14 Holy Helpers …
The Fourteen Holy Helpers is a title given to the fourteen saints of our church. They are regarded as ancient saints, some of whom died as early as the year 95. There was a devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers as early 1348 at an altar in St. Peter’s Church in Munich, Germany. Because they are the patron saints against a variety of diseases, they were called upon for help during the Black Plague epidemic in Europe from 1346 to 1349. The Fourteen Holy Helpers usually appear in pictures with the Blessed Virgin who is also known as Queen of Martyrs and Queen of All Saints.
The Legend
According to the Legend, in the year 1445, a young shepherd, Herman Leicht, was given the opportunity to see a vision of a young child who shone like a light. When he tried to approach it, the child disappeared. he saw the child again but again it vanished. On June 28, 1446, the child again appeared but this time was surrounded by fourteen other children, all in a circle of light like a halo. Herman asked who the child was and what he wanted. The child responded by saying, “We are the Fourteen Holy Helpers and wish a chapel built here for us. Serve us and we will serve you.”
After that time, people began to believe the young boy, prayers were offered and miracles occurred. The next year a chapel was built, then a church, and then a basilica in Langheim, Frankenthal, which is not a famous place of pilgrimage in Bavaria, Southern Germany. There are many churches devoted to the Fourteen Holy Helpers in Italy, Austria, Hungary and other countries in Europe. But, our Parish in Gardenville is the only active parish in the United States devoted to the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
An Explanation of the Martyrs
During the early years of the Christian Church, many people did not believe in Jesus. Some of these people were in positions of over over the lives of others. Because these people, such as the Emperor Diocletian, did not believe in Jesus, they wanted all Christians to say that Jesus was not really the Son of God. The early martyrs refused to say they did not believe in Jesus, and so these were put to death. These Christians were martyrs by giving their lives for the love of Christ.
The word Martyr comes from the Greek language. It means, “witness”. A person may be a martyr (witness) to faith by living according to the word of God, to show how people can believe in Jesus and live happily. People can be a martyr (witness) by telling others about Jesus and His ministry of love and service. We can be martyrs (witnesses) by being of service to others with kindness, sharing, and love. And, we can be martyrs by our gratitude for the goodness and mercy of Jesus in our lives.
