The Most Obscure and Bizarre Catholic Patron Saints
As a child, my family had a book titled 'A Children’s Book of Catholic Saints.' The book illustrated and written for kids included both well-known saints and many others I had never heard of. One of my favorites was St. Cathcartus, a 12th or 13th-century Italian man who dreamed of becoming a Catholic priest despite facing significant intellectual challenges.
St. Cathcartus: A Man of Faith Beyond His Intellect
Cathcartus was fascinated by the idea of becoming a priest but was denied admission to a minor seminary. He then decided to become a monk and visit the local monastery, where he was again denied. Eventually, the abbot took pity on him and hired him as a doorkeeper and handyman, allowing him to wear the habit of the monks. Though he needed a lot of help with even the simplest tasks, his faith was immense. He would sometimes levitate during prayers. To ensure his safety, a monk carved a wooden hook and installed it in the chapel. Cathcartus would hook his belt to the hook before praying, and he remained at the monastery for the rest of his life, passing away at around 40 years old.
St. Wilgefortis: Patroness of Facial Hair
Another fascinating saint is St. Wilgefortis, known as the patroness of facial hair. She is said to be one of the more fictional saints, with her story likely forming accidentally from artistic renderings of the crucifixion. Some sources suggest that her story began in the 11th to 13th centuries, where Jesus was depicted with more feminine or androgynous features, or with a dress style that appeared more feminine to Western eyes.
According to the story, Wilgefortis was a teenage girl from a noble or wealthy family who was promised in marriage to a non-Christian king or noble, presumably in Andalusia and often identified as Muslim due to the crusade era. She took a vow of virginity and prayed for repulsion to the marriage. In response to her prayers, she grew a beard, which ended the engagement. Infuriated, her father or fiancé had her crucified.
Finding Sympathy in the Face of the Unusual
Both St. Cathcartus and St. Wilgefortis stand as interesting examples of the eccentric and sometimes bizarre world of Catholic saints. These saints highlight the human struggle, often seen as profound and insightful, even when the circumstances of their lives or their stories might seem extraordinary.
These stories and many others can offer lessons and inspiration to modern readers. The stories of these obscure saints serve as a reminder of the incredible diversity within the Catholic Church and its rich history. From St. Cathcartus, we see the power of faith and perseverance, even in the face of significant obstacles. And with St. Wilgefortis, we learn about the accidents of history and the way that stories can evolve over time to accommodate different religious and cultural contexts.
Conclusion
The Catholic Church is a vast and diverse institution with a rich history dating back centuries. Within its fold are countless saints, some of whom are well-known due to their significance, while others, like St. Cathcartus and St. Wilgefortis, remain lesser-known but no less fascinating. These obscure and bizarre saints offer a glimpse into the human experiences and the incredible stories that make up the tapestry of Christian history.
By exploring the stories of these lesser-known saints, we can gain a deeper understanding of the rich and complex history of the Catholic Church, as well as the enduring human spirit that persists even in the face of adversity.