Saint Florian von Lorch is the Patron Saint of
firefighters, and those in danger of flood and drowning.
Captain Florian was the head of an elite corps of
Roman firefighters, and later became a General in the Roman army. Legend has it he saved an entire village from flames with
a single bucket of water. When told to renounce his Christian faith, he refused. He was sentenced to die at the stake. Florian
asked that his fire be build high so his soul could ascend to heaven in the smoke. Instead, he was twice scourged, half-flayed
alive, set on fire, and finally thrown into the river Enns with a millstone around his neck and drowned.
Thus, he became protector of those who fight the
peril of fire with water. St. Florian is also patron of brewers and soap makers.
Many miracles of healing are attributed to his intercession
and he is invoked as a powerful protector in danger from fire or water. Pray to St. Florian not only for deliverance from
fire and flood, but also for a good harvest, and success in all struggles.
Saint Florian's Feast Day is observed on May
4.
