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Saint Erasmus of Formia

Died c.303

Feast Day: June 2

Patronage: sailors, colic in children, intestinal ailments and diseases, cramps and pains of women in labor, cattle pest, Gaeta and Formia, Italy

Saint Erasmus was the Bishop of Formia in Italy who was martyred during the Diocletian persecution. Legend is that when a blue light (a glow from atmospheric electricity known as St. Elmo’s fire) appears on a masthead of a ship before and after a storm, St. Erasmus was protecting the sailors. He is the patron of intestinal and stomach pains because he was tortured by iron hooks that pulled out his intestines. He is one of the 14 Holy Helpers.

Inktober: Precious