(c.456-545) Saint Medard was born to nobility in what is now France. He became a priest at 33 years old and was reluctantly made bishop around age 74. He was revered during his life and venerated after his death, becoming the hero of many legends. One of the most well-known legends of his childhood was that Medard was sheltered from a storm by a hovering eagle. This led to his patronage of good weather and people who work the fields. He was often depicted as laughing with his mouth wide open, leading to his patronage of toothaches and the mentally ill.

Saint Medard’s intercession is sought in many places affected by tornadoes, hurricanes, and adverse weather. In the following prayer, the “storm” is taken in both the literal and the poetic senses. How have you learned to weather storms without turning to unhealthy comforts? What storm survival skills do you still need to develop?

“Saint Medard, patron saint for protection against bad storms, we ask you to intercede for us during the storms of our lives as well as the storms in nature. Loving God…You calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee; deliver us from the storms that are raging around us now. Amen” (Traditional Prayer to Saint Medard).

Reflection by Brad Farmer