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Saint Barbara

Virgin and Martyr.

From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Barbara”

Patronages on this page:

Patronages

According to Catholic tradition, as recorded in the sources cited for each patronage:

Architects

Sources: 1

Recorded as patron of architects in:

Armourers

Sources: 1

Recorded as patron of armourers in:

Also recorded as patron:

Artillerymen

Sources: 2

The legend that her father was struck by lightning caused her, probably, to be regarded by the common people as the patron saint in time of danger from thunder-storms and fire, and later by analogy, as the protector of artillerymen and miners.

Recorded as patron of artillerymen in:

Death

Sources: 1

himself to the intercession of St. Barbara, who is particularly invoked in the northern kingdoms, for the grace of a happy death and the benefit of receiving the last sacraments.

Recorded as patron of death in:

Also recorded as patron:

Fire

Sources: 1

The legend that her father was struck by lightning caused her, probably, to be regarded by the common people as the patron saint in time of danger from thunder-storms and fire, and later by analogy, as the protector of artillerymen and miners.

Recorded as patron of fire in:

Firework makers

Sources: 1

Recorded as patron of firework makers in:

Guastalla

Sources: 1

Recorded as patron of Guastalla in:

Also recorded as patron:

Mantua

Sources: 1

Recorded as patron of Mantua in:

Also recorded as patron:

Miners

Sources: 1

The legend that her father was struck by lightning caused her, probably, to be regarded by the common people as the patron saint in time of danger from thunder-storms and fire, and later by analogy, as the protector of artillerymen and miners.

Recorded as patron of miners in:

Also recorded as patron:

Thunder-storms

Sources: 1

The legend that her father was struck by lightning caused her, probably, to be regarded by the common people as the patron saint in time of danger from thunder-storms and fire, and later by analogy, as the protector of artillerymen and miners.

Recorded as patron of thunder-storms in:

Feast day

  • December 4 · Traditional date, Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Barbara”

There is no reference to St. Barbara contained in the authentic early historical authorities for Christian antiquity, neither does her name appear in the original recension of St. Jerome's martyrology.

Veneration of the saint was common, however, from the seventh century.

At about this date there were in existence legendary Acts of her martyrdom which were inserted in the collection of Symeon Metaphrastes and were used as well by the authors (Ado, Usuard, etc.)

of the enlarged martyrologies composed during the ninth century in Western Europe.

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Works of art

Barbara, Catherine, George, by Bruno di Giovanni
Barbara, Catherine, George · Bruno di Giovanni · 1310 · Sailko, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Barbara, by Lluís Borrassà
Santa Barbara · Lluís Borrassà · 1380 · Public domain
Enthroned Virgin and Child, with Saints Paul, Peter, Clare of Assisi, Mary Magdalene, Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, Agnes, Cecilia, Margaret of Antioch, and George, by Master of Saint Veronica
Enthroned Virgin and Child, with Saints Paul, Peter, Clare of Assisi, Mary Magdalene, Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, Agnes, Cecilia, Margaret of Antioch, and George · Master of Saint Veronica · Public domain