Cruel is the story of this saint, who came from the East in the middle of the third century. Only daughter of Dioscorus, of great beauty, Barbara is a very courted young woman. Despite many marriage proposals, including powerful lords, she refuses to marry. Her father then locks her up in a tower, away from men and where Christ will reveal himself to her.
Converted to Christianity, she had a third window pierced in her tower, to symbolize the Trinity. Her father will not forgive her and after worse tortures and while she still refuses to recant, her father will decapitate her. The wrath, this time of God, will cause man to be struck by lightning and reduced to dust.
This martyrdom of Saint Barbara is surrounded by various beliefs and practices. In fact, all trades related to electrocution and fire such as miners, pyrotechnicians, saltpetres, smelters, coleuvriers, arquebusiers and of course firefighters (under the Third Republic) would subsequently place themselves under her protection.
Sprouting wheat and lentils
On Santa Barbara day it is traditional to sow grains of wheat, lentils and even chickpeas in a plate. A fertility rite that dates back to antiquity. On December 25th the wheat that has grown is then decorated with yellow and red ribbons and from December 26th the cups are placed near the crib, until Epiphany.
« This Ste Barbe corresponds this year to the 2th Advent Sunday Father Nicoli also explained in the preamble of the celebration. ” So this is an opportunity for you firefighters to say thank you for your busy lives. Thank you also for putting these young sapeurs in order and educating them in a world where we are weak, poor at heart. But wealth comes from knowing that you are loved by the Lord. Through the intercession of Santa Barbe, we must pray for wisdom from above. Firefighters, your calling is to save people from distress and we need you, people like you to take us by the hand in our moments of pain. This feast reminds us that there are people in the Church of the Saints who have this vocation. These people have nothing more than us. They have just experienced the love of God ».
A pilgrimage of the firefighters who ran to Lourdes in 2023?
At the end of the mass, the good Father would have given a big wink, another message to the firefighters of Bastia and Corsica in general: ” Today you came to church to celebrate your patron saint. I therefore take the opportunity to share a project with you, directly to you who are present today, given that my letters sent to your hierarchy have so far remained unanswered. Every year a pilgrimage takes place in Lourdes, a large international gathering of firefighters. But never until today has Corsica honored the invitation made to them on this occasion. In October, we left Corsica in 4 planes to make a magnificent pilgrimage. Firefighters never participate. Now we are “stuck” (laughs). So I officially give you this invitation that I received and leave you until January 15th to position yourself. This international pilgrimage, which will take place from 27 to 1 Aprilis May 2023, is aimed at all firefighters: active, volunteers, JSPs, retirees, families.».
After a last prayer dedicated to Santa Barbe, the Dio Vi Salve Regina sung in the choir concluded this beautiful celebration.
