February 23, 2025
Dear Parish Family:
So we have been having a real winter! All the snow started me thinking about who the patron saint of snow is. While there is not one specific patron saint, there are quite a few saints that are associated with snow.
Our Lady of the Snows • Feast Day: August 5
During the 4th Century, a Roman aristocrat and his wife without heirs, made a vow to donate their possessions in honor of the Virgin Mary. They prayed that she might show them what to do. On August 5, at the height of the summer, snow fell during the night on the summit of one of the hills in the city. The couple took it as a sign to build a church in honor of Mary on the very spot which was covered with snow. This church is known as the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. We visited this Basilica last week in Rome. The dedication of the Basilica is celebrated each year on August 5. On that day, a custom is kept each year to commemorate the miraculous snowfall. At the conclusion of Mass, a shower of white rose petals are dropped from the ceiling of the church.
Saint Eulalia of Merida • Feast Day: December 10
Eulalia was a devout Christian in Spain during the Roman persecution of the Christians. In 304, when Eulalia was about 13, her mother took her away to hide her in the countryside. All citizens were required to pledge faith to the Roman gods and she knew her daughter would rather die a martyr than agree to this. Eulalia escaped and ran back to the city. She professed her faith in Jesus Christ before the civil officials. They ordered that she be tortured. They stripped off her clothes and threw her dead body into the street. A miraculous snow fell from the sky to cover her.
Saint Bernard of Menthon • Feast Day: May 28
Bernard of Menthon was probably born to a wealthy family about 1020. He became a priest and was sent to serve in the snow covered Alps. Seeing the old pagan ways still prevailing among the people of the Alps, Bernard resolved to devote himself to their conversion. For 42 years he preached the Gospel in the Alps, bringing about many conversions. He built schools and churches, but is especially remembered for two Alpine shelters he built to aid lost travelers in the snowy mountains. He died in 1081. The Saint Bernard breed of dogs was named after him. Saint Bernard became patron and protector of skiers and snowboarders.
Saint Lydwine of Scheidam • Feast Day: April 14
Saint Lydwine was born at Schiedam, Holland, one of nine children of a poor family. Lydwine suffered a fall while ice skating in 1396. A friend collided with her and caused her to break a rib on the right side. After the injury, she became bedridden and suffered the rest of her life from various illnesses and diseases. Lydwine heroically accepted her plight as the will of God and offered up her sufferings for the sins of humanity. She experienced mystical gifts, including visions of heaven, hell, and purgatory. She died in 1433. She is the patron saint of ice skaters.
Grace and peace!
Father Neil Sullivan