Description

Oil Dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers

14 Holy Helpers a group of saints invoked with special confidence. Ultimately, they have proven themselves efficacious helpers in adversity and difficulties. Also, known and venerated under the name Fourteen Holy Helpers. Though each has a separate feast or memorial day. The group collectively venerated on 8 August. However, this feast was dropped and suppressed in the 1969 reform of the calendar.

14 Holy Helpers are invoked as a group because of the Black Plague. Which devastated Europe from 1346 to 1349. Among its symptoms were the tongue turning black, a parched throat, violent headache, fever, and boils on the abdomen. Also, it attacked without warning, robbed its victims of reason, and killed within a few hours. Consequently, many died without the last Sacraments.

Invocation of the Holy Helpers

Fourteen Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in Heaven; because thou persevered till death thou gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.

Fourteen Holy Helpers, select friends of God, I honor thee as mighty intercessors.  Also, I come with filial confidence to thee in my needs, for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena. Help me by thy intercession to placate God’s wrath. I have provoked Him by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Also, I ask you to obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join thee in Heaven, there to praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His Saints. Amen.

The Fourteen Holy Helpers are;

Saints Acacius, Barbara, Blaise, and Christopher;                                Also, Sts Cyriacus, Catherine of Alexandria, and Denis;                          And, Sts  Erasmus of Formiae, Eustace, George and Giles;                    Also, Sts Margaret of Antioch, Pantaleon, and Vitus.

Their patronage

Saint Christopher and St Giles were invoked against the plague itself. Saint Denis was prayed to for relief from headache. St Blaise for ills of the throat. Saint Elmo, for abdominal maladies. St Barbara for fever, and Saint Vitus against epilepsy. Saint Pantaleon was the patron of physicians. St Cyriacus invoked against temptation on the deathbed. And Saints Christopher, Barbara, and Catherine for protection against a sudden and unprovided-for death. Saint Giles was prayed to for a good confession, and Saint Eustace as healer of family troubles. Also, domestic animals were attacked by the plague, and so Saints George, Elmo, Pantaleon, and Vitus were invoked for their protection. And Saint Margaret of Antioch is the patron of safe childbirth.