Saint of the Tower

Today's saint might make you think of the fairy tale Rapunzel; however, she chose to live her life in prayer.

St. Barbara of Nicomedia

Feast Day:  December 4
Born: ??
Death: 267
Patron of Army field artillery
Pagan family
Turkey

Born to a pagan family, Barbara spent many of her years locked in a tower by her father.  He was concerned about her being influenced by the outside world.  It seems he could not take away her free will, as she secretly became a Christian and refused an offer of marriage that her father presented her.

Furthermore, her father decided to create a wall around her dwelling to allow her a place to bathe.  He left for an extended trip and left his workers to build the wall.  Barbara had the plans altered to include a third window so she could be reminded of the Trinity.  When her father returned he asked of the third window, so Barbara explained that she was a Christian and the importance of the three windows.  He was outraged and drew his sword to kill her; however, she prayed and an opening in the wall appeared and allowed her to escape.  Barbara fled to a field but he father found her with the assistance of a shepherd.

Her father immediately took her to the authorities where she was tortured.  She continued to hold firm to her faith.  She was thrown into a cell and tortured for several days.  Each night her cell would fill with light and the next morning her wounds would be healed.  Finally, she was condemned to death and her father would be the one to behead her.  On his way home from this deed, he was struck by lightning and killed.

Another Christian obtained her body for burial.  Her grave would become a place of miracles.  St. Barbara is considered one of the Fourteen Helpers.  Her association with the lightning that killed her father has caused her to be invoked against lightning and fire; by association with explosions, she is also the patron of artillery and mining.

This may seem like a pretty fanciful story; however, I just cannot help but believe as the stories of her life have been passed down for centuries with little variation.  It seems to me that the faith of this young maiden was so strong and her prayers so pure that she was able to not put limits on what God could do for her.

St. Barbara, pray for us to have even a portion of your faith.!