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Who are the Fourteen Holy Helpers? -

The Fourteen Holy Helpers are a group of Roman Catholic saints whose intercession is believed to be particularly effective against certain illnesses.

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Roots -

The devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers dates back to 14th-century Rhineland (modern-day western Germany). It then spread across Europe.

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Roots -

With the bubonic plague (aka the Black Death) in full swing, the group of saints known as Nothelfer, (which means “helpers in need” in German), were invoked to offer relief from pain and other types of suffering.

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Who are these saints? -

Half the saints are considered historical figures, while the other half might have never existed. All the saints, except Giles, were martyrs.

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Indulgences -

In the 15th century, Pope Nicholas V declared that devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers came with special indulgences, i.e. reduced the amount of punishment for one's sins.

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Celebration -

The Auxiliary Saints were celebrated as a group by the Church on August 8, with the feast of the Holy Helpers.

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Feast day -

Since the 1969 reform of the Roman calendar, this is no longer the case. All saints, however, have their individual feast days. What's more, many churches and people continue their devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

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Honored in Bavaria -

An example includes the Basilika Vierzehnheiligen (the Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers) in Bavaria, Germany, which is dedicated to the saints.

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The Fourteen Holy Helpers -

Now, let’s take a look at each saint, and learn more about who they are and their patronages.

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St. Blaise -

St. Blaise, also known as St. Blase and Blasius, is usually invoked to treat throat afflictions.

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St. Blaise -

The Armenian bishop is also invoked for the protection of domestic animals. His feast day is on  February 3.

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St. George -

St. George was a martyred Roman soldier, also known for having slayed a dragon, and for being the patron of England and soldiers in general. People also pray to him for the health of domestic animals and against herpetic illnesses. St. George's feast day is April, 23.

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St. Erasmus -

St. Erasmus, also known as St. Elmo, was a bishop of Asia Minor who died a martyr in Italy circa 303 CE. He is mostly invoked for intestinal problems and abdominal pain in general.

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St. Erasmus -

He is also the patron saint of sailors, and the weather phenomenon known as “St. Elmo's fire” (a form of plasma that can set masts on fire) was named after him. St. Erasmus’ feast day is June 2.

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St. Pantaleon -

St. Pantaleon (or Panteleimon) was a doctor who was martyred after being nailed to a tree and decapitated. He is the patron saint of physicians and midwives. St. Pantaleon’s fest day is July 27.

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St. Vitus -

According to legend, St. Vitus, also known as St. Guy, was a Sicilian martyr. He is invoked to treat cholera, epilepsy, and animal bites, to name a few.

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St. Vitus -

St. Vitus is also the patron saint of dancers and actors. St. Vitus has his feast day on June 15.

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St. Christopher -

Legend has it that St. Christopher, also known as St. Christophorus, was martyred in Asia Minor circa 250 CE. He’s a patron of travelers and was invoked against the bubonic plague.

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St. Christopher -

St. Christopher’s feast day is July 25, but the date has been removed from the Church’s calendar because there was not enough historical evidence of his existence.

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St. Denis -

St. Denis, also known as St. Dionysius, was the first bishop of Paris. He is usually invoked to treat headaches, and to intervene against demonic possession. His feast day is October 9.

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St. Cyriacus -

St. Cyriacus, also known as St. Cyriac, was a deacon martyred in Rome in 303 CE. He offers protection against diseases of the eye and demonic possession. St Cyriacus’ feast day is August 8.

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St. Acathius -

St. Acathius (also Acacius and Agathius) was a martyred Roman centurion. He is usually invoked to treat headaches. The feast day for St. Acathius is May 8.

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St. Eustace -

St. Eustace, also known as St. Eustachius or Eustathius, was a Roman general who converted to Christianism and died a martyr.

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St. Eustace -

He’s a patron saint of hunters and is invoked to help with family conflicts, and against fire (both temporal and eternal). St. Eustace’s feast day is September 20.

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St. Giles -

St. Giles, also known as St. Aegidius, was a hermit and abbot. He’s the patron of breast-feeding mothers, people with disabilities, and beggars. St. Giles is invoked against the plague, epilepsy, mental illness, and nightmares. His feast day is September 1.

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St. Margaret of Antioch -

Legend has it that St. Margaret of Antioch was one of the saints who talked to Joan of Arc. She’s the patron for women in childbirth and is also invoked to treat backache. The feast day in celebration of St. Margaret of Antioch is held on July 20.

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St. Catherine of Alexandria -

St. Catherine (or Catharine) of Alexandria is said to have converted a group of philosophers to Christianity. A virgin and a martyr, St. Catherine is a patroness of preachers, philosophers, mechanics, maidens, and wheelwrights.

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St. Catherine of Alexandria -

St. Catherine of Alexandria is often invoked by students, lawyers, orators, and preachers. Her feast day is November 25.

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St. Barbara -

A virgin and martyr, St. Barbara is a patroness of miners, builders, and artillerymen. She is often invoked against fire, lightning, fever, and sudden death. St. Barbara’s feast day is December 4.

Sources: (Catholic Culture) (Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg) (New Liturgical Movement)

See also: Discover the strangest patron saints in history

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