Wikipedia Trail: From Saint Juliana to Indulgences

Juliana of Nicomedia: I started with this article because I really enjoyed reading about the female saints and found their stories so compelling. Saint Juliana is the martyr who was killed because she refused to marry a man who wasn't a christian.  According to this article, she is recognized by both Latin and Greek churches, but is particularly venerated in the Netherlands as the saint of sickness.

Saint Barbara: This saint's story is very similar to that of Saint Juliana. However, the accuracy of her story is so doubted that she was removed from the Roman calendar in 1969. Due to the lightning that killed her fire, she is associated with protection from lightning and fire and the patron saint of artillerymen.

Fourteen Holy Helpers: These are fourteen saints who are believed to be particularly strong helpers against  illness. The idea of this group of saints was created in the 14th century with the rise of the bubonic plague in the Rhineland. It started with three virgin martyrs: Saint Barbara, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine.

Painting of the Fourteen Helpers.
Restored and photographed by Alois Lieberwein Source: Wikimedia

Indulgences:  In the Catholic church, it is believed that there are punishments for sins. Indulgences are a way of lessening the punishment of a sin. At one point there were indulgences when one showed devotion to the Fourteen Helpers, but those no longer apply.