Monthly Archives: April 2010

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Sterility / Casilda of Toledo, d. 1050, Feast Day: April 9

The Muslim daughter of the Emir of Toledo, Casilda had great compassion for Christian prisoners, frequently sneaking them food. When she fell ill with a uterine hemorrhage, she made a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Saint Vincent Briviseca in Burgos. She became a Christian after being healed and lived out her life as a hermit near that sanctuary.

Other patronages: Burgos (Spain), Toledo (Spain)

Invoked: against bad luck, uterine hemorrhage

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Teachers / John Baptist de La Salle, 1651–1719,
Feast Day: April 7

Giving up a life of ease as canon of Rheims, John Baptist devoted his life to the education of the poor. He donated his personal fortune to create a school to educate teachers. He was the founder of the Christian Brothers, an order devoted to the education of boys. There was much animosity toward his revolutionary teaching methods; he instituted the system of eight grades for primary school that we use today.

Other patronages: school principals

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Builders / Vincent Ferrer, 1350–1419,  Feast Day: April 5

A Dominican priest from Valencia, Spain, Vincent Ferrer was a healer and a highly charismatic preacher who generated crowds in the tens of thousands. Demoralized by the Great Schism in the Church, he dreamed that Saints Francis and Dominic implored him to go on apostolic missions. He traveled through Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, England, Scotland, and Ireland. He is known as patron of builders for his work in strengthening and building up the Church.

Other patronages: fields, vineyards; innkeepers, lead casters, pavement workers, plumbers, roofers, straw-hat makers, tile makers

Invoked: against epilepsy, headaches, drought, earthquakes, lightning strikes

The above patron saints are excerpted from the book: “Patron Saints:
A Feast of Holy Cards” by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua

All images are from the holy card collection of Father Eugene Carrella