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When The Saints Go Marching In
By Aileen McInnis
 A cursory check of the internet reveals multiple entries claiming that Gambrinus is considered the "unofficial patron saint of beer." He is actually was not a saint at all, though it seems the reverence hold for him in the hops department seems to be well justified. Gambrinus was not a saint, but he was a legendary king in Flanders, probably most likely to be John, Duke of Burgundy in the late 1300s and early 1400s who some belive to be the inventor of hopped malt beer. He is often pictured in kingly garb or as a knight, as he always has a stein in his hand and a smile on his face. Because of his significance, many European and North American brewers have adopted his name or logo as part of their beer brands. The Krewe of Gambrinus, having been birthed by worthy brewers, follow in this tradition.
Okay, there you have it. Gambrinus is the unofficial patron saint of beer, but certainly not the real thing. You just can't throw around the title of patron saint. You must have lived a worthy life and have a miracle or two attributed to your intercession. Gambrinus is a fine, mortal who has achieved immortality in the hearts of fine beer drinkers, and in the Krewe of Homer, but he's not a saint. So that still leaves the question --- who is the real deal?
That honor is reserved for St. Arnold.
 St. Arnold-official patron saint of brewers
Saint Arnold is recognized by the Catholic Church as the Patron Saint of Brewers. He was born in Austria in 580. Even back in those days the Austrians were famous for their love of beer, and admired for their beer making skill.
Arnold entered the priesthood as a young man and worked his way up to Bishop of Metz, in France. He is said to have spent his life warning peasants about the health hazards of drinking water, since it wasn't that safe to drink during the Dark Ages.
Beer, on the other hand, was quite safe. Arnold frequently pointed this out to his congregation. He is credited with having once said, "From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world." Oh yeah. That's one way to get people to go to Church. He died in 640 and was buried at a monastery near Remiremont, France.
In 641, the citizens of Metz requested that Saint Arnold's body be exhumed and carried from the monastery to the town of Metz for reburial in their local church. Along the way, the procession stopped for a rest and went into a tavern for a bit of beer. Much to their dismay, they were informed that there was only one mug of beer left, and that they would have to share it. That mug never ran dry and the thirsty crowd was satisfied.
Every Saint needs a miracle. That's how the Church decides you are a Saint. The story of the miracle mug of beer spread and eventually Arnold was canonized by the Catholic Church for it and designated as the Patron Saint of Brewers.
Who Are the other Patron Saints of Mardi Gras?
That got me thinking about who are all these Saints that keep marching in during Mardi Gras and New Orleans celebrations? The Catholic Church designates patron saints to intercede on the behalf of us here on earth, but I like to think of them as persons of inspiration. I did some research and discovered that there are no official patron saints oversee the traditions and fun of Mardi Gras. No surprise there. But there are some very worthy choices that I would like to suggest for the various duties and responsibilities. Here are my nominations.
 Saint Cecelia, Patron Saint of Music, Musicians, Brass Bands, and Accordion Players
Saint Cecelia has got to be the shoe-in for the patron saint of brass bands and accordion players, since she is already the patron saint of music and musicians in general.
I love this representation of St. Cecelia by artist Margaret Morrison. It reminds me of all the members of the Bossy Pants Brass band and the lovely Bossy Panty Twirlers who will be marching in the parade in Homer. Margaret Morrison is an artist who portrays an exuberant Saint Cecilia that one critic described as a "voluptuous heroine, silver bodied and blowing on a giant brass sousaphone … marching across a desert under a cloud-filled blue sky, bursting with light." That's what I'm talking about!
So it seems that St. Cecelia is a grand candidate to over see the music of the season, the guide brass bands in their journey down the street, and intercede on the behalf of accordion players who have gone astray and can't find their way back...
St. Lucy, Patron Saint of Eyes, Light and of Mardi Gras Masks and Flambeaux Carriers
Again, I'm struck by the artistry of Margaret Morrison who portrayed St. Lucy in a way that makes her a natural.
Morrison's portrait of a pretty, green-haired young woman in a sexy black evening dress called "St. Lucy" gives thought to nominating St Lucy as the Patron Saint of Masks "I put her in gothic attire," Morrison says, "to go along with the Mardi Gras theme. She holds a feathered mask with eyes because St. Lucy was martyred by having her eyes gouged out, for staying true to her religion." St Lucy, or St Lucia is also the inspiration for the Swedish holiday in December where the youngest daughter in the family puts a crown of lighted candles on her head and brings fresh cinnamon rolls to the entire family. I say that makes her appropriate for the flambeaux, the torch carriers for the nighttime Mardi Gras parades. Watch your eyes, though, fellas!
Saint Honorius of Amiens, France. Patron Saint of Chefs, Bakers, Pastry and of King Cake
I nominate St Honorius as the Patron Saint of King Cakes partly because he really is the Patron Saint of Bakers, but mostly because he is French, and the French are wild about King Cakes. C'est Bon!
 Saint Lawrence of Spain, Patron Saint of Cooks, Vintners, Restaurateurs, and of Gumbo Makers
Even though Louisiana is a very Catholic region, I couldn't find a straight out patron saint of gumbo making. (I did find out the Louis IVX-- St. Louis -- is the Patron Saint of New Orleans which is cool. ) But a bit of research uncovered St. Lawrence, whose extraordinary story makes me nominate him for the job. He was a very devout early Christian and when the unbelievers came looking for wealthy Christians to put to death and steal their fortunes, well, they found Lawrence.
Some legends say he was beheaded, but the most persistent, if untrue, legend says that he was tortured by his captors by being lashed to a large grill and slow roasted over a fire. When the torturers continued to question him about other wealthy Christians they could fleece, instead of giving up his fellow believers, Lawrence was reported to say, "You should turn me over, I'm not done yet." Well, I don't believe that story for an instant, but because of his faith and steadfast belief, he has been declared the patron saint of cooks, kitchen suppliers, vintners and restaurateurs. He died from being grilled to death in Spain 10, August 258. Mi dios! A man with that kind of faith, fortitude and tolerance for heat in the kitchen I think is quite qualified to over see the making of a black roux. Patron Saint of Gumbo, he is!
 St George Patron Saint of Soldiers, Scouts, Men on Horseback, and the Courir de Mardi Gras
Saint George is a very early figure in the church, having died in 304 and is also a very popular saint in Europe. He is the patron saint of soldiers, of Scouts and of horseback riders, which makes him the perfect patron saint of the riders of the Courir de Mardi Gras. If you remember from The Beaded Shoe, The Courir de Mardi Gras is the Cajun celebration where men, dressed in rag tag clothes of royalty, wire masks, and large conical hats ride through the countryside begging for chickens, rice, sausage and peppers in which to make into a large community pot of gumbo (See Saint Lawrence). The riders often put on a comical display as they chase the chickens around the yard, and sing distinctive songs of the season as they ride through the countryside. I think St. George is definitely their man!
Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals and Birds, including Chickens.
Turnabout is fairplay. If St. George is overseeing the well being of the riders of the Courir de Mardi Gras, some one else must be looking out over the chickens who are running the danger of getting tossed in the gumbo pot. That kind person, of course, would be the gentle St. Francis of Assisi who is considered the patron saint of all animals, including birds, which includes chickens. Even though Mambozo* is a practioner of Santaria, I happen to know as a fact that he wears a St. Francis medal just to cover all the bases.
*Don't know who Mambozo is? Dude, you got to read the Killer Rubboard novels!
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