Who watches over us from the Heavens when we travel? We take a non-denominational look at the Transport Spirit World. It is now time to look at some divine transport intervention, delving into the beatified intercedents between travellers and the spiritual realm.
We don’t espouse religion or religiosity on LR. However, recent thinking about the dire straits of UK railways led to my choosing the illustration of Dante’s Nine Levels of Hell in a recent Reconnections Miscellaneous Reads:
I started wondering if there were a patron saint of railways and of other modes of transport. As it turns out, there are a plethora, even one just for steam locomotives. Some saints were killed by their respective technologies, which is quite ironic. Which inventor is not willing to die for their mode of transport – in return for sainthood?
Now, there is a difference between a general purpose Saint, helpful in any situation, and a specialist Patron Saint. The latter advocate for and protect a country, profession, class, occupation, family, and/or, importantly, a travel mode. In addition to Roman Catholicism, patron saints are also recognized in Eastern Orthodox Catholicism, and there is considerable overlap between the saints recognised in Roman, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and others. However, patron saints were and are typically discouraged in most Protestant branches, with many considering it a form of idolatry.
The Intercession of Saints
Praying to a patron saint is akin asking someone to speak to God on your behalf, like a spiritual advocate or agent. The practice of patron saints started with the construction of the first Christians churches in the Roman Empire, most of which were built on the graves of martyrs. The churches were named for the martyrs, and the martyr was then expected to act as an intercessor for the worshippers.
Herein are the official Saints Patron of transport. This post takes no view on religious devotion – it is merely an observation of the overlap and potential interplay of the spiritual, vaporous, human, fossil-fuel, gaseous, electro-mechanical, and electrono-digital worlds.
Saint Christopher – Patron Saint of Travellers
St Christopher’s sainthood is based on his, allegedly, having carried the baby Jesus across a river. As such he is the generic Patron Saint for travellers. I’ll leave his travelling bio and preferred mode as an exercise for the reader. He is also Saint Patron of Truck Drivers, who should probably be discouraged from taking their vehicles directly through rivers.
There is also a cabinet full of saints for different travel modes. Some have large portfolios, like Saint Christopher, whilst others are specialists, for particular modes of transport.
Railways
Saint Montague – Patron Saint of Railways
Montague was the abbot of a monastery, but died when he was hit by a locomotive. This is likely another of the Catholic Church’s canonisations to keep up with new transport technologies.
Saint Galthus – Patron Saint of Steam Engines
Not be confused with Saint Montague, Saint Galthus is the patron of steam engines. Having run the Pope’s private rail line, he was martyred by a faulty boiler. His body was found to be incorruptible after death and he was duly canonized. Although, it is said his Pope just really loved trains.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria – Patroness Saint of Railway Workers
Catherine was a 4th century martyr, was well educated, and is also the patron saint of philosophers and preachers. It is not clear why she was anointed Patroness Saint of Railway Workers, although the social media posts of some railway workers do point to a degree of philosophising and preaching.
Maritime
St Brendan the Navigator – Patron Saint of Mariners, Boaters, Divers, & Operators of Self-Propelled Watercraft
St Brendan is said to have undertaken a seven year sea journey, in which some think he actually reached Newfoundland and/or other points in the New World, apparently inspiring Christopher Columbus. He has others in his patronage portfolio, being kayakers, canoers, and divers.
Saint Nicholas – Another Patron Saint of Sailors
Whilst Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus in civilian life, is a Patron Saint of children, he is also one of the Patron Saints for sailors in other parts of the world. This gives him something to do when not delivering seasonal gifts.
Saint Clement – Patron Saint of Mariners in Storms
He is a specialist, protecting seafarers against gales and storms. If you be having trouble in calm seas, he’s not your guy.
Saint Elmo alias Erasmus – Patron Saint of Sailors
After having performed baptisms, he drew the attention of a Roman emperor who had him coated in pitch and set alight, which he survived. These elements were likely what led to his name being given to the electrical charges at the top of ship masts – St Elmo’s Fire – which were considered a sign of his protection. As a result, Elmo/Erasmus was considered patron saint of sailors. Erasmus’ patronage portfolio also includes stomach aches (presumably including sea-sickness), stomach ailments (ditto), and labour pains.
Our Lady of Navigators – Patron Saint of Navigators
Our Lady of Navigators – also known as Our Lady of Seafarers – is the devotional title of the Virgin Mary by Roman Catholics. She is also considered the patron saint of fishermen and sailors praying for a safe return home.
Saint Francis of Paola – Yet Another Patron Saint of Mariners
His speciality is being patron saint of boatmen and naval officers. Perhaps it is the uniforms.
Saint Phocas the Gardener – Also a Patron Saint for Sailors
Another patron saint of sailors, standing by to take your call when not tending to the needs of the green-fingered. He is perchance a backup saint – a bench depth guy?
Saint Barbara – Patron Saint of UK’s Royal Navy
She is also the spiritual advocate of armourers, artillerymen, and military engineers. We’ll meet her again later – she covers many under her aegis.
Flight
St Joseph of Cupertino – Patron Saint of Pilots, Aviators, Aviation, & Astronauts
Assigned protector of pilots, aviation, and later, astronauts (as well as those with learning impairments, test taking, and students) due to accounts of his levitation during prayer. He is also known as “the Flying Friar”. St Joseph is the patron saint of engineers, but apparently not the kind of engineers who drive locomotives.
If he also be the patron saint of a large computer company based in Cupertino, California (Apple Inc.), this has not been disclosed due to commercial confidentiality.
Saint Bona of Pisa – Patroness Saint of Travelers, Couriers, Guides, & Flight Attendants
She completed the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage nine times, offering help and first aid to pilgrims and travellers.
Our Lady of Loreto – Patroness Saint of Pilots, Flight Attendants, and Aviation Workers
Her sainthood is based on the legend that the house of the Virgin Mary was miraculously flown by angels from Palestine to Loreto, Italy in the 13th century. Pope Benedict XV declared her the patron saint of all aviators in 1920. And her protection is deemed to extend to anyone working in aviation, including engineers, dispatchers, and schedulers.
Saint Barbara – Patroness Saint of Helicopter Pilots & Engineers
Saint Barbara (qv) is also the patron saint of explosives, due to her father & executioner having been struck by lightning during her martyrdom. It is not clear how these relate to her patron status for helicopter pilots however.
St. Therese of Lisieux – Saint Patron of French Pilots
Her life had no association with flying, but she became popular during World War I with French soldiers even before she had been canonized. She became a particular favourite of French pilots in their Spads and Nieuports.
Land Vehicles
St Elias/Elijah – Patron Saint of Cars and other Vehicles
His coverage extends to any mode of land transportation – motorcycles, skateboards, baby carriages, skates, wagons, bicycles, tricycles and chariots, etc. He shares this protection with St Christopher; there is a lot of traffic to keep an eye on.
St Philip – Patron Saint of Vehicles
Bolstering the team of traffic-related saints, an Ethiopian eunuch gave Philip a ride in his chariot, whomst Philip converted to Christianity for this trouble.
St Frances of Rome – Patroness Saint of Car Drivers
Santa Francesca Romana lived from 1384 to 1440, long before cars. Married to an aristocrat, she found doing charitable works more satisfying than feasting and hosting parties. Frances would often go to town to give food to the poor and visit the sick, oftentimes out late. The claim is that when she was travelling alone in the dark, an angel would light the way before her, keeping her protected. Because of her many safe trips, Pope Pius XI declared her patroness of automobile drivers in 1925. More likely, there was a need for a saint for this new mode of travel which was already killing drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Saint John the Baptist – Patron Saint of Roads and Road Workers
This should also include Italy’s Umarell, who are retirem men who spend their time watching construction sites, especially roadworks, with hands clasped behind their back and offering unwanted advice to the workers. Some Umarell are now paid to watch over construction sites off hours to deter theft.
Saint Fiacre – Patron Saint of Taxi and Delivery Drivers
Paris, circa 1650. The Hotel de Saint-Fiacre started hiring out carriages for customers. In time, cabs also congregated there, and both started to be called ‘fiacres’. This name later led to cabbies adopting Saint Fiacre as their spiritual Patron.
Saint Columbanus – Patron Saint of Motorcyclists
It is suggested that Columbanus was annointed the patron of motorcyclists because of his extensive travels through Europe.
Saint Sebastian – Patron Saint of Cyclists
Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of archers, pin-makers, and in his modern association, athletes. Somehow, cyclists have also claimed him as their spiritual protector. Such are the mysterious ways of sainthood.
Saint Peter – Patron Saint of Ship Builders, Cobblers, & Those with Foot Problems
St Peter is another one of those saints with a large portfolio of places, occupations, and causes under his patronage. A former fisherman, he is the patron saint of fishermen and shipbuilders. On an individual mobility level, he is also the patron saint of cobblers and those with foot problems.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini – Patron Saint of Parking
Whilst formally being the patron saint of immigrants, she is also unofficially, and anecdotally, recognized as an effective saint to call upon to find a parking space. In the unofficial tradition of using rhyming prayers in requesting intercession: “Mother Cabrini, Mother Cabrini, please find a spot for my little machinery.”
Civils
St Dominic de la Calzada – Patron Saint of Civil Engineers
He worked on building bridges and paved causeways to help pilgrims in Spain – calzada means causeway in Spanish.
St Bénézet – Patron Saint of Bridge Builders
Bénézet saw a vision during the eclipse of 1177 that propelled him to build a bridge over the River Rhône at Avignon. He built the bridge single-handedly, as church and civil authorities refused to help him, thus becoming an early advocate for community based transport planning.
Saint Barbara – Patroness Saint of Tunnellers and Mining Engineers
Saint Barbara, as we’ve already seen, covers some of the classical elements: fire, water, and air. As dynamite was essential for the construction of many tunnels, she has often been invoked to protect diggers and mine engineers in such dangerous work, and so is also the patron saint of miners. And by extension the patron saint of railway tunnels and tunnellers. Hence she covers the fourth classical element – earth.
From the 1500s miners prayed to her to protect them from underground dangers. To this day, tunnels under construction often have a small alcove in which a small statue of her is placed, for her divine protection. The medieval miners also named digging equipment after women in her honour, and this tradition is still followed to the present – tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are still given female names.
Saint Rita – Patron Saint of Impossible Feats
Taking this in the political and project management rather than the physical meaning, this saint is the saint for public transport construction program managers and executives in the Hail Mary (or Hail Rita) hope that it might help.
Well what about St Pancras?
You might be thinking, wait, what about St Pancras? Is he not the Patron Saint of railway stations?
Sadly, no. Although St Pancras is a patron saint, it is of children, especially orphans, and he is also invoked against cramps, headaches, false witness, and perjury. In Spain, St Pancras is venerated as the patron saint of jobs and health. No railway link at all.
Pancras was a Roman boy of 14 who converted to Christianity and refused to denounce it, so was beheaded in 304 CE outside Rome. A basilica was built there 200 years later by Pope Symmachus, and later Pope Gregory the Great canonised St Pancras. St Augustine brought this devotion to England with the Romans, where many parishes were dedicated to him, including outside the City of London. This ancient church site is next to St Pancras Station. So St Pancras was in the right place, in the right century.
The Catholics have a really deep bench of saints to draw upon, given the church’s almost two millennia of existence, and has long been willing to canonize more to keep up with the latest technology.
Patron Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church split from the Roman Catholic Church in the Great Schism of 1054. Nonetheless, there is still considerable overlap between the saints recognised by these major church branches. For instance, St Nicholas the General Purpose travel saint (as well as specifically for sea travellers) spans the schism comfortably.
Nevertheless, there is a real paucity of uniquely Eastern Orthodox transport patron saints:
- St John the Russian – Patron Saint of Transport, Autos, and Buses
- St Niphon – Patron Saint for Safety at Sea
Furthermore, there is a distinct lack of specialist saints, as well as a dearth of for more recent travel modes like aircraft.
Secular Saints of Transport Technology
Some inventors and engineers create or develop such a radically new transport technology that they are considered by some (transport geeks, to be fair – not a slight) to be saints.
Alexander Graham Bell – Patron Saint of Hydrofoils
Whilst not the first to invent the hydrofoil, he was the first to develop one that operated at high speed. We have investigated their evolution passenger hydrofoils on the Thames and their demise. He is also unofficial the Patron Saint of Telephones, obviously.
Rostislav Alekseyev – Patron Saint of Ekranoplans and Ground Effect Aircraft
We traced their evolution from hydrofoils. Unfortunately, large ekranoplans did not survive him for long. A few of his designs flew into the first couple years of post-Soviet Russia, but were then mothballed due to lack of funding. Nonetheless, Russia and the US have floated proposals for reviving the mode, mostly for long distance military logistics. A few start up aviation companies have also proposed smaller passenger versions, but these remain proposals, notwithstanding a few scaled down proof-of-concept prototypes.
Thomas Rammell – Patron Saint of Pneumatic Railways
Engineer Thomas Rammell had a single-minded obsession with pneumatic railways, beginning with his London Pneumatic Despatch Railway that we looked at a few years back. This seems more like a case for Saint Jude, the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes.
Antonio Gaudí – Patron Saint of Trams
Architect Antonio Gaudí was struck & killed by a tram right next to his under-construction La Sagrada Familia Basílica. Unfortunately he looked quite dishevelled, so passersby thought he was a bum, and he didn’t get the medical help that could have saved his life. I don’t believe he’s been canonized. I’ve included him in the non-Saint listing due to his outstanding genius as an architect.
St Job – Patron Saint of Segways
This is the character from the Arrested Development television series, a failed magician who used his Segway to travel everywhere. He was the epitome of the uselessness of this technology (except for niche applications).
Saint Harriet – Patron Saint of the Underground Railroad
Some Anglicans consider Harriet Tubman a saint, as she was the conductor of the Underground Railroad in the US. Whilst not a physical railroad, but more a concept, Harriet deserves inclusion.
St Arbucks – Patron Saint of Roadside Cafes
Helping early morning and long haul drivers alike stay awake, this saint is a recent secular canonisation, and is extremely popular.
Great Western Railway 2900 Saints Class Locomotives
Various British steam locomotives were named individually after Saints. However the GWR went one step further and named the entire Saints Class 2900 after Saints and Ladies.
Muslim Walis (Saints)
There is no Islamic institution for nominating or canonizing saints, such as in the Roman Catholic Church. But there are some Muslims who are considered by many to be especially pious servants of Allah, whomst other Muslims call a wali, effectively a saint.
More traditionally, the “Saint” entry in the Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān, published by Georgetown University, states that a saint is someone “marked by [special] divine favor… [and] holiness”, specifically “chosen by God and endowed with exceptional gifts, such as the ability to work miracles”. However, such individuals tend not to be known or classified by the grouping of people they have helped, nor are seen as protecting any particular group, as is typically the case with Catholic saints.
Buddhist Bodhisattvas
A bodhisattva is a wise, compassionate person who works for the enlightenment of all beings, not just themselves. So not a direct equivalent to a Christian saint, but a human of spiritual qualities. The only boddhisatva that deals with travellers is Jizo (Japanese name), whomst is believed to provide protection for travellers (as well as for children and foetuses). This bodhisattva is known Ksitigarbha in other countries.
Transport Dieties of the Ancient World
The Ancient World was replete with deities who were believed to guard the fate of travellers. Nonetheless, we have not included gods or deities, who are higher up the religious organisational chart than mere saints, who are mere mortals sanctified for their holy deeds. It is akin to the difference between the officer class and enlisted men and women.
Note that spiritual transport itself, saintly and otherwise, is (far) outside the scope of this article.
If you know of other Saints or reasonable facsimilies, especially from other religions, please do add them in the comments.
If there be sufficient interest from the transport pews and railway cathedrals in an examination of transport gods and goddesses from polytheistic religions, please do leave a comment. There might perchance be a sequel article, if the Transport Gods command.
Spiritual Fine Print
- This post is intended for informational, edificational, and entertainment purposes only – not for religious conversion, nor promotion of any other church, sect, or religion. No persuasion, proselytizing, sermonising, preaching, or conversion is intended. Nevertheless, we invoke a spiritual injunction against any claims of harm.
- London Reconnections is strictly non-denominational, non-political, and mostly mode agnostic. Nevertheless, we consider gadgetbahns and monorails as the Work of the Devil and shall not contenance them being spoken about.
- Thanks to writer Anne Thériault for the divine inspiration for this post.
- Artist Antonio Riello created the aircraft and rocket for a fictional Vatican Air Force, as well as Army and Navy. This is not as nuts as it sounds, as the Knights Hospitaller Crusaders actually had a sizeable Air Force after World War 2.
- Headline image is the Patron Saint of Women Who Don’t Want to Talk on Transit, by Alina Silaeva.
