Battle Saints

The Saints

My favorite bracelet is The Battle Saint™ bracelet. I came across it a few years ago while watching a news segment. I do not benefit in any way by sales of this beautiful item. I just love the product, and the philosophy of the family who started this company. I originally purchaed it for the love of our military and in prayer for the trials our wounded face. Over time, the bracelet has become a token of strength in our family, passed from person to person during a time of challenge. I passed it to my daughter when she left for college. She passed it back to me when my health challenge progressed. The bracelet was uniquely developed to incorporate specific saints relevant to our military, and the love continues.. $1 from every bracelet goes to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Below is information on the saints included on the bracelet.

St Barbara – included on all bracelets

St Barbara is known as the patron saint of artillerymen, military engineers and those who work with explosives.  She lived in the 4th century and was raised as a heathen.  Forced into solitude by her father, Dioscorus, she turned to Christianity.  An infuriated Dioscorus condemned her and she was severely punished.  She was ultimately beheaded by Dioscorus himself, after which he was struck and killed by lightening.

Padre Pio – included on large bracelets

St Pio of Pietrelcina was known as a symbol of hope to people in the aftermath of WW1.  He was born in Pietrelcina, Italy, on May 25, 1887 and died September 23, 1968 at the age of 81.  He is also known as Saint Padre Pio.  Even though he lived into his 80’s, he was afflicted by several illnesses which began in childhood.  Despite his health issues, he was drafted into the army but was eventually released due to his poor health.  He was known for stigmata – wounds and bleeding similar to those experienced by Jesus at the crucifixion.

St Michael, the Archangel – included on all bracelets

St Michael the Archangel is known as the patron saint of the Armed Forces especially fighter pilots and paratroopers.  He is known as the angel warrior leading the forces of Heaven against Satan.  He is often shown slaying a dragon.  He is also known as the protector of the Jewish people.

St Anthony of Padua – included on all bracelets

Saint Anthony is the patron saint for amputees, travelers and sailors. Although he lived and worked in Italy, he was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195 to a wealthy family.  He was known as a gifted speaker and for his clear and simple teachings.  He joined the Franciscan order after the bodies of 5 tortured and headless Franciscans preaching in Morocco were brought to his monastery on their way home for burial.   He died in 1231 at the age of 36.

St. Martin of Tours – included on all bracelets

St. Martin is known as the patron saint of soldiers, chaplains, quartermasters and the cavalry.  He was born in 315 or 316 in Pannonia, a Roman province that is now part of Hungary. His father was an army officer and, following the requirement that sons of military veterans must serve, he joined the army at age 15.  He was released at 18 and devoted himself to Christianity.  He was known for his efforts to free prisoners and spare them torture.  Although the exact date of his death is unknown, he lived into his 80s and died somewhere between 395 and 402.

St John of Capistrano – included on all bracelets

Born on June 24, 1386, in Italy , St John of Capistrono was a Franciscan priest and is known as the patron saint of military chaplains. He took his name from his place of birth, the village of Capestrano.  When the Turks were threatening Vienna and Rome, St John of Capistrano, at the age of 70, inspired troops to fight and drive back the Turks.  He died on October 23, 1456.

The Battle Saint™ logo – included on all bracelets

This logo ensures you are wearing an original Battle Saint™ bracelet and represents our commitment to the armed forces by donating a portion of every bracelet sale to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

St Christopher – included on all bracelets

St Christopher is known as the patron saint of traveling, especially long journeys. He was hailed as a martyr and killed during the reign of the Roman Emperor Decius (249-251).  It is said that while crossing a river, St Christopher offered to carry a child on his shoulders.  The child was extremely heavy and was said to be Jesus carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.  St Christopher was among the saints removed, for lack of proof, from the Church’s universal calendar after the 1969 reform. Nonetheless, he remains popular.

St Philip Neri – included on all bracelets

Born in Florence in 1515, St Philip Neri is known as the patron saint of the Special Forces.  He was renowned for his sharp wit, humor and spontaneous behavior.  The meetings he held to provide spiritual guidance to young men became so popular that a room called the “Oratory” was built for these gatherings.  Eventually, St Philip Neri decided that the group should have its own Church and formed the Congregation of the Oratory. He died in 1595 at the age of eighty.

Joan of Arc – included on all bracelets

Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412, to peasants Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Romee in Greux-Domremy, Lorraine, France .  At the time, England controlled much of modern day France .  Joan of Arc received visions from God to recover her homeland from England and return the true King, Charles V11, to his throne.  She led the French army in many battles and Charles regained his throne.  However, she was eventually captured by the Burgundians. She was sold to England , tried by an ecclesiastical court and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431 in Rouen, France, at the age of nineteen. She is the patron saint of soldiers, prisoners and the Women’s Army Corps.

St Nicholas of Myra – included on medium and large bracelets

St Nicholas of Myra was born in 270 AD in the Greek colony of Patara, Lycia, in modern-day Turkey .  His wealthy parents died at an early age and he was raised by an uncle.  Fervently religious from an early age, he was known for secret gift-giving and his generous nature.  One legend tells of a butcher who slaughtered his three children during a famine with plans to sell them as ham, but St Nicholas resurrected the children.  He is the patron saint of numerous groups, including children (for everyone with children serving in the military), sailors and travelers.  And, who doesn’t love St Nicholas? He died of natural causes on December 6, 346 AD in Myra, Lycia.

St Joseph of Cupertino – included on all bracelets

Born in 1603 to a poor family in the village of Cupertino in Italy , St Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of aviators and paratroopers.  He was known to levitate and became known as the “Flying Saint.” He was also known for the gift of healing.  He died in 1663 in Ossimo, Italy .

Gabriel, the Archangel – included on medium and large bracelets

St Gabriel, the Archangel is the patron saint of communication workers.  Gabriel is known for his prophesies, appearing to Daniel in the Old Testament and to Zachariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist.  He also announced to Mary that she would bear a son conceived of the Holy Spirit.

St Luke – included on all bracelets

St Luke is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons.  It is believed he was born a Greek and a Gentile.  In one account, he is rumored to have been a slave, since families were known to train their slaves as physicians so they would have someone to care for them.  In Luke, we hear of the poor, social injustice and about the prodigal son being welcomed back home.  Closely associated with Paul, not a lot is known about Luke after Paul’s death.  Some accounts indicate he was martyred; others tell of him having a long life.

St Sebastian – included on all bracelets

St Sebastain is known as the patron saint of archers, athletes and soldiers and is known as the protector against plagues.  He was born in Narbonne, Gaul, and joined the Roman army around 283.  He was a Captain in the praetorian guards under Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, and was ordered executed during the persecution of Christians.  Shot by arrows and left for dead, he miraculously survived.  It is no surprise that he is known for his physical fortitude.  After his recovery, he denounced the Emperor for his cruelty to Christians and was ordered beaten to death.

St George – included on all large bracelets

It is believed that St George was born to a Christian family in Lydda, Palestine, sometime between 275 AD and 285 AD.  His father was a respected Roman army official and St George followed in his footsteps.  He would become part of the Imperial Guard and is often depicted slaying a dragon. (It was said he was rescuing a beautiful woman, with the dragon representing wickedness and the woman representing God’s holy truth.)  When Emperor Diocletian began persecuting Christians, St George announced his Christianity and condemned the Emperor’s edict.  The Emperor offered land and money to St George if he would denounce his Christianity, but St George refused.  He was ordered tortured and eventually beheaded in 303.  He became a legend after his death for his courage and unwavering faith.  Soldiers, in particular, are known to be devoted to St George.