Saint Barbara
Saint Barbara is the patron saint of most gunners throughout the world.
However, like all mythology and traditions over time, the origins of the legend have become blurred between fact, fiction, and rumour.
Gunners celebrate Saint Barbara’s Day annually on the 4th December, the day set aside by the Christian churches’ Calendar of Saints; however, the method of celebration varies significantly depending on the environment and situation, or circumstances in which the relevant artillery unit or association is placed-in at the time.
Even though Saint Barbara’s name no longer appears in the Catholic Universal Calendar of Saints, she is still commemorated on definite days in Roman Martyrology.
Saint Barbara is often depicted in art, and she always carries the palm of a martyr in her hand and, in most cases, she also carries a chalice and sacramental water. She has been represented standing by a tower with three widows; she is also often seen with fire, firearms and lightning beside her.
Legends of Saint Barbara
Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service
On the occasion of Saint Barbara’s Day in 2011, the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service posted on its Website the Legend of Saint Barbara.
Please click on the following Link: Saint Barbara – Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service
Australian Artillery Association
The Australian Artillery Association published on its Website three of the most accepted versions of Saint Barbara and how she came to be the Patron Saint of Artillery.
Please Click on the following Link: Legends of Saint Barbara
United States Field Artillery Association
In its publication titled “How to Conduct a Saint Barbara’s Day Celebration”, the United States Field Artillery Association included as Annex A, the Legend of Saint Barbara.
Please Click on the following Link: US Field Artillery Associaition’s Legend of St Barbara
As with all Artillery Corps, the United States Field Artillery have traditions associated with Saint Barbara’s Day.
To view some of these traditions, Please Click Here: US Field Artillery’s Traditions for St Barbara’s Day
Prayer to Saint Barbara
The Archdiocese for the United States Military Services has circulated The Prayer to Saint Barbara and the Gunners Prayer to Saint Barbara.
To see the Prayers, please click here: Prayer to St Barbara Archdiocese for the United States Military Services
The Ballad of Saint Barbara
The often quoted words: ‘Barbara, Barbara, We may not lose a breath, Be at the bursting doors of doom and in the dark deliver us’ are taken from The Ballad of Saint Barbara and Other Verses written by Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 – 1936), and published by Cecil Palmer, Oakley House Bloomsbury Street W.C.1. London, First Edition 1922.
To read The Ballad of Saint Barbara, Please Click Here: Ballad of Saint Barbara
Saint Barbara: The Artillery School’s Annual Prayer Service
‘Barbara, Barbara,
We may not lose a breath,
Be at the bursting doors of doom and in the dark deliver us’
St Barbara is the Patron Saint of Gunners across the world and her feast day, the 4th of December, is celebrated wherever Gunners gather.
Saint Barbara’s relics are venerated at St Vladimir’s Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine.
On every Saint Barbara’s Day, as Gunners let us pause, recollect, and celebrate the Artillery Corps professional commitment and excellence, its unique legacy, distinctive traditions, steadfast camaraderie, and admirable Esprit de Corps – vital elements of the moral component of artillery power.
The Artillery School’s Annual Prayer Service in honour of Saint Barbara, Patron Saint of The Artillery Corps and Gunners worldwide, takes place on 04 December, in The Artillery School, Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh, County Kildare.
The Statue of Saint Barbara and the Artillery themed ironwork were relocated from Magee Barracks Kildare, which was evacuated, along with Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, Co Cork, in 1998.
Following a welcome by The School Commandant, an overview of Saint Barbara is presented by a School Instructor. Thereafter a Prayer Service is conducted. A wreath is laid on behalf of The Artillery Corps. The ceremony concluded with the firing of the two Miniature Guns by the Ordnance Corps.
Both serving and retired Gunners of all ranks thereafter adjourn to the NCOs’ Mess for an enjoyable reception hosted by The Artillery School.
St Barbara’s Day Traditions in Lebanon
Gunners serving with UNTSO since 1958 and UNIFIL since 1978, will recall fond memories of celebrating Saint Barbara’s Day in “The Leb”
The Feast of St. Barbara, known in Lebanon as “Eid el Berbara,” is celebrated with unique Lebanese customs that honour her escape, resilience, and divine protection.
For an extract of an article on St Barbara’s Day Traditions, please click here: St Barbara Days Traditions in Lebanon
Artillery Club’s Annual Saint Barbara’s Day Greetings
Marking Saint Barbara’s Day on 04 December, on an annual basis the President of the Artillery Club, on behalf of the Committee extends Greetings to all Gunner Officers, serving and retired, especially those who are serving overseas on Peace Support Operations or on the UN, EU, OSCE, NATO/PfP Military Staffs.
To view slide show of the Club’s Greeting Cards from 2015, click on any card
