Saints Damian and Cosmas

Saints Damian and Cosmas

Saints Cosmas  and Damian were twin brothers, born in Arabia, who had become eminent for their skill in the science of medicine. Being Christians, they were filled with the spirit  of charity and never took money for their services. For this reason they were known as "the Silverless."

During the persecution under Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were arrested by order of the Prefect of Cilicia, one Lysias who is otherwise unknown, who ordered them under torture  to recant. However, according to legend they stayed true to their faith, enduring being hung on a cross, stoned and shot by arrows and finally suffered execution by beheading. Anthimus, Leontius and Euprepius, their younger brothers, who were inseparable from them throughout life, shared in their martyrdom.

Their most famous miraculous exploit was the grafting of a leg from a recently deceased Ethiopian to replace a patient's ulcered leg, and was the subject of many paintings and illuminations.

Birth: 3rd Century of Arabic descent.

Died: Circa 303, tortured and beheaded.

Canonized: Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:  September 26th.

Patronage: Against blindness, against hernias, apothecaries, barbers, druggists, physicians, surgeons, midwives, hairdressers, hernia patients and the blind.  In Brazil they are also regarded as the protectors of children.

Rosary Chaplet of Saints Damian and Cosmas

Unbreakable Catholic Rosaries and Patron Saint Chaplets

The Caravaca Crucifix

 Caravaca Crucifix

The Caravaca Cross with double cross bar, body of Christ, and two angels takes its name from Caravaca (now known as Caravaca de la Cruz), Spain, a town in the province of Murcia.  The Cross is a popular religious symbol in Mexico and is said to be the first Christian cross to be brought into the country. Mexican Christians believe the cross has special powers to grant wishes and prayers.

Franciscan missionaries brought the cross to the new world. In 1943, when the burial crypt of Father Serra (1713-1784), the Franciscan founder of the California missions, was opened, a Caravaca style relic cross was found. The cross is now on display at the Carmel Mission.

 One version of the legend of the origin of the Caravaca cross is as follows.

When the Moors captured their prisoners they determined whether they had any particular skill, and if the skill was worthwhile their life would be spared. One day they captured a priest and asked him what tools he needed to show his trade. He asked for a table, three linen cloths, two candles, a cup, bread, wine, and a crucifix. He was provided with everything except for the crucifix. Without the crucifix, he could not perform his trade. On the verge of being put to death, two angels arrived carrying a cross. They held it over the table while the priest said mass and his life was spared. The cross was attributed to the patriarch of Jerusalem and included a piece of the True Cross.

Another version has the cross appearing while the priest was taken to be executed. The Moorish lord converted, and the priest was saved. The townspeople of Caravaca, Spain shaped a replica of the cross out of metal and provided space for relics to be inserted. A Festival of the Holy Cross is held there every May.

The Rosary Chaplet of Saint Ann

Chaplet available for purchase at www.unbreakablerosaries.com

The Rosary Chaplet of Saint Ann 

~  Mother of Mary ~

Origin:


The Little Chaplet of Saint Anne dates from 1875 and is the pious invention of a devout client of our Saint. If his name is unknown to man, he is surely known to God and dear to Good Saint Anne, for these beads have been the beginning of a chain of blessings, spiritual and temporal. Many graces and favors have been obtained through their recitation.


Explanation and signification:

The Little Chaplet of Saint Anne is composed of three Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys and is divided into three parts; the first part, one Our Father and five Hail Marys, is said in honor of Jesus, the Author of Grace; the second in honor of Mary, the channel through which all graces come to us from Jesus; the third in honor of Saint Anne, our advocate.


Manner of reciting:

Make the sign of the cross; then kiss devoutly the medal of Saint Anne saying the prayer: Jesus, Mary, Anne.
While reciting the first part thank Jesus for His favors, ask pardon for sins and future favors. While reciting the second part praise Mary and ask her to present your petition to Saint Anne. The third part is a petition to the Good Saint Anne. Each group is concluded with a Glory Be as an act of praise to the Blessed Trinity.

 

This information is quoted from TWENTY-FOUR ROSARIES AND CHAPLETS by Patrick Shaughnessy, O.S.B., S.T.D. Reprinted 1984 by Our Lady's Rosary Makers.