Saints March 15-March 21

We’re graced by the presence of one of the world’s most reknowned saints this week, St. Patrick, for whom “we’re all Irish” on one day a year.  I wish there were days when we were all Greek, all ancient Romans, or all Dutch!

Some fashion-forward, some good classics, and some not-quite-ready-for-revival from the saints’ coffers this week.  Which are which?  That’s ultimately up to you.

March 15

Louise- From the Germanic Ludwig, hlud “fame” and wig “warrior.”  Patroness of social workers, St. Louise de Marillac was a disciple of St. Vincent de Paul.  She established the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in her home, and helped to place her nuns in hospitals and orphanages throughout France.  While Louise and Eloise get more attention these days in the first name slot, Louise is a venerable classic along the lines of Alice and Charlotte.  Let’s not foresake her!

March 16

Eusebia- Greek, “pious.”  Seventh century Benedectine who became a nun at the age of twelve.  St. Gertrude’s great-granddaughter.  I’m on a one woman mission to bring back the “eu.”  They all have such great meanings, as eu in Greek means “good” or “well.”

March 17

Gertrude- From the Germanic ger “spear” and þruþ “strength”.  Patroness of gardeners and travellers, St. Gertrude of Nivelles visions helped guide herself and those around her.  She was the daughter of the Blessed Pepin of Landen and Blessed Itta of Ida.  Gertrude may not exactly be ready for a comeback herself, but with the tempting Trudy?  It may be hard to resist forever.  I have come across one child Trudy, but I bet that’s her name in full.

Patrick- From Ancient Roman Patricius, “nobleman.”  Neither Irish by birth nor by blood, St. Patrick was the son of Romans Calprunius and Conchessa, and born in Scotland in 385.  He was captured as a child and taken to Ireland to serve as a slave to tend sheep.  When he was twenty, he escaped and left for Britain, where he studied under the tutelage of the Bishop of Auxerre.  He eventually became Bishop himself, he was returned to Ireland to preach the gospel.  He spent the next forty years converting the Emerald Isle.  The shamrock was used in his teachings to demonstrate the trinity.

March 18

Cyril- From the Greek Kyrios, “lord.” Bishop of Jerusalem who fought against Arianism, or the belief that Christ was mortal and not the son of God.  He endured many battles until the Nicene Creed was officially approved at the Council of Constantinople in 381.

March 19

Adrian- Roman, “from Hadria.”  Disciple of St. Landoald, he was begging for alms for the poor in Maastricht, Netherlands, when he was assaulted and killed by a band of theives.

March 20

Alexandra- Greek, “defender of mankind.”  St. Alexandra and her companions Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphemia, Theodosia, and Derphuta, were were burned to death under Emperor Diocletian in Amisus in Paphlagonia.

Martin- Derives from Mars, the Roman god of war.  A scholar who wrote Formula Vitae Honestae and De Correctione Rusticorum, he travelled from the Danube to Palestine and eventually settled in Spain.  He became the bishop of Braga in Galicia, and helped to covert the king of the Visigoths there.

March 21

Enda- Irish, “bird-like.” One of the founders of Irish monasticism, he became a monk only after being a great leader in battle.  He had renounced that life when his fiancee died, and went on to found the monastery of Killeaney on the Island of Aran.  Despite its feminine meaning and sound, this name is all boy.  In these gender bending times of nomenclature, some of you might want to change that.

St. Gertrude of Nivelles by James C. Christensen