The feast day of St. Barbara is celebrated on December 4. She is one of the Holy Helpers who are known for the healing power of prayer. She is invoked to prevent sudden death.
St. Barbara was a virgin and a martyr. She lived in Sicily in the third century. Her father was a wealthy Syrian. When his wife died he devoted himself to his only daughter. Because Barbara was so beautiful, her father (Dioscorus) decided he needed to protect her from strangers and built her a tower. She was educated by pagan tutors.
From the tower, Barbara had a wonderful view of the meadows, hills and river. She developed a spirituality which focused on the beauty of creation by our creator. She also decided to devote herself to God and to remain a virgin. Because of her beauty she had many suitors, but she refused to marry.
Barbara’s father wanted her to marry, so he decided to let her come down from the tower and socialize. Barbara became friends with some Christians. While her father was away she was baptized after being instructed in the faith by a priest.
At the time, a bathhouse was being built on their property. It had two windows. Barbara requested a third window to create a trinity of light. Barbara traced the sign of the cross on one of the walls and it left an imprint on the marble. The water in the bathhouse became known for its healing power.
When her father returned from his traveling, he was furious to learn Barbara had converted to Christianity. He became enraged and almost struck her with a sword. Barbara fled into the hills and hid in a cave. She was eventually found and severely beaten. She was then turned over to the city prefect. Barbara was then tortured and had her wounds rubbed with a hair cloth. During the night, after praying for relief, Jesus appeared to her and healed them. The next day she was beaten again. A woman in the crown named Juliana denounced the torturers and she was also seized and tortured.
Barbara and Juliana were both tortured and paraded through town naked. An angel appeared after hearing Barbara’s prayers and gave them splendid robes. Both Barbara and Juliana were beheaded. St. Barbara was beheaded by her own father. Immediately, after the execution, he was struck by lightning.
The relics of St. Barbara were moved in the sixth century to Constantinople. Six hundred years later they were moved to Kiev.
St. Barbara is known for protecting against sudden death.
“Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received…but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.”
Quote of St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day Oct. 4
December is the Month of the Divine Infancy