St. Florian

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Florian who is highly commemorated in the Roman Martyrology.

St. Florian was a Roman army officer, and he had occupied a very high administrative post in Noricum, which is now part of Austria. St. Florian was martyred for the Catholic faith during the days of Diocletian.

St. Florian’s unforgettable and brave actions, include that he gave himself up at Lorch to a bunch of soldiers of Aquilinus, who was their governor during that time. The soldiers had spent much time rounding up Christians during that time, and after St. Florian had made a bold confession, he was scourged twice, he was half-flayed while being alive, he was set on fire, and he was lastly thrown into the river Enns with a stone around his neck.

St. Florian’s body was later, recovered and buried by a very pious woman. St. Florian’s body however, was eventually removed to the Augustinian Abbey of St. Florian, which was located near Linz.

St. Florian’s body is said to have been moved later on to Rome, Italy. During the year 1138, Pope Lucius III, later gave some of St. Florian’s relics to King Casimir of Poland and to the Bishop of Cracow.

St. Florian is regarded as one of the patron saints of Poland as well as a patron saint of Linz, Upper Austria and he is also the patron saint of firemen.

There are many different type of devotions that occur to St. Florian that occur in many different parts of Central Europe and in different other parts of the world. Many celebrations and traditions are celebrated to remember St. Florian’s martyrdom and sacrifice.

Many different types of miracles such as healing have been attributed to his powerful and loving intercession. St. Florian is also viewed as a very powerful protector from the danger of fire or water. St. Florian’s feast day is celebrated on May 4th.

Prayer to St. Florian St. Florian intercede that we may be able to stay close to Christ through moments of temptations, trials and difficulties. St. Florian help us to guide more people to Christ so that we may all be united in Heaven one day. St. Florian help us to overcome all of our fears and help us to trust in God's will and protection for us. We ask this through Christ Our Lord and Mary Our Mother in Heaven Amen St. Florian pray for us St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

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Works cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Catholic Online. "St. Florian. ”St. Florian - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. Accessed 4, May 2021.

Images:

Saint Florian. May 4, 2021. st. florian - Google Search.