February 12 | Saint Julian the Hospitaller

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine for a moment that you were told the worst possible news about your future. Imagine a prophecy so dark, so terrifying, that you would leave behind everything you know, your home, your friends, your family, just to make sure it never comes true.

You run to the ends of the earth to escape your fate, only to find that by running, you ran straight into it. It sounds like the plot of a Greek tragedy or a blockbuster movie, doesn't it? But this is actually the legend of a real man, a man who started with a curse and ended with a crown of holiness. This is the absolutely fascinating, slightly terrifying, and ultimately redemptive story of St. Julian the Hospitaller.

Our story takes place a long time ago, roughly in the early 4th century in France. Legend tells us that when Julian was just an infant, a dark curse was placed upon him. It was predicted that one day he would kill his own parents. Can you imagine? It was such a frightening prediction that his father actually wanted the baby killed to prevent it, but his mother, driven by love, protected him.

Julian grew up unaware of this dark cloud over his head, until he learned of the curse as a young man. He was horrified. He loved his parents. And so, to keep them safe, he made a heartbreaking choice. He left his family behind, fleeing far away so he could never hurt them.

He built a new life. He got married, became a wealthy nobleman, and lived in a castle. He thought he was safe. He thought he had outsmarted the curse. But years later, Julian's parents went looking for their lost son. They found his castle while Julian was out hunting. His wife, being a kind and hospitable woman, welcomed the tired travelers. She realized who they were, and gave them the very best room in the castle, Julian's own bed, to rest in.

Meanwhile, out in the woods, Julian was hunting. There, he received a vision from the devil. The devil lied to him, showing him a vision of his wife in bed with another man. Consumed by a sudden jealous rage, Julian rushed home. He stormed into his bedroom, saw two figures sleeping under the covers, and, mistaking his parents for his wife and a lover, he killed them both. It was only after the deed was done that he realized the horror of his mistake. He hadn't killed a rival.

He had fulfilled the very curse he spent his life running from. How do you move forward after that? This is where the saint part of the story begins. Julian didn't run away this time. He was horrified, yes, but he decided to devote the rest of his life to good works to make reparations. He and his wife went on a pilgrimage to Rome, seeking forgiveness. Julian realized that his life had to be about saving lives, not taking them. He used his wealth and energy to build.

He established 25 houses and 7 hospitals in the region. But he didn't just write checks and walk away. He got his hands dirty. He found a spot near a dangerous river where many travelers used to drown while trying to cross. Julian set up a hospital right there. He became a ferryman, spending his days and nights rowing travelers safely across the treacherous water and tending to the sick. He became known as Julian the Hospitaller.

The final test of his redemption is perhaps the most famous part of his legend. One night, it is said, that God sent an angel disguised as a leper to test Julian. Now, in the 4th century, lepers were often outcasts, feared by society. But Julian, the repentant ferryman, didn't turn the stranger away. He took the leper into his home. He offered him warmth. He even gave the leper his own bed, the very place where his life had fallen apart years before. In that moment of radical kindness, the leper revealed his true identity as an angel.

The angel told Julian that his penance was accepted. He knew then that his horrible crime had been forgiven. Because of his life as a ferryman and his dedication to sheltering strangers, St. Julian is the patron saint of ferrymen, innkeepers, hotel industry workers, and travelers looking for lodging. But interestingly, he is also the patron saint of circus performers and carnival workers, perhaps because they are always on the road, always traveling, relying on the kindness of strangers.

Julian's story is intense, dealing with mistakes, anger, and deep regret. But it is also a story about the fact that no mistake is too great to be healed by a lifetime of love and service. So today, look for a way to be hospitable in your own life. It might mean inviting the kid who sits alone at lunch to sit at your table. It might mean giving up the best seat on the couch to your sibling. It might mean simply holding the door for a stranger when you are out and about.

When you offer kindness to a stranger or a friend, remember St. Julian, who carried people across dangerous waters to safety. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.