Feast of Great Martyr St. Barbara

...and the day my sister Barbara was chrismated - and acquired such a wonderful godmother in Deb.   (And as a bonus, she also acquired a marvelous "godgrandmother", Deb's godmother.)

Here's a picture of  I found recently, taken in 1983.





That's Barbara on the right. I'm on the left, and my daughter is in the middle.

Happy Feast Day to all Barbaras!  Hagiographical account here.

WHEN JULIANNA SAW THE BLESSED MARTYR BARBARA
DURING HER TERRIBLE TRIAL
SUFFERING FROM HER MANY WOUNDS,
HER BODY PAINFULLY TORN IN MANY PLACES,
SHE CRIED OUT WITH TEARS OF COMPASSION:
"WORD OF GOD AND LOVER OF MANKIND;
GRANT THIS DAY THAT I MAY BE HER COMPANION IN MARTYRDOM!"

5. SAINTS BARBARA AND JULIANNA,
YOU ARE OF THOSE WHO ALONE HAVE A TRUE VOCATION FOR RIGHTEOUS LIVING,
FOR YOU ATTACKED THE ENEMY AND GRAVELY WOUNDED HIM!
THUS YOU ARE WORTHY OF GLORIFICATION BY CHRIST GOD
FOR YOU TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT THE DESTROYING PASSIONS AND THEIR EVIL,
GIVING THE MEANS OF HEALING TO ALL THE FAITHFUL!

4. MOST PURE MARTYR BARBARA, WHEN YOU WERE SENTENCED TO DIE
YOU FACED SWEET DEATH WITH JOY!
YOU SWIFTLY FULFILLED THE ACT OF MARTYRDOM,
SLAIN BY THE HAND OF YOUR MOST EVIL PARENT.
YOU WERE OFFERED UP AS FRUIT TO GOD.
THEREFORE WITH THE WISE VIRGINS YOU TRULY REJOICE
AS YOU BEHOLD THE LIGHT OF CHRIST, YOUR BRIDEGROOM.