More about St. Sebastian., whose memorial is today.
When we went to Spain in 2019, I saw several that were more than fully clothed. Two are below.
Left: from the Museo de Bellas Artes in Seville.
Right: from the Greco Museum in Toledo.
This is very interesting:
In the days leading up to January 20, a number of churches in central Kerala are abuzz with activities to honor St. Sebastian. For many Catholics in the region, and some people from other faiths as well, St. Sebastian is regarded as the most powerful heavenly intercessor of all. Prayers to him are considered even more efficacious than those to Jesus and Mary. Accordingly, his parish feasts are among the most elaborate in Kerala, where annual parish feasts are an enormously important part of people’s religious lives.
Why, of all the saints possible, an early Roman martyr-saint would garner that status, particularly in Syro-Malabar (rather than Latin-rite) churches, in areas where the Apostle Thomas himself is said to have evangelized, is a fascinating question…
….During the novena and during the day before the procession, devotees honor St. Sebastian by bringing up small brass arrows on decorative plates, placing the plates in front of him. The parishes usually own the plates and arrows: at statues in the church or its courtyard, people make a small donation and take a plate, which they leave in front of him. Not long after, the plate is cycled back for another devotee to bring forward as an offering. .
….Posters lined the state highway for a kilometer around Muringoor announcing the event, and posters in many village centers around Kanjoor announced their feast. The local lanes were decorated with tinsel, as were many yards. On the day of the feast, a solemn Mass is held in the church to start the events. The church and courtyard rarely hold more than a portion of those involved in the procession, much less the number of people watching it. Immediately following Mass, the procession begins…
More….
By the way, I highly recommend that site – Catholics & Culture. It’s simply excellent and maybe the most educational site you’ll hit today.
Charlotte was Both 