Lutetia, the
modern Paris, where the Gospel had not yet been announced. Here for many years
he and his companions labored with signal success, and finally obtained the
crown of martyrdom on Oct. 9, 119. Dionysius was beheaded at the advanced age
of 110 years.
The spot where the three
martyrs Dionysius, Rusticus, and Eleutherius suffered martyrdom, is the
well-known hill of Montmartre. An ancient tradition relates that Saint Dionysius,
after his head was severed from his body, took it up with his own hands and
carried it two thousand paces to the place where, later, a church was built in
his honor. The bodies of the martyrs were thrown into the river Seine, but
taken up and honorably interred by a Christian lady named Catulla not far from
the place where they had been beheaded. The Christians soon built a chapel on
their tomb.
Saint Dionysius was not
only a great missionary and bishop, but also one of the most illustrious
writers of the early Church. Some of his works, which are full of Catholic
doctrine and Christian wisdom, are still extant, and well worthy of a convert
and disciple of Saint Paul, whose spirit they breathe.
Lesson
The apostolic men like
Saint Dionysius, who converted so many to Christ, were filled with His spirit,
and acted and lived for Him alone. They gave their lives to spread His
religion, convinced that the welfare of individuals and nations depends upon
it.
On religion depends the
security and stability of all government and of society. Human laws are too
weak to restrain those who disregard and despise the law of God. Unless a man’s
conscience is enlightened by religion and bound by its precepts, his passions
will so far enslave him, that the impulse of evil inclinations will prompt him
to every villainy of which he hopes to derive an advantage, if he can but
accomplish his purpose secretly and with impunity.
True religion, on the
contrary, insures comfort, peace, and happiness amid the sharpest trials, safety
in death itself, and after death the most glorious and eternal reward in God.
How grateful, therefore, must we be to the men who preached the true religion
amid so many difficulties, trials, and persecutions; and also to those who
preach it now, animated by the same spirit. And how carefully should we avoid
all persons, books, and periodicals that revile and calumniate our holy Faith,
and attempt its subversion!
Prayer of the Church
O God, who didst confer
on Thy blessed servant Dionysius the virtue of fortitude in suffering, and
didst join with him Rusticus and Eleutherius, to announce Thy glory to the
heathens, grant, we beseech Thee, that following them, we may despise, for the
love of Thee, the pleasures of this world, and that we do not recoil from its
adversities. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-dionysius-bishop-and-martyr/
_-_Hl._Erasmus_-_8617_-_Kunsthistorisches_Museum.jpg)
Suiveur
de Lucas Cranach l'Ancien (1472–1553),
Saint Erasmus, vers 1510, 68,5 x 46, musée d'Histoire de l'art de
Vienne / Österreichische Galerie
Belvedere
Legends
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint Erasmus, Bishop and Martyr
The pious historians of
the early Christian times state, as a rule, only what the saints did and
suffered for the Faith, and how they died. They deemed the martyrs’ glorious
combat and their victorious entrance into heaven more instructive, and
therefore more important, than a lengthy description of their lives.
Hence we know little of
the native place and the youth of Saint Erasmus, except that at the beginning
of the fourth century of the Christian era he was bishop of Antioch in Asia
Minor, the city where the name of “Christian” first came into use. When a long
and cruel persecution broke out under the Emperor Diocletian, Saint Erasmus hid
himself in the mountains of the Libanon, and led there, for some years, an
austere life of penance and fasting. Finally he was discovered and dragged
before the judge.
At first, persuasions and
kindness were employed to induce him to deny the Faith, but when these efforts
failed recourse was had to the most cruel torments. He was scourged, and
finally cast into a caldron filled with boiling oil, sulphur, and pitch. In
this seething mass God preserved him from harm, and by this miracle many
spectators were converted to the Faith. Still more enraged thereat, the judge
ordered the holy bishop to be thrown into prison and kept there in chains till
he died of starvation. But God delivered him, as He had once delivered Saint
Peter. One night an angel appeared to him and said: “Erasmus, follow me! Thou
shalt convert a great many.” Thus far he had led numbers to the Faith by
suffering, now he was to convert multitudes as a missionary.
Delivered from prison by
the power of God, he went forth into many lands and preached the Faith. Mighty
in word and deed, he wrought many miracles and converted great numbers of
heathens. At length he came to Italy, where Emperor Maximin persecuted the
Christians as fiercely as did Diocletian in the East. As soon as Maximin heard
of Erasmus and the conversions effected by his preaching and miracles, he
ordered the slaughter of three hundred of the converts. Erasmus himself was
most cruelly tortured, but to no purpose. He remained firm. Then cast into
prison, he was again liberated by an angel.
At last the hour of
deliverance came to this valiant and apostolic confessor and martyr of Christ.
He heard a heavenly voice, saying: “Erasmus, come now to the heavenly city and
rest in the place which God has prepared for thee with the holy martyrs and
prophets. Enjoy now the fruit of thy labor. By thee I was honored in heaven and
on earth.” Erasmus, looking toward heaven, saw a splendid crown, and the
apostles and prophets welcoming him. He bowed his head, saying: “Receive, O
Lord, the soul of thy servant!” and peacefully breathed forth his spirit on
June 2, 308.
Lesson
The tortures which Saint
Erasmus suffered for the Faith seem almost incredible, and the events related
of him are truly wonderful. Martyrdom and miracles illustrated the doctrine he
preached; he converted multitudes and gained the crown of heaven.
Perhaps you say that in
our times there are no longer any martyrs, at least not in civilized countries.
Are you quite sure of it? Saint Augustine writes: “Peace also has its martyrs.”
It is certainly not easy to suffer torments like the martyrs and to receive
finally the death-dealing blow of the sword. But is it not also a martyrdom to
suffer for years the pains of a lingering illness? Again, how difficult the
combat with the world, the flesh, and the powers of hell! How carefully must we
watch and pray to gain the victory! This is our martyrdom. Let us imitate the
example of the holy martyrs in bearing the trials and sufferings of life, and
we shall receive, as they did, the crown of heaven.
Prayer of the Church
O God, who dost give us
joy through the memory of Thy holy martyrs, graciously grant that we may be
inflamed by their example, in whose merits we rejoice. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-erasmus-bishop-and-martyr/
Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), Saint Eustachius, Paumgartner-Altar:
Stephan Paumgartner als hl. Georg Rückseite: Maria der Verkündigung / retable
Paumgartner, après 1503, 157 x 61, Alte Pinakothek
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
– Saint Eustachius, Martyr
Legend
At the beginning of the
second century, during the reign of Emperor Trajan, there lived in Rome a
famous general by the name of Placidus, who was distinguished among his
fellow-citizens for his wealth and military prowess. It happened one day, that
while following the chase he became separated from his companions, and was
pursuing with eagerness a stag of extraordinary size, when suddenly it turned
toward him, and he beheld raised aloft between its antlers the image of Jesus
Christ suspended on the cross. At the same time our blessed Saviour addressed
him in loving words, inviting him henceforth to follow Him by embracing the
Christian faith, and to make eternal life in future the object of his pursuit.
Faithful to the grace
which he had received, Placidus on his return home communicated the heavenly
vision to his wife Tatiana, who informed him that she too had been favored with
a heavenly apparition. Together they went immediately to the Pope, related
their experience, and after due instruction received Baptism.
At the sacred font
Placidus received the name of Eustachius, and his wife was called Theopista,
while his sons were baptized by the names of Agapitus and Theopistus.
Upon returning to the
spot where he first received the call, Eustachius was favored with another
communication from Our Lord, announcing to him that he was destined to endure
many and great afflictions for the sake of Christ. It was not long before his
faith and patience were put to a severe trial. Stripped of all his possessions
and forced to flee from the fury of the persecution, he was reduced to extreme
distress, and in the course of his wanderings was by a series of calamitous
events separated from his wife and children, of whom he lost all trace. For
many years he dwelt in a remote spot, following the occupation of a farm
laborer, until he was found by the messengers of the emperor, who was sadly in
need of the skill of his former general, because a fierce war had broken out,
in which the Romans sustained severe losses.
Being again invested with
the command of the imperial troops, Eustachius set out for the seat of war, and
achieved a decisive victory. In the course of his march he had the happiness,
by a singular providence of God, to recover his wife and children, with whom he
returned to Rome. His entrance into the city was attended with great
rejoicings, and many were the congratulations which he received on his
extraordinary good fortune. But soon afterward a solemn sacrifice of
thanksgiving to the pagan deities was proclaimed, in which he was ordered by
the emperor to take a part. Upon his refusal, after every effort had been made
to shake his constancy, he was condemned to be exposed to the lions in the public
amphitheater along with his wife and children. Finally, as the savage animals,
laying aside their natural ferocity, refused to injure the confessors of
Christ, Eustachius and his family were by order of the emperor enclosed in the
body of an immense brazen bull, which was heated by means of a great fire
enkindled beneath. The last moments of these heroic martyrs was spent in
chanting the divine praises, in the midst of which their happy souls passed to
the enjoyment of everlasting bliss. Their bodies, miraculously preserved
uninjured, were buried with great devotion by the faithful Christians, and were
afterward transferred to a magnificent church erected in their honor.
Lesson
Hhow inspiring, to see a
great man preferring justice, truth, and religion to the favor of the mighty,
readily quitting estate, friends, country, and even sacrificing life, rather
than consent to do violence to his conscience; and to see him, at the same
time, meek, humble, patient in suffering, forgiving sincerely and loving his
unjust and treacherous persecutors! Passion and revenge often beget anger and
triumph over virtue and integrity. Ambition and the desire of wealth may, for a
time, urge men on to brave danger, but finally they reduce them to the most
abject slavery, and result in grievous crimes and misery. Religion alone is the
source of charity, magnanimity, and true courage. It so enlightens the mind, as
to place a man above the vicissitudes of the world; it renders him steadfast
and calm in adversity, preserves him from error, teaches him to bear injustice
and calumny in a tranquil spirit, and gives him that ineffable peace and joy
which springs from the conviction that God’s will is always most just and holy
and that He protects, aids, and rewards His servants.
Does religion exert this
powerful influence on us? Do we show it in our actions and conduct? Our courage
and constancy must be apparent not only when we encounter danger and
opposition, but also when our evil propensity urges us to yield to temptations
that present sin to us in the guise of pleasure.
Prayer of the Church
O God, who dost permit us
to celebrate the remembrance of Thy blessed martyrs, Eustachius and companions,
grant us, that we may enjoy their company in eternal bliss. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-eustachius-martyr/
_-_Heiliger_Georg.jpg)
Attribué
à Hans von Kulmbach (1480–1522), Heiliger
Georg (Fragment) / Saint Georges et le Dragon,
vers 1510, 56,7 x 43, musée Wallraf-Richartz, Cologne
Legends
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint George, Martyr
Legend
Saint George is honored
throughout Christendom as one of the most illustrious martyrs of Jesus Christ.
In the reign of the first Christian emperors numerous churches were erected in
his honor, and his tomb in Palestine became a celebrated place of pilgrimage.
But his history is involved in great obscurity, as no early records of his life
and martyrdom are at present in existence. The following are the traditions
concerning him which have been handed down to us by the Greek historians, and
which are celebrated in verse by that illustrious saint and poet of the eighth
century, Saint John Damascene.
Saint George is said to
have been born in Cappadocia of noble Christian parents. After the death of his
father, he traveled with his mother into Palestine, of which she was a native.
There she possessed a considerable estate, which fell to him upon her death.
Being strong and robust in body, he embraced the profession of a soldier, and
was made a tribune, or colonel, in the army. His courage and fidelity attracted
the attention of Emperor Diocletian, who bestowed upon him marks of special
favor. When that prince declared war against the Christian religion, Saint
George laid aside the signs of his rank, threw up his commission, and rebuked
the emperor for the severity of his bloody edicts. He was immediately cast into
prison, and alternate threats and promises were employed to induce him to
apostatize. As he continued firm, he was put to the torture and tormented with
great cruelty. “I despise your promises,” he said to the judge, “and do not
fear your threats. The emperor’s power is of short duration, and his reign will
soon end. It were better for you, to acknowledge the true God and to seek His
kingdom.” Thereupon a great block of stone was placed on the breast of the
brave young officer, and thus he was left in prison.
Next day he was bound
upon a wheel set with sharp knives, and it was put in motion to cut him to
pieces. Whilst suffering this cruel torture, he saw a heavenly vision, which
consoled and encouraged him, saying, “George, fear not; I am with thee.” His
patience and fortitude under the torments inflicted on him so affected the
numerous pagan spectators that many of them were converted to the Faith and
suffered martyrdom for it. On the next day, April 23, 303, Saint George was led
through the city and beheaded. This took place at Lydda, the city in which, as
we read in the Acts of the Apostles (ix.), Saint Peter healed a man sick with
the palsy.
Saint George is usually
represented as a knight tilting against a dragon; but this is only emblematical
of the glorious combat in which he encountered and overthrew the devil, winning
for himself thereby a martyr’s crown.
Lesson
We, too, like Saint
George, often have opportunity to confess our faith in Christ. We confess it by
patiently bearing adversity, by suppressing our evil inclinations, by suffering
injustice without retaliating evil for evil, by using every opportunity of
performing deeds of charity, by devoting ourselves unremittingly to our daily
duties, by carefully guarding our tongue, etc. Examine yourself whether you
have not often denied your Faith, if not in words, through your works.
Prayer of the Church
O God, who dost rejoice
us by the merits and intercession of Thy blessed martyr George; graciously grant
that we, who through him implore Thee for Thy bounty, may receive thereby the
gift of Thy grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-george-martyr/
Hans
Memling (circa 1433 –1494), Altartriptychon aus dem
Lübecker Dom, heute im St. Annen-Museum, rechter Außenflügel: Hl. Aegidius, 1491,
205 x 75, St.
Anne's Museum, Bruges
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
– Saint Giles, Hermit and Abbot
Legend
Athens, in Greece, was
the native city of Saint Giles. He was of noble parentage, and devoted himself
from early youth to piety and learning. After the death of his parents he
distributed his rich inheritance to the poor, and to escape the applause of men
for his charity left his country to bury himself in obscurity.
He sailed for France, and
on his arrival there retired to a deserted country near the mouth of the river
Rhone. Later he made his abode near the river Gard, and finally buried himself
in a forest in the diocese of Nimes. In this solitude he passed many years,
living on wild herbs and roots, with water for his drink. It is related that
for some time a hind came daily to be milked by him, thus furnishing him
additional sustenance. Here he lived, disengaged from earthly cares, conversing
only with God, and engaged in the contemplation of heavenly things.
One day the king
instituted a great hunt in the forest where Giles lived, and encountered the
hind. Giving chase, the royal hunter was led to the saint’s hut, where the
panting animal had sought refuge. The king inquired who he was, and was greatly
edified at the holiness of his life. The fame of the saintly hermit now spread
far and wide, and was much increased by the many miracles wrought through his
intercession. The king tried to persuade him to leave his solitude, but
prevailed upon him only in so far, that Giles accepted several disciples and
founded a monastery in which the rule of Saint Benedict was observed, and of
which he was chosen the abbot. He governed his community wisely and well, and
at the earnest solicitation of his monks was ordained priest.
The fame of Saint Giles’
sanctity induced the Frankish King, Charles Martel to call him to his court to
relieve him of a great trouble of conscience. The saint made the journey, and
told the king that he would find relief and comfort only by the sincere
confession of a sin which he had hitherto concealed. The king followed his
advice, found interior peace and dismissed Giles with many tokens of gratitude.
On his homeward journey the saint raised the recently deceased son of a
nobleman to life.
After a short stay in his
monastery Saint Giles went to Rome, to obtain from the Pope the confirmation of
some privileges and the apostolic blessing for his community. The Pope granted
his wishes, and presented him, besides, with two grand and beautifully carved
doors of cedar wood for his church.
Saint Giles died at a
ripe old age on September 1, 725. Many miracles were wrought at his tomb.
Lesson
Saint Giles left his
native country and retired into solitude to escape the notice and applause of
the world, and served God as a recluse. To lead such a life, there must be a
special call from God. It is not suited to all, and even inconsistent with the
duties of most men. But all are capable of disengaging their affections from
the inordinate attachment to creatures, and of attaining to a pure and holy
love of God. By making the service of God the motive of their thoughts and
actions, they will sanctify their whole life.
In whatever conditions of
life we may be placed, we have opportunities of subduing our evil inclinations
and mortifying ourselves by frequent self-denials, of watching over our hearts
and purifying our senses by recollection and prayer. Thus each one, in his
station of life, may become a saint, by making his calling an exercise of
virtue and his every act a step higher to perfection and eternal glory.
Prayer of the Church
O Lord, we beseech Thee
to let us find grace through the intercession of thy blessed confessor Giles;
that what we can not obtain through our merits be given us through his
intercession. Through Christ our Lord Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-giles-hermit-and-abbot/
Raphael (1483–1520), Sainte Marguerite d'Antioche, 1518, 192 x 122, Kunsthistorisches Museum
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
– Saint Margaret, Virgin and Martyr
Legend
Saint Margaret was the
daughter of a pagan priest at Antioch. She lost her mother in infancy and was
placed in the care of a nurse in the country, who was a Christian, and whose
first care was to have her little charge baptized and to give the child a
Christian education. Margaret grew up a modest, pious virgin, and when she
returned to her father he was charmed with the grace and virtue of his
daughter. He regretted only one thing; she took no part in the worship of the
idols. When she told him the reason he was greatly displeased, for she stated
that she was a Christian, and that nothing should separate her from the love of
Christ.
Her father tried every
means to change her mind, and when all his endeavors failed became enraged and
drove her forth from his house. Margaret returned to her nurse and became her
servant, doing all kinds of menial work, and at the same time perfecting
herself in virtue.
About this time Emperor
Diocletian began to persecute the Christians. One day Alybrius, the prefect of
the city, saw Margaret, and fell in love with her. He sent a messenger to ask
her in marriage. The pious virgin was filled with consternation at the proposal
and replied to the messenger: “I can not be espoused to your master, because I
am the spouse of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I am promised to Him, and to Him I wish
to belong.” When the prefect heard this, he became furious with rage, and gave
orders to have the virgin brought to him by force. When she appeared before him
he thus addressed her: “What is your name and condition?” She replied: “I am called
Margaret, and belong to a noble family. I adore Christ and serve Him.” The
prefect now advised her to abandon the worship of a crucified God. Margaret
asked him, “How do you know that we worship a crucified God?” The prefect
replied: “From the books of the Christians.” Margaret continued: “Why did you
not read further on? The books of the Christians would have told you that the
Crucified rose on the third day, and that He ascended into heaven. Is it love
of truth to believe in the abasement of Christ and to reject His glorification,
when both are related in the selfsame book?”
At this reproof the
prefect became angry and ordered the tender virgin to be cruelly scourged,
placed on the rack, and torn with iron combs. Then she was cast into prison.
There Margaret fervently thanked God for the victory she had achieved and
implored His help for the combat yet in store for her. Suddenly there appeared
to her the arch-enemy of mankind in the shape of a furious dragon, threatening
to swallow her. The brave virgin feared him not, but made the sign of the
cross, and the monster vanished. Then her desolate prison cell became suffused
with heavenly light, and her heart was filled with divine consolation. At the
same time her terrible wounds were suddenly healed, and not the least scar was
left.
Next day Margaret was
again brought before the prefect. Surprised at her complete recovery from the
effects of his cruelty, he remarked that no doubt it was due to the power of
the pagan gods, and exhorted her to show her gratitude to them by sacrificing
to the idols. Margaret maintained that she had been healed by the power of
Christ alone and declared that she despised the heathen gods. At this, the rage
of Alybrius knew no bounds. He ordered lighted torches to be applied to
Margaret’s body, and then had her cast into icy water to intensify her torture.
But scarcely had this been done when a violent earthquake occurred. Her bonds
were severed and she rose unscathed from the water, without a mark of the burns
caused by the flaming torches. On witnessing this miracle, a great number of
spectators were converted to the Faith.
Finally the prefect
ordered Margaret to be beheaded. Her glorious martyrdom and death occurred
about the year 275.
Lesson
The history of the virgin
martyr Saint Margaret teaches us that we can and ought to serve God even in
youth. In the Old Law God commanded all the first-born and the first-fruits to
be offered to Him. “Thou shalt not delay to pay thy tithes and first-fruits.
Thou shalt give the first-born of thy sons to Me” (Ex. xxii. 29).
Certainly our whole life
ought to be dedicated to the service of God; but from the above command we are
to understand that God especially desires our service during the early years of
our life. They are our first-fruits. Saint Augustine calls the years of youth
the blossoms, the most beautiful flowers of life, and Saint Thomas Aquinas
writes: “What the young give to God in their early years, they give of the
bloom, of the full vigor and beauty of life.”
Youth is the age beset
with countless temptations. Safety is found only in the service of God, by
obedience, humility, and docility. This is not so difficult as it appears, and
Our Lord Himself invites you to His service, saying: “My son, give Me thy
heart” (Proverbs 23:26), and, “Taste and see that the Lord is sweet” (Psalm
33:9).
Prayer of the Church
We beseech Thee, O Lord,
grant us Thy favor through the intercession of Thy blessed virgin and martyr
Margaret, who pleased Thee by the merit of her purity and by the confession of
Thy might. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-margaret-virgin-and-martyr/
Schwabach - City Church. Altar of Saint Sebastian ( 1490 ) with closed wings showing the Fourteen Holy Helpers -
Saint Pantaleon.
Schwabach
- Stadtkirche. Sebastiansaltar ( 1490 ) mit geschlossenen Flügeln: 14 Nothelfer
- Heiliger Pantaleon.
Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
– Saint Pantaleon, Physician and Martyr
Legend
Saint Pantaleon was
physician to Emperor Maximin and a Christian, but he fell through a temptation
which is sometimes more dangerous than the most severe trials by the fiercest torments.
This temptation was the bad example of the impious, idolatrous courtiers with
whom the young physician associated. He was seduced by them and abandoned the
Faith. But the grace of God called him, and he obeyed.
Hermolaus, a zealous
priest, by prudent exhortation awakened Pantaleon’s conscience to a sense of
his guilt, and brought him back into the fold of the Church. Henceforth he
devoted himself ardently to the advancement of the spiritual and temporal
welfare of his fellow-citizens. First of all he sought to convert his father,
who was still a heathen, and had the consolation to see him die a Christian. He
divided the ample fortune which he inherited amongst the poor and the sick. As
a physician, he was intent on healing his patients both by physical and by
spiritual means. Christians he confirmed in the practice and confession of the
Faith, and the heathens he sought to convert. Many suffering from incurable
diseases were restored to health by his prayer and the invocation of the holy
name of Jesus. His presence was everywhere fraught with blessings and
consolation.
Saint Pantaleon yearned
to prove his fidelity to the Faith by shedding his blood for it, and the
opportunity came to him when his heathen associates in the healing art
denounced him to the emperor as a zealous propagator of Christianity. He was
brought up before the emperor’s tribunal and ordered to sacrifice to the idols.
He replied: “The God whom I adore is Jesus Christ. He created heaven and earth,
He raised the dead to life, made the blind see and healed the sick, all through
the power of His word. Your idols are dead, they can not do anything. Order a
sick person to be brought here, one declared incurable. Your priests shall
invoke their idols for him and I shall call on the only true God, and we shall
see who is able to help him.” The proposal was accepted. A man sick with the
palsy was brought, who could neither walk nor stand without help. The heathen
priests prayed for him, but in vain. Then Pantaleon prayed, took the sick man by
the hand, and said: “In the name of Jesus, the Son of God, I command thee to
rise and be well.” And the palsied man rose, restored to perfect health.
By this miracle a great
number of those present were converted. But the emperor and the idolatrous
priests were all the more enraged. Maximin now attempted to gain Pantaleon by
blandishments and promises to deny the Faith, but without success. Then he had
recourse to threats, and as they too availed nothing, he proceeded to have them
put into execution. The brave confessor of the Faith was tortured in every
conceivable manner. Finally he was nailed to a tree, and then beheaded. The
priest Hermolaus and the brothers Hermippos and Hermocrates suffered death with
him, in the year 308.
Lesson
Happy are they who,
whatever may be their station or calling in life, are intent on bringing those
with whom they come into contact under the influence of religion. But, alas,
too many do just the reverse. They permit themselves to be led astray by bad example,
and set aside the claims of the Church as too severe and exacting. How do you
act in this regard? Do you shun the company of the wicked? A proverb says:
“Tell me in whose company you are found, and I will tell you who you are.” Bad
company insensibly undermines faith and morals, overcomes the fear of evil and
the aversion to it and weakens the will. “He that loveth danger shall perish in
it” (Ecclus. iii. 27).
As soon as Saint
Pantaleon came to a sense of his apostasy, he repented and returned to the practice
of the Faith. He did this despite the knowledge that he thereby incurred hatred
and persecution. The true Christian will ever follow the dictates of conscience
and please God, whether he thereby incur the displeasure of men or not. If, to
please men, we become remiss in the service of God, we show that we fear and
love Him less than men. What a lamentable folly! Of whom have we to expect
greater benefits or to fear greater evils—from God or man? Do not act thus
unwisely; rather imitate Saint Pantaleon, and live for God and His service.
Prayer of the Church
Almighty God, grant us
through the intercession of Thy blessed martyr Pantaleon to be delivered and
preserved from all ills of the body, and from evil thoughts and influences in
spirit. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
Effigie
de Saint Guy martyr protecteur de la ville de Polignano
a Mare, provincia di Bari
Legends
of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Saint Vitus, Martyr
Saint Vitus belonged to a
noble pagan family of Sicily, and was born about the year 291, at Mazurra. His
father, Hylas, placed him in early childhood in charge of a Christian couple
named Modestus and Crescentia, who raised him in the Christian faith, and had
him baptized. He grew in years and in virtue, till, at the age of twelve, he
was claimed by his father, who, to his great anger, found him a fervent
Christian. Convinced, after many unsuccessful attempts, that stripes and other
chastisements would not induce him to renounce the Faith, his father delivered
the brave boy up to Valerian, the governor, who in vain employed every artifice
to shake his constancy. Finally he commanded Vitus to be scourged, but when two
soldiers were about to execute this order their hands and those of Valerian
were suddenly lamed. The governor ascribed this to sorcery, yet he invoked
Vitus’ help, and behold, when the Christian boy made the sign of the cross over
the lamed members, they were healed. Then Valerian sent him back to his father,
telling him to leave no means untried to induce his son to sacrifice to the
idols.
Hylas now tried
blandishments, pleasures, and amusements to influence the brave boy. He even
sent a corrupt woman to tempt him, and for that purpose locked them both
together in one room. But Vitus, who had remained firm amid tortures, resisted
also the allurements of sensuality. Closing his eyes, he knelt in prayer, and
behold, an angel appeared, filling the room with heavenly splendor, and stood
at the youth’s side. Terrified, the woman fled. But even this miracle did not
change the obstinate father.
Finally Vitus escaped,
and with Modestus and Crescentia fled to Italy. They landed safe in Naples, and
there proclaimed Christ wherever they had an opportunity. Their fervor and many
miracles which they wrought attracted the attention of Emperor Diocletian to them.
He ordered them to be brought before his tribunal, which being done, he at
first treated them kindly, employing blandishments and making promises to
induce them to renounce Christ. When this had no effect, they were cruelly
tormented, but with no other result than confirming them in their constancy.
Enraged, the emperor condemned them to be thrown to the wild beasts. But the
lions and tigers forgot their ferocity and cowered at their feet. Now
Diocletian, whose fury knew no bounds, ordered them to be cast into a caldron
of molten lead and boiling pitch. They prayed, “O God, deliver us through the
power of Thy name!” and behold, they remained unharmed. Then the emperor
condemned them to the rack, on which they expired, in the year 303.
Lesson
The heroic spirit of
martyrdom exhibited by Saint Vitus was owing to the early impressions of piety
which he received through the teaching and example of his virtuous
foster-parents. The choice of teachers, nurses, and servants who have the care
of children is of the greatest importance on account of the influence they
exert on them. The pagan Romans were most solicitous that no slave whose speech
was not perfectly elegant and graceful should have access to children. Shall a
Christian be less careful as to their virtue? It is a fatal mistake to imagine
that children are too young to be infected with the contagion of vice. No age
is more impressionable than childhood; no one observes more closely than the
young, and nothing is so easily acquired by them as a spirit of vanity, pride,
revenge, obstinacy, sloth, etc., and nothing is harder to overcome. What a
happiness for a child to be formed to virtue from infancy, and to be instilled
from a tender age with the spirit of piety, simplicity, meekness, and mercy!
Such a foundation being well laid, the soul will easily, and sometimes without
experiencing severe conflicts, rise to the height of Christian perfection.
Prayer of the Church
We beseech Thee, O Lord,
to graciously grant us through the intercession of Thy blessed martyrs Vitus,
Modestus, and Crescentia, that we may not proudly exalt ourselves, but serve
Thee in humility and simplicity, so as to avoid evil and to do right for Thy
sake. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– from Legends of the Fourteen Holy Helpers by
Father Bonaventure Hammer, 1908
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/legends-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers-saint-vitus-martyr/
The Litany of the
Fourteen Holy Helpers
For Private Devotion.
LORD, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear
us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of
the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of
Martyrs,
pray for us.
St. Joseph, helper in all
needs, etc.
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
St. George, valiant
Martyr of Christ,
St. Blaise, zealous
bishop and benefactor of the poor,
St. Erasmus, mighty
protector of the oppressed,
St. Pantaleon, miraculous
exemplar of charity,
St. Vitus, special
protector of chastity,
St. Christophorus, mighty
intercessor in dangers,
St. Dionysius, shining
mirror of faith and confidence,
St. Cyriacus, terror of
Hell,
St. Achatius, helpful
advocate in death,
St. Eustachius, exemplar
of patience in adversity,
St. Giles, despiser of
the world,
St. Margaret, valiant
champion of the Faith,
St. Catherine, victorious
defender of the Faith and of purity,
St. Barbara, mighty
patroness of the dying,
All ye Holy Helpers, etc.
All ye Saints of God,
In temptations against
faith,
In adversity and trials,
In anxiety and want,
In every combat,
In every temptation,
In sickness,
In all needs,
In fear and terror ,
In dangers of salvation,
In dangers of honor,
In dangers of reputation,
In dangers of property,
In dangers by fire and
water ,
Be merciful, spare us, O
Lord!
Be merciful, graciously
hear us, O Lord!
From all sin,
deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, etc.
From the scourge of
earthquake,
From plague, famine, and
war,
From lightning and
storms,
From a sudden and
unprovided death,
From eternal damnation,
Through the mystery of Thy
holy incarnation, etc.
Through Thy birth
and Thy life,
Through Thy Cross and
Passion,
Through Thy death and
burial,
Through the merits of Thy
blessed Mother Mary,
Through the merits of the
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
On the Day of Judgment,
deliver us, O Lord!
We sinners, beseech Thee
hear us.
That Thou spare us,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wilt pardon us,
etc.
That Thou wilt convert us
to true penance,
That Thou wilt give and
preserve the fruits of the earth,
That Thou wilt protect
and propagate Thy holy Church,
That Thou wilt preserve
peace and concord among the nations,
That Thou wilt give
eternal rest to the souls of the departed,
That Thou wilt come to
our aid through the intercession of the Holy Helpers,
That through the
intercession of St. George Thou wilt preserve us in the Faith,
That through the
intercession of St. Blaise Thou wilt confirm us in hope,
That through the
intercession of St. Erasmus Thou wilt enkindle in us Thy holy love,
That through the intercession
of St. Pantaleon Thou wilt give us charity for our neighbor,
That through the
intercession of St. Vitus Thou wilt teach us the value of our soul,
That through the
intercession of St. Christophorus Thou wilt preserve us from sin,
That through the
intercession of St. Dionysius Thou wilt give us tranquillity of conscience,
That through the
intercession of St. Cyriacus Thou wilt grant us resignation to Thy holy will,
That through the
intercession of St. Eustachius Thou wilt give us patience in adversity,
That through the
intercession of St. Achatius Thou wilt grant us a happy death,
That through the
intercession of St. Giles Thou wilt grant us a merciful judgment,
That through the
intercession of St. Margaret Thou wilt preserve us from Hell,
That through the
intercession of St. Catherine Thou wilt shorten our Purgatory,
That through the
intercession of St. Barbara Thou wilt receive us in Heaven,
That through the
intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant our prayers,
Lamb of God, who takest away
the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest
away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O
Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest
away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Pray for us, ye
Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promise of Christ.
Let us Pray.
ALMIGHTY and eternal God,
Who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on Thy Saints George, Blase,
Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius,
Achatius, Giles, Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by
miracles; we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke
their intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who didst
miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the confession of the Faith;
grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all
temptations against it, and protect us through their irttercession in all
dangers of soul and body, so that we may serve Thee in purity of heart and
chastity of body. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY
HELPERS
FOURTEEN Holy Helpers,
who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are
now in the enjoyment of
His beatific vision in Heaven; because thou persevered till death thou gained
the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale
of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
select friends of God, I honor thee as mighty intercessors, and come with
filial confidence to thee in my needs, for the relief of which I have
undertaken to make this novena. Help me by thy intercession to placate God's
wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and
doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be
resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the
end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join thee in Heaven,
there to praise for ever God, Who is wonderful in His Saints. Amen.
AMONG THE SAINTS/MARTYRS
who in Catholic devotion are invoked with special confidence, because they have
proved themselves efficacious helpers in adversity and difficulties, there is a
group venerated under the collective name of the Fourteen Holy Helpers,
although many of them have a devoted following as individual Saints:
St. George, Martyr, by
custom placed first and not in order of Feast Day; [April 23]
St. Blaise [Blase],
Bishop and Martyr; [February 3]
St. Pantaleon, Martyr;
[July 27]
St. Vitus, Martyr; [June
15]
St. Erasmus [Elmo], Bishop
and Martyr; [June 2]
St. Christophorus
[Christopher], Martyr; [July 25]
St. Giles, Abbot;
[September 1]
St. Cyriacus [Cyriac],
Martyr; [August 8]
St. Achatius, Martyr;
[May 8]
St. Dionysius [Denis], Bishop
and Martyr; [October 9]
St. Eustachius [Eustace],
Martyr; [September 20]
St. Catherine of
Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr; [November 25]
St. Margaret, Virgin and
Martyr; [July 20]
and St. Barbara, Virgin
and Martyr. [December 4]
These Saints are invoked
as a group, apart from individual patronage, because of the epidemic called the
"Black Plague," which devastated Europe between 1346-1349. Among
its symptoms were a turning black of the tongue, parching of the throat,
violent headache, fever and boils on the abdomen. The malady attacked its
victims without warning, robbed them of reason and killed them within a few
hours, and many died without the last Sacraments. fear caused many attacks and
disrupted social and family ties. To all appearances the disease was incurable.
During this affliction,
the pious turned toward Heaven, having recourse to the Saints, praying to be
spared or cured. Among the Saints invoked were these 14 who already had
patronage over certain illnesses or tragedies:
St. Christopher and St.
Giles, plagues, St. Denis, headaches, St. Blaise, ills of the throat [although
St. Ignatius of Antioch is also a patron of those with sore throats], St. Elmo,
patron of abdominal maladies [and one of the several Saints having patronage
over childbirth, which is not an illness, of course, as well as patron of
sailors], St. Barbara, against fever, St. Vitus, [with St. Dymphna, against
epilepsy], St. Pantaleon, patron of physicians, St. Cyriacus, recourse in time
of temptations, especially at the hour of death; Sts. Christopher, Barbara, and
Catherine were appealed to for protection against a sudden, unprovided death;
the aid of St. Giles was implored for making a good confession; St. Eustace,
patron of all kinds of difficulties, especially family troubles. Domestic
animals were also attacked by the plague: Sts. George, Erasmus, Pantaleon and
Vitus were invoked for their protection. St. Margaret of Antioch is the patron
of safe childbirth deliveries [along with St.Gerard Majella and Raymond
Nonnantus]. As devotion spread, Pope Nicholas V in the 16th century attached
indulgences to devotion of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, which are no longer
attached under the modern norms and grants, although their cultus is still
efficacious and to be promoted.
THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS,
Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, O.F.M.
TAN
BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS, 1995; with Imprimatur, Imprimi Potest and Nihil
Obstat.
SOURCE : http://www.catholictradition.org/Litanies/litany63.htm
14 Nothelfer, Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus Meran
FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS
A group of saints invoked
with special confidence because they have proven themselves efficacious helpers
in adversity and difficulties, known and venerated under the name Fourteen
Holy Helpers. Though each has a seperate feast or memorial day, the group was
collectively venerated on 8 August. However, this feast was
dropped and suppressed in the 1969 reform of the calendar.
They are invoked as a
group because of the Black Plague which devastated Europe from 1346 to 1349. Among its symptoms were the tongue turning
black, a parched throat, violent headache, fever, and boils on the abdomen. It attacked
without warning, robbed its victims of reason, and killed within a few hours;
many died without the last Sacraments. Brigands roamed the roads, people
suspected of contagion were attacked, animals died, people starved, whole
villages vanished into the grave, social order and family ties broke down, and
the disease appeared incurable. The pious turned to Heaven, begging the
intervention of the saints, praying to be spared or cured. This group devotion
began in Germany, and the tradition has remained strong
there.
against headaches
against fever
against sudden death
against ills of the
throat
against sudden death
against sudden death
against temptations,
especially at time of death
against headaches
against abdominal
maladies
for protection of
domestic animals
against family trouble
for protection of
domestic animals
against plagues
for a good confession
for safe childbirth
for physicians
for protection of domestic
animals
against epilepsy
for protection of
domestic animals
As devotion spread, Pope Nicholas V attached
indulgences to devotion of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the 16th century, but
these are no longer attached under the modern norms and grants.
Die katholische Kirche St. Lorenz in der Oberpfälzer Stadt Berching:
Die katholische Kirche St. Lorenz in der Oberpfälzer Stadt Berching:
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY
HELPERS
Fourteen Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in Heaven; because thou persevered till death thou gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
select friends of God, I honor thee as mighty intercessors, and come with
filial confidence to thee in my needs, for the relief of which I have
undertaken to make this novena. Help me by thy intercession to placate God's
wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and
doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be
resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the
end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join thee in Heaven,
there to praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His Saints. Amen.
The Litany of the
Fourteen Holy Helpers
LORD, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear
us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of
the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of
Martyrs,
pray for us.
Saint Joseph, helper in
all needs, etc.
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
Saint George, valiant
Martyr of Christ,
Saint Blase, zealous
bishop and benefactor of the poor,
Saint Erasmus, mighty
protector of the oppressed,
Saint Pantaleon,
miraculous exemplar of charity,
Saint Vitus, special
protector of chastity,
Saint Christophorus,
mighty intercessor in dangers,
Saint Dionysius, shining
mirror of faith and confidence,
Saint Cyriacus, terror of
Hell,
Saint Achatius, helpful
advocate in death,
Saint Eustachius,
exemplar of patience in adversity,
Saint Giles, despiser of
the world,
Saint Margaret, valiant
champion of the Faith,
Saint Catherine,
victorious defender of the Faith and of purity,
Saint Barbara, mighty
patroness of the dying,
All ye Holy Helpers, etc.
All ye Saints of God,
In temptations against
faith,
In adversity and trials,
In anxiety and want,
In every combat,
In every temptation,
In sickness,
In all needs,
In fear and terror,
In dangers of salvation,
In dangers of honor,
In dangers of reputation,
In dangers of property,
In dangers by fire and
water,
Be merciful, spare us, O
Lord!
Be merciful, graciously
hear us, O Lord!
From all sin,
deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, etc.
From the scourge of
earthquake,
From plague, famine, and
war,
From lightning and
storms,
From a sudden and
unprovided death,
From eternal damnation,
Through the mystery of
Thy holy incarnation, etc.
Through Thy birth and Thy
life,
Through Thy Cross and
Passion,
Through Thy death and
burial,
Through the merits of Thy
blessed Mother Mary,
Through the merits of the
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
On the Day of Judgment,
deliver us, O Lord!
We sinners, beseech Thee
hear us.
That Thou spare us,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou pardon us, etc.
That Thou convert us to
true penance,
That Thou give and
preserve the fruits of the earth,
That Thou protect and
propagate Thy holy Church,
That Thou preserve peace
and concord among the nations,
That Thou give eternal
rest to the souls of the departed,
That Thou come to our aid
through the intercession of the Holy Helpers,
That through the
intercession of Saint George Thou preserve us in the Faith,
That through the
intercession of Saint Blase Thou confirm us in hope,
That through the
intercession of Saint Erasmus Thou enkindle in us Thy holy love,
That through the
intercession of Saint Pantaleon Thou give us charity for our neighbor,
That through the
intercession of Saint Vitus Thou teach us the value of our soul,
That through the
intercession of Saint Christophorus Thou preserve us from sin,
That through the
intercession of Saint Dionysius Thou give us tranquillity of conscience,
That through the
intercession of Saint Cyriacus Thou grant us resignation to Thy holy will,
That through the
intercession of Saint Eustachius Thou give us patience in adversity,
That through the
intercession of Saint Achatius Thou grant us a happy death,
That through the
intercession of Saint Giles Thou grant us a merciful judgment,
That through the
intercession of Saint Margaret Thou preserve us from Hell,
That through the
intercession of Saint Catherine Thou shorten our Purgatory,
That through the
intercession of Saint Barbara Thou receive us in Heaven,
That through the
intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant our prayers,
Lamb of God, who takest
away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest
away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O
Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest
away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Pray for us, ye
Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promise of Christ.
Let us Pray.
Almighty and eternal God,
Who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on Thy saints George, Blase,
Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius,
Achatius, Giles, Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by
miracles; we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke
their intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who didst
miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the confession of the Faith;
grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all
temptations against it, and protect us through their irttercession in all
dangers of soul and body, so that we may serve Thee in purity of heart and
chastity of body. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20091128072334/http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/define95.htm
Pfarrirche
St. Margaretha in Bruttig, Gemälde 18. Jahrhundert, Die 14 Nothelfer (darunter
St. Margaretha)
Vierzehn heilige
Nothelfer
Gedenktag katholisch: 8. August
Hochfest in der Basilika Vierzehnheiligen und gebotener Gedenktag in Bamberg: Samstag
nach dem 3. Sonntag nach Ostern
Die vierzehn heiligen Nothelfer wurden schon im 9. Jahrhundert
angerufen und verehrt. In ihren Legenden baten Dionysius wie
auch Blasius, Dorothea und
andere vor ihrem Tod um die Gnade der Fürbitte und erhielten die Verheißung,
bei Anrufung hilfreich vermitteln zu dürfen.
Die Heiligenverehrung gewann dann vor allem im von der
Pest bedrohten 13./14. Jahrhundert stark an Bedeutung. Den
einzelnen Heiligen wurden Aufgabenbereiche zugewiesen. So wird bis heute Florian,
der als Märtyrer ertränkt wurde, angerufen bei Feuersbrunst, doch er wurde auch
zum Patron der Bierbrauer, Fassbinder und Schornsteinfeger. Die Menschliche
Ohnmacht gegen die Schicksalsschläge und Katastrophen der Zeit wurde mit Hilfe
der Nothelfer bekämpft. In der Not einen Heiligen anrufen half im Verständnis
des Volkes viel, in der Not viele Heilige anrufen half mehr.
1377 ordnete der Regensburger Bischof
Konrad von Haimburg die Verehrung der Heiligen Barbara an,
und zwar zugleich mit der Heiligen Katharina und
der Heiligen Margareta.
Der Volksmund schmiedete sich dazu den Merkvers: St. Margaretha mit dem
Wurm, St. Barbara mit dem Turm, St. Katharina mit dem Radl, das sind die
heiligen drei Madl. Regensburg wurde auch Ausgangspunkt für den sich
verbreitenden Nothelferkult. Das Nothelferfenster in der südlichen Chorschräge
des Regensburger Domes dürfte eine der frühesten Darstellungen dieses Themas
überhaupt sein. Auch in Schlesien war die Anrufung der Nothelfer sehr verbreitet,
mit den Flüchtlingen nach dem 2. Weltkrieg kam der Brauch erneut nach
Deutschland.
Durch eine Vision wurde
der Kult um die vierzehn Nothelfer volkstümlich: Der Legende nach sind dem
Klosterschäfer Hermann Leicht von der Zisterzienserabtei
Langheim - dem heutigen Klosterlangheim -
in Oberfranken 1445 und 1446 vierzehn Gestalten erschienen, die sich
als vierzehn Nothelfer zu erkennen gaben und die Errichtung einer
Kapelle am Ort ihrer Erscheinung forderten, die von dem Kloster alsbald
errichtet und aufgrund der vielen Wallfahrer mehrfach
vergrößert. 1772 wurde dann die von Balthasar Neumann entworfene, noch heute
vielbesuchte Wallfahrtskirche Vierzehnheiligen.
endgültig fertiggestellt. Der Kult verbreitet sich über Würzburg und Bamberg und
über den gesamten deutschen Sprachraum bis nach Italien, Schweden und Ungarn.
Über 800 Kirchen wurden den Vierzehnheiligen geweiht.
In der Regel gelten als die vierzehn Nothelfer:
• Achatius, angerufen gegen Todesangst und Zweifel
• Ägidius, angerufen zur Ablegung einer guten Beichte
• Barbara, Patronin der Sterbenden
• Blasius, angerufen gegen Halsleiden
• Christophorus, angerufen gegen unvorbereiteten Tod
• Cyriacus, angerufen gegen Anfechtung in der Todesstunde
• Dionysius, angerufen gegen Kopfschmerzen
• Erasmus, angerufen gegen Leibschmerzen
• Eustachius, angerufen in allen schwierigen Lebenslagen
• Georg, angerufen gegen Seuchen der Haustiere
• Katharina, angerufen gegen Leiden der Zunge und schwere Sprache
• Margareta, Patronin der Gebärenden
• Pantaleon, Patron der Ärzte
• Vitus
(Veit), angerufen gegen Epilepsie
Merkvers auf einer Gebetstafel aus der Barockeit in Memmingen:
S. Blasius - bringt wegen Halsweh Fürbitt dar
S. Georgius - ist anzurufen in Kriegs-Gefahr
S. Erasimus - für Darm und Leibesschmerzen
S. Vitus - ein großer Freund der Kinder-Herzen
S. Pantaleon - Patron der Ärzten, bei Gott mächtig
S. Christoph - für Hagl und Wetter beschützt er kräftig
S. Dionysus - in Hauptweh wird gerufen an
S. Cyriacus - von Teufel Beseßnen helfen kann
S. Achatius - dem christlichen Kriegsvolk hilft er behend
S. Eustachius - Betrübniß in der Ehe abwendt
S. Ägidius - hilft zu Erkenntniß heimlicher Sünd
S. Margaretha - wo Teufelslist ein Zugang findt
S. Katharina - wenn Weisheit im Studiren mangelt
S. Barbara -
im Tod die Sackrament erlangt
Je nach örtlichen
Patronaten findet sich anstelle von Erasmus Nikolaus,
statt Dionysius Papst Sixtus
II. oder in der Funktion des Ägidius Leonhard.
Als Nothelfer bezeichnet und zu diesen hinzugerechnet werden gelegentlich auch
die vier
heiligen Marschälle.
Im
Kunstverlag Josef Fink erschien von Rosel Termolen und Dominik Lutz in
prächtiger Ausstattung: Nothelfer
- Patrone in allen Lebenslagen über rund 2500 Stätten weltweit , an
denen die Vierzehnergruppe Verehrung genießt und über die Rolle dieser Heiligen
im Brauchtum und in den Wetterregeln wie in der Kunst.
14 Nothelfer-Darstellung Barock Eitensheim Landkreis Eichstätt, Pfarrkirche
Voir aussi : https://fr.aleteia.org/2019/07/21/connaissez-vous-les-auxiliateurs-cette-ligue-de-super-saints/
