Saint Albert of Cashel lived during the 8th century and is believed to have been an Englishman who spread the Gospel both in Cashel, Ireland, and in Bavaria. An account of his life from the 12th century describes him as “‘by race an Angle, in speech an angel’ (natione Anglus, conversatione angelus).”
St. Albert made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with St. Erhard, but died in Regensburg on the return journey.
It is reported that he suffered from arthritis in his back and hips and, for that, is listed as one of the many patron saints invoked against arthritis. He is also the patron saint of Cashel, Ireland. His feast day is celebrated on January 8.
Other patron saints against arthritis include St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, St. Hilary of Poitiers, St. James the Greater, and St. Killian. All of these saints are powerful intercessors and can plead for us before God, asking him to relieve us of some of our pain on earth while we await our ultimate home in Heaven.
Here is a little prayer you can offer to St. Albert, or Alphonsus, or any of these:
O Saint (name),you great friend of Christ and servant of Heaven, though suffering this often debilitating pain (a pain it is my privilege to share), you never allowed your effort to flag in serving the Kingdom of God.Please pray for me before Christ Jesus that I too may persevere through this affliction intent on the life and the work God has placed before me, and that my pain might ebb, if possible, or if it cannot, that I might join this suffering to Christ’sfor the sake of the world. Amen. (Elizabeth Scalia)
And today we celebrate...