Asturian-American Migration Forum

Mañana, 4 de diciembre, es el día de Santa Bárbara, patrona de los mineros y de los artilleros en toda Europa (Barburka en Polonia), además de auxiliadora en las tormentas y temporales (de ahí el refrán: "Algunos sólo se acuerdan de Sta. Bárbara cuando truena") y en facilitarnos una muerte serena cuando llega el momento.

Es una de los santos de Adviento y tanto si soys creyentes, como si no, si por Sta. Bárbara ponéis una rama de cerezo en agua, florecerá en Navidad.
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Tomorrow, December 4th is St. Barbara's Day, the patron saint of the miners and explosives experts throughout Europe (Barburka in Poland). She is also rescues us in thunderstorms (hence the proverb: "Some people only remember St. Barbara when it thunders") and ushers in a peaceful death when our time comes.

She is one of the saints of the Advent Season and if whether you are a believer or not, if you put a cherry branch in water on St. Barbara's, it will bloom on Christmas day.

Hi Terechu,

My Grandaughter goes to Catholic School and is in the 6th Grade. As part of their Saint's Day celebration they all had to pick a Saint...do a small speech on the Altar...then write a story about their Saint.

To honor me she picked Saint Barbara...who I might add lead a tragic life. She was imprisoned by her Father...she converted to Christianity and that angered her Father. He took her to the local authorities and they ordered her to be beheaded. Her Father did this and on his way home was struck by lighting...Fire from Heaven.

She also had to dress the part...a long white dress with a crimson red shawl...It all went well...By the way my Birthday is today December 3rd.

Barbara

Happy birthday, Barbara!

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Barbara!

Barbara, how very sweet of your grandaughter to choose Saint Barbara in your honour! If she loves you as much as I loved my granny, and I'm sure she does, you are one blessed lady!

Happy birthday!
And happy nameday to all Barbaras!
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Bárbara, que cariñosa fue tu nieta al escoger a Sta. Bárbara en tu honor! Si te quiere tanto como yo a mi abuela, y estoy segura que sí, eres una mujer de suerte!
Feliz cumpleaños!

Y feliz "día del santu" a todas las Bárbaras!

For those interested in Santa Barbara's relationship to thunderstorms, there is a very interesting article (in castellano) at http://www.meteored.com/ram/numero9/santabarbara.asp. It gives several short, rhymed prayers collected from various regions, including Asturias. One is in Portuguese.

The one from Asturias (Somiedo) reads:

“Santa Bárbara bendita,
que en el cielo estás escrita
con papel y agua bendita.
Santa Bárbara doncella,
líbranos de la centella
y del rayo mal parado.
Jesucristo está enclavado
en el ara de la Cruz.
Paternoste, Amén Jesús.”

Blessed Saint Barbara,
Whose name is written in heaven
with paper and holy water.
Virgin Saint Barbara,
save us from the lightening
and from threatening thunderbolts.
Jesus Christ is nailed
on the altar of the Cross.
Our Father. Amen Jesus.

This thread caught my attention because when I was a small child living in Milwaukee, WI, I remember that my mother had an iconic picture of Santa Barbara (she was sadly beautiful and there was a tower in the background). Near the picture my mom had a votive candle, an apple and a glass of water. But when we moved to Miami, Santa Barbara disappeared from our home. When I pressed my mom (who is now a Jehovah's Witness) about why we had her and what was the significance of those items, she enigmatically replied "I just followed what everyone told me to do." I know that in Cuba Catholic traditions intermixed and blended with African traditions and as a result, sects like "Santeria" developed. I therefore wonder if those "offerings" are a result of this mixture or if it is part of a tradition originating in Spain. Can someone please enlighten me?