A Patron Saint For Divorced, Catholic Fathers & Children of Divorce

ST. EUGENE DE MAZENOD

My apologies.  I just realized that when I originally published this post, I got the story wrong.  I thought that St. Eugene was the father but, it turns out, he was the son.  I still believe, though, that he should be the patron saint of divorced fathers because he witnessed what his father went through.  He should ALSO be the patron saint of children of divorce!

If you’re a Catholic dad whose wife left him and, also, left you with financial problems, AND left your children, too…..well, this scenario is not new. St. Eugene De Mazenod knows something of what you’re going through.

Back in 18th century France, the family had to flee the country due to the French Revolution (they were aristocrats and had reason to believe that death by guillotine awaited them). Once the danger passed, his mother left him and his father in Venice and returned to France, then divorced his father, reclaimed her dowry (which her family made sure remained in her name…hmm, one of the first prenuptial agreements?) and sent his father a note saying, “You now have nothing.” (Which goes to show what kind of a mother she was if she considered money to have value but not their son….)

So, there he was in a foreign country with his father and no money. (You see, even though his father was from an aristocratic family, he entered the marriage a poor man.) I’m sure there are many divorced, Catholic men who can understand how he must have felt and the pain and troubles he had to endure.

My point here, though, is that this man…this saint…understands what YOU’RE going through! He’s there for you – talk to him, ask his prayers, guidance and support.

I wish each of you a very Happy Fathers’ Day.
May God bless you & your children and bring you peace.

Manya