When the saints go logging on

BBC Online Network News ^ | Monday, June 14, 1999 | Unknown

[acnielsen guy]

Sci/Tech

When the saints go logging on

For those ahout to crash.

The next time you have trouble surfing the Net, spiritual help could be at hand. In answer to the prayers of many Net users who have just crashed, the Vatican is considering giving the Internet its own patron saint.

The choice of religious saviour is thought to be St Isidore of Seville, who died 1,400 years ago.

The Spanish saint is the preferred choice for the Net by many users. He is credited with creating the world's first database - a 20-volume encyclopaedia. St Isidore was a prolific writer and his works include a history of the world. He introduced the works of Aristotle to Spain and was considered to be one of the most learned men of his day.

Spokesman for the Catholic Media Office Tom Hallwood said: "There are patron saints of many things, so why not let the Internet have one?

"It is a good idea and might be able to help us all when we are about to crash.

"There has been no official statement from Rome but this has been an idea floating around for a while, so why not?"

The Vatican and the Roman Catholic church are heavily involved with the Internet.

The Pope broadcasts live speeches on the Web and Vatican Radio can be heard online.

It also uses three servers to cope with the heavy demand made on its websites, appropriately called Raphael, Gabriel and Michael.

The move to appoint a saint for the Internet has been attributed to pressure from Catholic users around the world, predominantly Spain.

[acnielsen guy]

Today is the saint's day of St. Isidore of Seville - everything is well in hand.

[Cagey]

I don't know, he looks more like a book kind of guy to me.

[Neets]

too early for me.

[2Trievers]

Oneida, I'll call IC ... inside of 3 posts, once the two of you get going, we'll be calling for Holy Water and it will give Cagey something to do this morning ... apropo for this thread, anyway! &;-)

[Inge_CAV]

Should we sprinkle it on our hands, or be doused with it? : )

[2Trievers]

This Holy Water is only used for dousing the flames of passion. &;-)

[Cagey]

too early for me.

Actually, there is a patron saint of sleep. St. Mare.

[Neets]

Dousing sounds fun...

[2Trievers]

Just don't get the wedding cake wet ... save me a piece, OK?

[Inge_CAV]

More fun than being sprinkled anyway. : )

[Inge_CAV]

"Just don't get the wedding cake wet ... save me a piece, OK?"

A "Quarter" piece???

[2Trievers]

LOL ... very funny .... let's see if Cagey gets it. He knows too ... only suggested a Susan B. &;-)

[grannie9]

I think your system in Spain needs help... Six days to get mail? Calling St. Isadore... Sprinkle some water on Espania...

[grannie9]

Sorry...St. Isidore. If you help me.. I'll try and spell your name right... heh, heh, heh....

Is it dangerous to try and make deals with a St., Neets?

[uglybiker]

When are we gonna have patron saints for trailer homes? They're all over the place and they've been around alot longer than this new-fangled internet thingy.

Oh yeah, and I want a patron saint for drag racing, too.

[Neets]

Cagey will be in here soon trying to nickle and dime us no doubt...did he ever get a new bookie 2T's?

[Neets]

It's safe Sister S....just be careful makin deals with the Cap'n

[Neets]

..but not motorcycles??? Good morning Toots!

[grannie9]

;)...I gutcha sis.. No deals with the "big" Capt'n... He's on my "to do not" list "or else".. ifyagitwhatimean....

[uglybiker]

I think there already is one for murdersikkles. I think he's the same patron saint for lost causes. ;-)

Does anybody have a searchable database for Patron Saints?