Saint criteria is pretty challenging. Not only do saints need to live a life worthy of respect, but they need at least two miracles to their credit, post-death. I consider only two individuals on the 'canonized list' even vaguely appropriate as patron saints for musicians: St. Gregory, who abandoned wealth and respect to become a broke monk (he also fiddled with the church liturgy) and St Cecilia, who sang when she was crucified, beheaded and killed. Neither really seem to have experiences relevant to musicians in general, let alone pianists. Better suited to the job is intercessor Blessed Hildegard von Bingen, who actually was a musician - the only snag is that she is on the almost-but-not-quite-saint list. I've pulled together a list of saints that, while not musicians, may be more effective in addressing causes that aggravate many pianists:
- For money issues: Saint Cajetan, patron saint of unemployment and Saint Regina, patron saint of poor people
- When life happens: Saint Zita of Lucca, patron saint of lost keys, Saint Vitus, patron saint against oversleeping and Saint Bibiana, patron saint of hangovers
- For health concerns: Saint Amalburga, patron saint of arm pain, Saint Ursicinus, patron saint of stiff necks and Saint Clare of Assisi, patron saint against eye disease
- For the swine flu threat: Saint Roch, patron saint against plague
- For staff accompanists: Saint Guy of Anderlecht, patron saint of work horses and Saint Germain Cousin, patron saint of abused people
There are some eerie parallels that can be drawn between career pianists and those canonized as saints. They both often take vows of poverty, spend hours and hours in seclusion and study, and self-flagellate for various reasons (over lack of piety or lack of practicing). That might explain the amount of interest. Or maybe on a subconscious level, pianists are seeking actual patrons.
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