Our Lady of Soufanieh

Today I wanted to write about Our Lady of Soufanieh, a Syrian Marian apparition. Our Lady of Soufanieh is a title given to an apparition of the Virgin Mary just outside of Damascus. The first sighting was in 1982 when pure olive oil sprouted from a Marian image, which held healing properties. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Soufanieh?wprov=sfla1

Saint Clare of Assisi

Today I wanted to write about Saint Clare of Assisi a patron Saint of eye health, televisions, needlework, goldsmithing, and ESP. Clare was one of the first followers of the religious order of the Franciscans. Her and aunt Bianca left her father’s house on palm Sunday 1212, cutting their hair and becoming nuns. Her main

Madonna Della Strada

Today I wanted to write about the Madonna Della Strada (Mary of the Good Road) an Italian Marian title who is the patron of the Jesuit Order. Madonna Della Strada originated as a 13th century fresco who was said to protect soldiers during war. At least three churches in the United States alone are named

Our Lady of La Naval de Manila

Today I wanted to write about Our Lady of La Naval de Manila, a Filipino Marian title who is the patroness of Asia. Our Lady of La Naval de Manila started as a venerable image of Our Lady of the Rosary which was made of hardwood and Ivory. The image was installed in Santo Domingo

Our Lady of Peace

With today being The Solemnity of Mary I wanted to write about Our Lady of Peace, a Marian title used to refer to the Virgin Mary in her aspect of being a mother and the patron of peace, the SS.CC, El Salvador, Maine, and Hawai’i. Our Lady of Peace was first recognized in France through

Saint Lucy

Today for the Holidays I wanted to write about Saint Lucy (Saint Lucia of Syracuse) a patron Saint of the blind, epidemics, throat infections, writers, and salesmen. Lucy was born into a rich Christian family. Her father died when she was only five years old leaving her and her mother with anyone to take care

Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn

Today I wanted to write about Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn (Aušros Vartų Dievo Motina), a Marian title originating from Lithuania. In 1702, Lithuania and Sweden were at war, during this time Sweden has captured Vilnius. One morning at the crack of dawn an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared knocking over a

Abaddon

Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Abaddon, an angel of death, destruction, and the abyss. Abaddon rules an army of locust. He is compared to Apollo and Satan. Although sometimes compared to Satan Abaddon is frequently considered a servant of God (Yahweh) who brings destruction on those who sin. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abaddon?wprov=sfla1

Our Lady of Piat

Today I wanted to write about Our Lady of Piat (Nuestra Señora de Visitacion de Piat) a Spanish-Filipino Catholic title of the Virgin Mary, as the patroness of Piat, Cagayan, and various Indigenous Micronesian peoples. The earliest veneration of Our Lady of Piat started in Macau, her image was eventually brought to Manila in 1604,

Coca

Today for Dragon month I wanted to write about Coca (Portugal), (along with related spirits Coco (Spain), Cuca (Brazil), Santa Coca (Monção), El Cucui (Central America), the Coco Man/skull man (Southwestern United States)) a dragon/turtle/alligator/skeletal spirit of celtiberian origin all of which are child-eating spirits in their local folktales. Coca is a shapeshifter commonly depicted

The Beast of Revelation

Today for Dragon month I wanted to write about The Beast of Revelation, specifically the third Beast, a draconic hell-hound mentioned in Revelation 17. There are three Beasts of Revelation, the Beast of the Sea (likely Leviathan), the Beast of the Earth (likely Behemoth), and the third Beast who is the mount of The Great

Our Lady of the Turning Eyes

Today I wanted to write about Our Lady of the Turning Eyes, a Marian apparition who appeared in Germany in 1643 and is associated with victory. During the 30 years war famine plagued central Germany leading groups of civilians to gather and pray the Rosary. On November 10th during one of these prayer circles a

Tetri Giorgi

With the full moon tonight, I wanted to write about Tetri Giorgi (White George), a Georgian spirit originally of the moon. Tetri Giorgi is a local aspect of Saint George in northern Georgia. Tetri Giorgi was featured on the Georgian coat of arms from 1918-1921 & 1991-2004. His feast day is August 14th which is

Geraint

Today, I wanted to write about Geraint, a Welsh folk saint, and Arthurian figure. He’s a son of Erbin and is married to Enide. He may be the same as Erec, another Arthurian Knight. His feast day is August 10th. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraint?wprov=sfla1

Maximón

Today, for Indigenous Heritage Month, I wanted to write about Maximón/San Simón, a Guatemalan folk saint of health, agriculture, marriage, business, and death. Maximón was an elder who reincarnated to protect his people. During the Spanish Conquest, an elder named Ri Laj Mam, upset by the evils of the Spaniards, encouraged his people to start

Saint Joan of Arc

Today for Pride Month I wanted to write about Saint Joan of Arc, the patron Saint of France; and, within Folk Catholicism, trans people. Joan was born into a peasant family in northeastern France. After receiving visions from Archangel Michael, and various saints, she went into battle to protect France from England. She fought for

Madonna of Montvergine

Today for Pride Month I wanted to write about Madonna of Montvergine, a Marian figure who is the patron of LGBTQ+ people and enslaved people. The Madonna of Montvergine has one surviving recorded legend where in 1256, she rescued an Italian same-sex male couple from death after homophobic persecution, lead to them almost being frozen

Theotokos of Buchyn

Today I wanted to write about Theotokos of Buchyn, an 18th century Marian figure who appeared in Volhynia and Pinsk. In 1706, a miraculous light radiated from an icon that was able to perform healing miracles. The main icon of Theotokos of Buchyn is kept at St. Nicholas Church in Buchyn. Her major presentation takes

Phanuel

Today I wanted to write about Phanuel, an angel mentioned in the book of Enoch as a judge of the dead, mostly recognized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church who scares away evil and is invoked during exorcisms. Phanuel is mentioned in the book of Enoch as the fourth Archangel replacing Uriel from the modern Anglican

Our Lady of Laus

Today I wanted to write about Our Lady of Laus, a French Marian apparition appearing in Saint-Étienne-le-Laus between 1664 and 1718. Benoîte Rencurel was a shepherdess born in 1647 who was first visited by an apparition of Saint Maurice telling her to move to a different area to avoid local guards taking her sheep. When

Our Lady of Akita

It’s been a while since I’ve written about any Marian figures so today I wanted to write about Our Lady of Akita, a Marian title relating to a Japanese apparition associated with healing people with hearing loss. Our Lady of Akita first appeared in Akita in 1972 when a statue of the Virgin Mary was

Saint Guinefort

For Lupercalia I wanted to write about three canine spirits starting with Saint Guinefort, a French folk saint with us the protector of children. Guinefort was the hound of a French knight who was assigned to watch the knights child. When the knight returned and found his child dead he blamed Guinefort and killed him,