ROUSES_Fall2023_Magazine

St. Anthony of Padua Renowned for his skills as an orator and educator, St. Anthony of Padua became one of the first teachers in the Franciscan order, educating other friars about how to best preach and spread the word of the Lord. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT GULF COAST CONNECTION: An oasis of tranquility within the bustle of the French Quarter, St. Anthony’s Garden, located directly behind St. Louis Cathedral, features not only the iconic, shadow-casting statue of Jesus with arms outstretched, but iron fencing where artists hang their works for sale each morning. Originally plotted in the 17th century, St. Anthony’s Garden has served as everything from a kitchen garden for Capuchin monks, to a shelter for fire victims, to a dueling site. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT ON GAME DAY: St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost items, can help you find your misplaced lucky Saints jersey or autographed Alvin Kamara Airhead candy just in time for kickoff by reciting this prayer: “St. Anthony, please come around; something is lost and must be found.”

St. Joseph The husband of Mary and earthly father figure to Jesus, St. Joseph was a carpenter of little means — when Jesus was born, Joseph offered two doves at the temple, an allowance for those who could not afford to offer a lamb — but he was descended from the royal lineage of King David. The Angel of the Lord appeared frequently to Joseph to give instruction, first informing him that Mary’s pregnancy was with the Son of God and not out of adultery, and second, to warn Joseph of King Herod’s plan to kill the infant Jesus, prompting them to escape to Egypt until Herod’s death. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT GULF COAST CONNECTION: Get your altars ready! Every year on March 19, New Orleanians throughout the city — from churches, to bakeries, to bars, to Rouses Markets — carry on Sicilian tradition and celebrate the Feast Day of St. Joseph by creating stunningly elaborate altars to thank him for relief from hunger with loaves of bread, cornucopias of pastry, fruit, St. Lucy’s Eyes Pie, fava beans (for luck) and lemons. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT ON GAME DAY: St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, meaning that he’s certainly watching over all the armchair quarterback and stadium-seat referee dads on game day who are getting their blood pressure up over the next play that’s about to be called.

St. Mary the Virgin Considered by many to be the most venerated, exalted and holy of all the saints, St. Mary the Virgin — who goes by many names, including Blessed Virgin Mary, Blessed Mother and Mary, Mother of God — was the mother of Jesus Christ and is an enduring symbol of perfect love in Catholicism. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT GULF COAST CONNECTION: In March 2023, two high school math students at St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans East figured out the solution to a problem that had been stumping mathematicians for over 2,000 years: how to prove the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry and without using circular logic. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT ON GAME DAY:

Pope Pius XI declared St. Mary the Virgin, under the title “Our Lady of Prompt Succor,” as the patron saint of Louisiana in 1928. Say a prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor on game day, on behalf of all concerned Louisianans, if quick assistance is needed.

St. Francis of Assisi A fascinating saint well-known for his vow of poverty, humble nature and deep connection with all aspects of the natural world — from animals to the environment — St. Francis of Assisi is considered the founder of all orders of Franciscan monks. St. Francis preached not only to humans, but wildlife. In one well-known story, he preached to hundreds of birds about being thankful to God for their fantastic clothes and independence. The birds stood still as he walked among him, only flying off when he said they could leave.

38 ROUSES FALL 2023