In centuries past it was a common Catholic custom to invoke the spiritual assistance of 14 ancient Catholic Saints-mostly martyrs-for help in a host of personal problems: Throat ailments, headaches, stomach and intestinal disorders, epilepsy, storms, traveling, diabolical possession, fire, madness, backache, family troubles, death agony, bites from animals, lightning, sudden death, etc. These 14 Saints became known as "The 14 Holy Helpers," and devotion to them was virtually universal in the Church. Here are the Patron Saints of maidens, mechanics, architects, builders, Christian philosophers, cripples, beggars, women in childbirth, dancers, midwives, physicians, etc. Among the 14 Holy Helpers are St. George, St. Blaise, St. Christopher, St. Denis, St. Margaret, St. Catherine, St. Barbara, etc. This book has a short, inspiring biography of each Saint, followed by the lessons to be learned from his life, plus the principal cares for which he is usually invoked. Devotions and prayers to each Saint complete the book. All in all, The Fourteen Holy Helpers is a work to inspire everyone to invoke these Saints-in order to obtain many favors from Heaven and to link the present age with the earliest centuries of the Church."
