Saint Barbara’s story is a terrible one as are most describing how mere mortals became Saints.

History has it Barbara lived in Syria during the fourth century when it was common to worship many gods.  In her mid-twenties she defied her father, Dioscorus, a wealthy landowner when she became dedicated to worshiping only one God after learning about Christianity from early Christians. Dioscorus could not abide and had her tortured mercilessly to try to encourage her to change her mind. When she would not, he beheaded her himself. Parent of the year I think not! The Lord gave Dioscorus his due, when he was hit by lightning and died shortly afterwards.

This statue of Saint Barbara is in the Cemetery garden at the Old Mission on Laguna Avenue in Santa Barbara, California. The mission was opened by Franciscan Friars on December 4, 1786. St. Barbara’s Feast Day in the Catholic Church calendar.