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UC Picture Gallery
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The
Fourteen Holy Helpers |
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Jointly commemorated on the 8th of August, the fourteen Holy
Helpers, also known as the Fourteen Auxiliary Saints or the
Nothelfer ('helpers in need' in German), are a group of Roman
Catholic saints venerated primarily in Germany and other parts
of Europe. These saints were believed to be powerful intercessors
in times of need, especially during times of plagues, epidemics,
and other calamities. Their devotion emerged during the late
Middle Ages and gained popularity during times of pestilence
and suffering, particularly during the Black Plague from 1346
to 1349. Devotees would invoke the intercession of these saints
individually or collectively during times of illness, danger,
or hardship. They were believed to have the power to protect
people from various afflictions and adversities. The devotion
to the Fourteen Holy Helpers has persisted in some regions,
particularly in Germany, where they are still venerated in
some churches and communities, though they are not widely
recognised in all parts of the Catholic Church today. Their
collective cultus was suppressed in 1969.
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| Name |
Patronage |
Invocation
Reasons |
| St
Achatius |
Knight,
martyr |
Hunters;
against death agony |
| St
Barbara |
Virgin,
martyr |
Against
fever, fire, lightning, sudden death |
| St
Blase |
Bishop,
martyr |
Against
throat problems |
| St
Catherine |
Virgin,
martyr |
Protection
of philosophers, students; against tongue problems, sudden
death |
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St
Christopher |
Martyr |
Against
plague and death |
| St
Cyriacus |
Deacon,
martyr |
Against
temptations, especially at death; demoniac possession |
| St
Dionysius |
Bishop,
martyr |
Protection of travellers in difficulty; against headache,
rabies |
| St
Erasmus |
Bishop,
martyr |
Against
abdominal problems; protection of domestic animals |
| St
Eustachius |
Knight,
martyr |
Protection
of hunters; against family troubles |
| St
George |
Knight,
martyr |
Protection
of soldiers, domestic animals |
| St
Giles |
Hermit,
Abbott |
Making
a good confession |
| St
Margaret |
Virgin,
martyr |
Protection
of pregnant women; against possession |
| St
Pantaleon |
Physician,
Martyr |
Protection
of physicians domestic animals; against tuberculosis |
| St
Vitus |
Martyr |
Against
epilepsy, insanity, sterility; protection of domestic animals |
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Sources:
1. Rosemary Ellen Guiley. The Encyclopedia of Saints.
New York: Facts On File, 2001.
2. Bernard L. Marthaler, exec. ed. New Catholic Encyclopedia,
2nd edn, vol. 5. Detroit: Thomson/Gale; Washington D.C.: The
Catholic University of America, 2003.
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