Feast of Saint Barbara, Patron Saint of Firefighters

A call to charity and sacrifice

Celebrating Saint Barbara, a martyr who offered her life for Christ, is an opportunity to remember how much sacrifice is involved in the mission of firefighters. Under the protection of their Patroness, firefighters contribute to the Advent of the Kingdom of God, with their activities, their professionalism and their dedication to others, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, highlighted during Holy Mass in the Church of Maria, Madre della Famiglia (Mary, Mother of the Family), on Sunday morning, 22 December. The Feast of Saint Barbara was also an opportunity for the families of firefighters to get together and enjoy a moment of refreshment together, three days before the Solemnity of Christmas. The Mass was attended by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti and Mr. Davide Giulietti, respectively, Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Services, Mr. Paolo De Angelis, Coordinator of the Fire Brigade and Fr. Franco Fontana, Chaplain of the Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Services and of the Vatican Museums.

 The following is the Cardinal President’s homily for the occasion.

Dear Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti,

Davide Giulietti,

Paolo De Angelis

Fr. Franco Fontana,

and all those gathered here,

We are assembled here around the Lord’s Table to celebrate Saint Barbara, Patron Saint of firefighters, along with Leo IV. There are only a few days left before Christmas and the opening of the Holy Door, which officially marks the start of the Jubilee. It will be a time of grace and mercy in which we will be able to obtain a plenary indulgence. In addition to being a time of spiritual blessings, it is also a year in which we are called to welcome the arrival of millions of pilgrims. All of you, and the Gendarmes will be asked to be especially attentive and dedicated, in order to be ready in case of any need or emergency. There will be challenges, but I know I can count on your professionalism and competence.

The passage from the Gospel according to Luke which we have just heard, tells of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Inspired by charity, having just received the news of the pregnancy of her relative, Mary sets on a journey to go and help her. With her is Jesus, whom she carries in her womb. The mystery of the Visitation can thus be understood in Mary’s haste to bring the presence of Christ to others. God’s mercy is manifested through the Virgin Mary.

You too, dear firefighters, when you are involved in rescue operations, should remember that Christ accompanies you and that you are not alone. Every time you respond to a call for help, Christ is with you, as you go towards human suffering. Every time you go out to rescue someone, in that precise moment, Christ is there. The values of courage, dedication, commitment, team spirit, altruism and respect that inspire the Fire Brigade are profoundly Christian because they answer to the profound meaning of mankind: to be present, available and committed to others, to brothers and sisters in difficulty.

You too are thus contributing to the Advent of the Kingdom of God, with your activities, your professionalism and your dedication to others.

Today we remember your Patron Saint, Saint Barbara, virgin and martyr, born in Nicomedia. Devotion to the saint became widespread in both the East and the West, starting from the fifth century. She is the Patron Saint of all those whose work puts them at risk of sudden death: bomb disposal experts, armourers, foundrymen, carpenters, construction workers and miners.

Because tradition holds that her executioner was struck by lightning, she is popularly invoked against the dangers of a sudden death, caused by fire or by electricity.

The suffering of Saint Barbara, who risked her life to remain faithful to Christ, is a call to charity and sacrifice.

Dear firefighters, as people worry about their own lives, you worry about the lives of others. As people flee from danger, you face danger. As the meaning of the words courage, dedication and sacrifice go unforgotten, you choose them as your inspiration to take action. We are all extremely grateful to you for all of this.

Invoking the maternal protection of Mary, I offer you and your families my heartfelt wishes for a Holy Christmas.