St. Barbara

Patron Saint of Firemen and Architects

St. Barbara was a secret follower of Christianity and a martyr for the faith in the third century. Her father, Dioscorus, was a wealthy pagan who locked her in a tower to keep her protected from the outside world. After she revealed to her father that she was a Christian, he wanted to kill her. She was dragged before prefect of the province, and was tortured in a very cruel manner. The following morning, she emerged completely healed of her wounds. Finally, once other means of torture had failed, Dioscorus beheaded her and was then struck by lightning. St. Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, and is invoked against sudden death as well as against lightning and fire.

Catholic Apostolate Center Blog Post on St. Barbara

• The 14 Holy Helpers: Turning to the Saints During the Coronavirus

Pilgrimage Site in the United States

• Old Mission Santa Barbara — Santa Barbara, CA