Saint Barbara is known as the patron saint of engineers, people who work with explosives, and miners. Her name is sometimes associated with violent storms, which include thunder and lightning. Barbara became a martyr around the year 306. Saint Barbara’s story is a inspirational one, which tells of how she brought God into her life to help deal with rage, anger, and impossible situations.
Saint Barbara’s father was named Dioscorus, and he was an extremely wealthy man. Dioscorus had a gigantic tower constructed on his property, and made Barbara stay up there and live alone. He did this because he believed his daughter to be far to beautiful for a common man, and also becaue he was not comfortable with his daughter’s flourishing faith in God.
One day, Dioscorus came to the realization that it would be a good diea to have a bath house built for Barbara. He hired workers to come and build the house for him, and after getting the whole thing set up he left on a long journey. Barbara grew curious of what could be going on down below her, and came down one day to see what was going on. She saw the men were making her a bathhouse, and was pleased. She proceeded to see how it looked at that point of the construction. She saw that the men had only put in two windows, which she thought was not enough to fully light it up.
Barbara told the workers that she wanted them to add one more window to the bathhouse, for lighting purposes. They told her that her father gave them strict instructions to do exactly as he said. However, Barbara was persistent and told the men that she would take full responsibility for the new window. So the men agreed and began to work. While this was happening, Barbara chose to carve a cross into the marble wall of the bathhouse.
When Barbara’s father returned from his trip, he was extremely angry that the workers had not followed his instructions. He began to confront the workers, and they informed him that Barbara had requested the bathhouse be built this way. She notified her father that she had faith in Christ, and that the three windows she had built stood for the Trinity and the guidance it provided to her life.
Dioscorus was outraged at his daughter, and realized his plans to keep her hidden for her entire life were failing. She had finalized her belief in God to him, and he countered that by turning her over to the Roman leaders. He told them to torture her because of her beliefs. Barbara was then beaten by Roman soldiers, and was injured badly in the beating. The soldiers then poured vinegar all over her injuries, and threw her into a dark, wet cell. Barbara prayed to God for strength and perseverance, and knew that her faith could carry her through the tough times she was enduring.
When Barbara awoke, she had no more wounds. They had all been healed overnight.
Another women being held captive for her beliefs by the Romans, named Julianna, saw what had happened overnight to Barbara. Julianna had begun to lose faith, but seeing how Barbara’s prayers were answered made her beliefs strong once again.
A few days later, both Barbara and Julianna were taken out of their cells and brought to face the Roman leaders. The leaders told them they could have their freedom, if they would deny their faith in God. Both women were strong in their faith, and would not deny their beliefs. They were sentenced to be beheaded. Dioscorus was chosen to kill his own daughter, and an executioner was chosen for Julianna. They both fulfilled their duties and beheaded the women. Almost immediately following their beheading, a gigantic storm broke loose, full of lightning and thunder. Two lightning bolts descended from the sky and struck Dioscorus and the executioner and instantly killed them. Saint Barbara may have died, but she remained true to her faith, showed outstanding courage, and died a martyr.
If you are interested in other patron saints, please visit The Catholic Gift Shop where you can find patron saint medals for all saints.
Do you think patron saints are still relied on today, as they were in the past? We are ALWAYS interested in hearing about your devotion to your favorite patron saint, or your parish church, named after a Saint. Please tell us your favorite patron saint story below.