Female Saints: Who is Your Favorite?

Religious worship of saints is designed to promote prayer and to assist us in accepting God's love as a freely given gift. For many religious and not-so-religious, the connection with at least one saint helps to bring a human-like presence to our daily lives.

While many believe saints can only be male, this is simply not the case. In fact, there are many female saints that are blessed and recognized by the churches and religious organizations.

Female saints generally include those who are considered virgin martyr. For example, Saint Barbara was a virgin martyr who was controlled by her father to such an extent that she was imprisoned by her father who felt she was being demonized by Christianity. As the story goes, Saint Barbara's father volunteered to behead his daughter by his own hand and, in the process of doing so upon a mountain, was struck by lightening. While she lived in and was confined to her tower, many individuals who connect with Saint Barbara tend to be those who may be financially blessed but realize that no amount of financial blessings can replace or interfere with faith.

In addition to Saint Barbara, Saint Apollonia is commonly viewed as a martyr saint for those who are financially well off. As a saint who is considered to be much older than the other female saints, Saint Barbara is believed to have been a woman who was beaten by angry mobs, repeatedly, eventually losing her teeth. She died by her own hands when an anti-Christian mob threatened to burn her by fire. Rather than allowing the mob to throw her into the fire, she stepped into the fire on her own, taking her own life. Today, she is considered the patron saint for dentists.

With the most profound and memorable death of all of the virgin martyr saints, Saint Agatha possesses a story of dignity and feminine pride. Shunned to a brothel for refusing to submit to a man, she was rarely touched as she portrayed an image of dignity and respect. Because her "punishment" to brothel life was not as her male companion had wanted, he then condemned her to death by violent removal her breasts. For this reason, Saint Agatha is commonly associated as the patron saint of breast cancer patients as her courage and will to stand for her believes, even if it meant torture and pain was virtuous.

As the patron saint of flowers, Saint Dorothy was also sent to beheading and, while on her way, passed a lawyer by the name of Theophilus. In her passing, she spoke to Theophilus, telling him she would delivery flowers from Paradise. Soon after her beheading, a young girl presented Theophilus with apples and roses. What is poignant about Saint Dorothy is the dignity with which she handled her beheading and her ability to send the message of love and Paradise to those in her passing, even at her death.

To send the message of God's light within, many individuals choose to associate more closely with Saint Lucy. Believed to be a woman who had her eyes violently torn away, Saint Lucy is symbolic for her continued belief in Christianity with a light within, even though she could not see outward. As a relatively simple concept, many churches teach of Saint Lucy to promote self realization and promoting good works towards others

And, finally, Saint Catherine of Alexandria was also a virgin martyr saint. Considered a highly intelligent woman, St. Catherine is often associated with scholars, philosophers and even clergy. As a woman that was highly capable of intellectual debate, St. Catherine turned down the Emperor's offer of marriage citing her love and connection with Christ did not permit her to marry. As a result, St. Catherine was also beheaded but reminds many that intellect and faith can be interconnected.

Whether you are well versed or new to the religious theories and doctrines, many of your lessons will fail to tell you about the virgin martyr saints, including stories of their lives and their tribulations. When considering your connection with saints, in a spiritual sense, consider the women who made a mark on Christianity, each in her own right.