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| San Giuliano L'Ospitaliere, ora pro nobis |
In Spain, St. Julian boldly entered into the service of a powerful prince to fight the Saracens. Performing many brave deeds, he married a beautiful princess and prospered. Meanwhile, his parents, distraught by their son’s disappearance, wander the lands in search of him. By chance, they happen upon St. Julian’s wife after visiting a shrine to Santiago Matamoros and are warmly welcomed to stay at their keep. Weary from their travels, their daughter-in-law offers them her bed to rest while they await his return from a hunting trip. Arriving home the next morning and unaware of his guests, he entered his wife’s ill-lit chambers only to discover two people sleeping in her bed. Enraged by his wife’s presumed infidelity, he draws his sword and slays his parents as prophesied.
Discovering his dreadful mistake, St. Julian, with his loving wife by his side, made a pilgrimage to Rome to seek forgiveness. Full of remorse and anguish, they dedicated themselves to a hard life of prayer and penance. Seeking redemption for his grievous sin, St. Julian founded seven hospitals and 25 houses to help the poor and sick. In the Papal lands of Macerata, he built a hospice along the banks of a river to offer safe lodging for pilgrims and help ferry travelers across the waterway.
One stormy night, St. Julian heard cries for help and discovers a poor leper seeking shelter from the elements. Unhesitatingly taking the stranger in to dry off and eat, he selflessly offers him his bed. Suddenly, the afflicted traveler turned into an irradiant angel and announced God’s forgiveness. Sanctified by years of penance and good works, St. Julian and his wife ascended into Heaven. [In some versions, the Angel was Christ.]
St. Julian the Hospitaller is the patron saint of, inter alia, hospitallers, knights, travelers, pilgrims, ferrymen, boatmen, hoteliers, innkeepers, hunters, shepherds, childless people, and Macerata, Le Marche, where he is venerated on August 31st.
In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Julian the Hospitaller. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva San Giuliano L'Ospitaliere!
Prayer to St. Julian the Hospitaller
Saint Julian, you murdered your own parents by mistake, and when you sought penance for your actions, you were forgiven by God. You resolved to leave and give yourself to the service of others until you gained assurance from God that you had performed a fitting penance for your sin. Pray that by giving my utmost love to the sick, poor, strangers and marginalized, I may obtain forgiveness from God of all my past mistakes done to my family especially against my parents. Amen.
