Deepertruth: St Barbara, Patron Of Artillery

St. Barbara, she was born sometime near 283 A.D. raised in Nicomedia, Asia Minor.

Her Father, Dioscrus, was a strong Roman Governor who had a hatred for the Catholic Faith. He was a devout Pagan who believed in the power of Rome. He considered the Church as a threat against the "divine" Emperor.

Despite all his efforts, St. Barbara would herself follow the footsteps of her Mother and become a Christian. Dioscrus built a tower intending to close St. Barbara off from the world.

St. Barbara being placed in this tower, there were three windows she spiritually recognized the Holy Trinity. Notice that St. Patrick utilized the Shamrock and St. Boniface used the upside down pine tree to teach the Trinity.

Now I learn that St. Barbara used the three windows to signify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

When St. Barbara came forward as a Christian, she refused to marry the prefect of the province, Martinianus, who brutally tortured her.

There are several miracles that surround this great Saint. The story is told that her Father, Dioscrus, upon learning of her conversion to the Catholic Faith, he drew his own sword to kill her.

Just as the Lord took St. Phillip (Acts 8:39) and moved him, the Lord also protected St. Barbara (through her prayers).

This is much the same way God saved St. Peter (Acts 12:6-11). The Lord gave St. Barbara an opening of escape miraculously transporting her to a mountain range where she found the company of shepherds.