FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS

A group of saints invoked with special confidence because they have proven themselves efficacious helpers in adversity and difficulties, known and venerated under the name Fourteen Holy Helpers. Though each has a seperate feast or memorial day, the group was collectively venerated on 8 August. However, this feast was dropped and suppressed in the 1969 reform of the calendar.

They are invoked as a group because of the Black Plague which devastated Europe from 1346 to 1349. Among its symptoms were the tongue turning black, a parched throat, violent headache, fever, and boils on the abdomen. It attacked without warning, robbed its victims of reason, and killed within a few hours; many died without the last Sacraments. Brigands roamed the roads, people suspected of contagion were attacked, animals died, people starved, whole villages vanished into the grave, social order and family ties broke down, and the disease appeared incurable. The pious turned to Heaven, begging the intervention of the saints, praying to be spared or cured. This group devotion began in Germany, and the tradition has remained strong there.

Achatius
against headaches
Barbara
against fever
against sudden death
Blaise
against ills of the throat
Catherine of Alexandria
against sudden death
Christopher
against plagues
against sudden death
Cyriacus
against temptations, especially at time of death
Denis
against headaches
Erasmus
against abdominal maladies
for protection of domestic animals
Eustachius
against family trouble
George
for protection of domestic animals
Giles
against plagues
for a good confession
Margaret of Antioch
for safe childbirth
Pantaleon
for physicians
for protection of domestic animals
Vitus
against epilepsy
for protection of domestic animals
As devotion spread, Pope Nicholas V attached indulgences to devotion of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the 16th century, but these are no longer attached under the modern norms and grants.
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY HELPERS
Fourteen Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in Heaven; because thou persevered till death thou gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.

Fourteen Holy Helpers, select friends of God, I honor thee as mighty intercessors, and come with filial confidence to thee in my needs, for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena. Help me by thy intercession to placate God's wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join thee in Heaven, there to praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His Saints. Amen.

Graduate of 14HH Grammar School in WNY in the '60-s.

One of the nice things about Europe is the existence of the veneration of saints, especially in the Catholic areas (Germany, Bavaria, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Italy).

One example I remember from a couple of months ago, we mark our states and towns with state flowers, town mascots and such. They have patron saints.
Nice.
Can't go wrong there.