Saint Barbara: Patron Saint of the US Army Field Artillery

St. Barbara lived in Nicomedia (modern day Turkey) around the year 300 A.D. The extraordinarily beautiful Barbara was the daughter of a wealthy pagan named Dioscorus. Dioscorus jealously kept her secluded in a tower to keep her a virgin.

In her lonely solitude, Saint Barbara turned to prayer and studied Christianity. Marveling at the serene countryside that she could only view from her locked tower, full of animals and all other living things, St. Barbara became convinced there was more to life than the pagan idols worshipped by her parents.

Her father designed a bathhouse for Saint Barbara, approving the detailed plans which included two windows. Dioscorus then left on a long journey. While he was gone, St. Barbara grew deeper in her faith and was secretly baptized by a priest who disguised himself as a physician to gain entrance to her solitary tower. After her conversion, she redesigned the bathhouse to have three windows, representing the Holy Trinity.

Her father was enraged upon his return when learning of his daughter's conversion to Christianity. Forcing her before a civil tribunal before the prefect of the province, he denounced her as a Christian. The beautiful St. Barbara was horribly tortured and sentenced to death by beheading. Her own father, Dioscorus, actually carried out her beheading. Dioscrorus was struck by lightning and killed immediately following his murder of Saint Barbara.

Saint Barbara was venerated as early as the seventh century. She was considered to be the Patron Saint of danger from thunderstorms, which had killed her merciless father, fire and sudden death. When gunpowder was created and used, Saint Barbara was again invoked for help in protecting against explosions. Since early artillery often had a habit of exploding rather than firing their projectile, Saint Barbara became the Patron Saint of the artillerymen.

According to the website of the US Army Field Artillery, the Order of Saint Barbara is an honorary military society of the United States Field Artillery. Both U.S. Marine and Army field artillery along with their military and civilian supporters are eligible for membership. The order is managed by the U.S. Field Artillery Association and two levels of recognition exist. The most distinguished level is the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and those who are selected for this honor have achieved long-term, exceptional service to the field artillery surpassing even their brethren in the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. The order links field artillerymen of the past and present in a brotherhood of professionalism, selfless service and sacrifice symbolized by Saint Barbara.

Today, the Feast of Saint Barbara is informally celebrated on December 4.

Sources:

United States Field Artillery Association

Fisheaters

Catholic Saints