Saint Podcast Eric Huang

This is a special episode inspired by an exhibition at the National Gallery in London entitled, Saint Francis of Assisi, featuring a special guest, curator Dr Joost Joustra. Presenting the art and imagery of Saint Francis from the 13th century to today, the exhibition looks at why this saint is a figure of enormous relevance to our time due to his spiritual radicalism, commitment to the poor, and love of God and nature, as well as his powerful appeals for peace, and openness to dialogue with other religions. It’s an incredible exhibition that explores the life of an enormously popular saint through some of the earliest Medieval depictions, manuscripts written in Francis’ hand, a tunic that the saint wore, modern-day films – and even a Marvel comic book! The Art of Saint Francis is a special Saint Podcast episode about the way art has shaped our understanding of the poverello from Assisi.

Episode 4 is about Saint Barbara, a maiden who was locked in a tower by her father - and one of the many legendary inspirations behind the fairytale Rapunzel. She's the patron saint of firefighters, Lebanon, lightning, mathematicians, and numerous military artillery units. Find out why Saint Barbara is the patron of explosions. Discover the pre-holiday festivals celebrated in her honour. Tune in to this episode to hear about Saint Barbara's guise as powerful male Afro-Caribbean god of thunder - and also her guise a Disney Princess.

Episode seven is about an Egyptian queen. She’s noted for being the brightest mind of her generation and is therefore the patron saint of scholars, students, lawyers, educators, librarians, philosophers, and theologians. This saint’s icon is a spiked wheel, the implement of torture her tormentor, the Roman Emperor, attempted - unsuccessfully - to inflict upon her. Her legend has inspired dating customs involving elaborate hats, moved the poet Emily Dickinson, and engendered a Baltic winter festival. She’s also one of a handful of saints who were married to Jesus Christ. Her wedding was presided over by a figure the angels declared to be 'the Empress of Hell'. This is the story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria the Virgin Bride.

This is a preview of the bonus episode, created for Patreon and Spotify subscribers, about a saint who, according to Pope Benedict XVI, ‘exercised a fundamental influence on the development of European civilisation and culture’. Indeed, the rule for religious men this saint wrote in the 6th century has been the template for nearly every monastic order in Europe, either embraced by their founders or imposed on them by the Church. Despite his significance to the unfolding story of Christianity and European history, very little is known about him. The earliest surviving sources are a 33-couplet poem in Latin and a few chapters in a four-book collection of hagiographies called Dialogues written by Pope Gregory the Great. This is the story of Saint Benedict the Godfather of Monasticism.

To listen to the full episode, support us on Patreon or subscribe via Spotify.

In celebration of Pride Month is a special episode inspired by an exhibition at the Manchester Art Gallery entitled, Derek Jarman Protest! – a major retrospective of the work created by one of the most influential figures in 20th-century British culture. This episode features artist Jez Dolan and curator Fiona Corridan from the Manchester Art Gallery. It explores the adoption by the queer community of one of the most popular saints in history - and Derek Jarman’s role in shaping the modern image and story of the Roman warrior, Medieval plague saint, and gay icon: Saint Sebastian.

Episode three in the Mystics series is about one of the most influential figures in Medieval Europe, She was a 12th-century author composer, theologian, author, naturalist, visionary, and exorcist. She began life as an oblate, a child who was donated irrevocably to the church by her wealthy parents, sealed up in a cell for life. How she emerged to become one of the most sought after advisors to bishops, kings, and popes is incredible, especially so given the stringent restrictions that greatly narrowed the possibilities open for women. Her tale is one of amazing triumph - and also one of heartbreak over the departure of her beloved nun, Richardis. This is the story of Saint Hildegard of Bingen the Mystical Polymath.