I was at my local farmers’ market on Saturday when a neighbour walked over to me and blurted out, “Thank God for sunshine this weekend…it’s about time; it’s June 8th you know.”
June 8 …I almost forgot, and Grandma would not be impressed: the eighth day of June is the feast day of St. Medard.
Grandma believed that if it rained on this date, it would rain for 40 more; that takes us to July 18. I should caution you that this shouldn’t be taken literally, but it does imply that the summer would be quite wet. Conversely, a dry Saint Medard Day points to a dry summer.
Who was this man? St. Medard or Medardus was one of the most honoured bishops of his time. Legend has it that when he was a child, Medard was once sheltered from the rain by a large, hovering eagle leading to his patronage of good weather, against bad weather, for people who work outdoors.
With the exception of a few showers over western Newfoundland, there was no rain on Saturday, so I guess the summer will be dry. Too dry is not good – a dry summer means an increased risk of forest fires and, like my dad, the farmer often said: “If it doesn’t rain, we don’t eat.” A good balance would really by ideal. Maybe we could offer up a prayer to St Medard, the patron saint of weather! There is, in fact, prayer you can recite if you feel the urge to try to change the weather. Here it is:
“Jesus My Lord, St Medard served as a bishop during very difficult times, and his long life of spiritual leadership created a tremendous impression on the people. Because of his patronage against bad weather, I ask him to intercede for me during the storms of my life as well as the storms in nature. Protect me and my home. And Lord, help the victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Send in more helpers and multiply the supplies that are needed for their aid. You calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee; deliver us from the storms that are raging around us now. St Medard, pray for us. Amen.”
I’m not sure if it will work for you, but it can’t hurt!
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Cindy Day is the chief meteorologist for SaltWire Network.
