Day 48: Oh when the saints

Silver Dream Machine sent me this intriguing snippet and as it’s Sunday I think it is quite appropriate. 

There is a truth that a ‘bad time’ for someone is often a ‘good time’ for someone else. Take the almost unheard-of St Corona who has now shot to fame, being brought in from the cold of the least remembered saints of ancient times and now placed at the centre of the legions of the great and the good. In the popular press and social media her name is now invoked by some as the patron saint of pandemics, or rather more accurately, the patron saint of all who resist pandemics.. 

The story goes that a young sixteen‑year-old girl, Corona, comforted a Roman soldier, Victor, who was martyred for his faith around 160-70 BC in the Roman province of Syria. The two are often linked together romantically as man and wife. The story of St Corona’s death is particularly gruesome. She is said to have been tied to two bent palm trees and then torn apart as the trunks were released. This unfortunate end equates into her being the patron saint of lumberjacks. Though how many lumberjacks tie themselves to 2 trees to be ripped apart I really don’t know! 

A later tale involves her helping a treasure hunter, a worthy cause which has stuck to her portfolio of good deeds. As the patron saint of treasure hunters, current medical researchers and epidemiologists might do well to ask for a certain prayerful favour or two.

In Charlemagne’s ancient Cathedral in the German city of Aachen, a major exhibition of gold craftsmanship is being planned for this summer and the unexpected focal point is now undoubtedly going to be the little-seen Shrine of St Corona, which houses her remains. If the current lockdown is eased on May 14th, the Feast Day of St Corona, then we will all know to whom to express our gratitude!

Comments

  1. SarahMay 3, 2020 at 7:13 AM

    I feel sorry for St Edmund (of Bury St Edmunds fame). Corona would have done well to invoke the patron saint of torture victims while being torn apart by trees, but instead has now nicked his other patronage (pandemics and plague victims). Am keeping a weather eye on tales of wolves, another of Edmund’s protectees. Saints really do have the most brilliantly eclectic collection of responsibilities. I wonder what yours would be?! Xxx

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