Saint Expedite

Saint Expedite is the Patron Saint of the Republic of Molossia. He is also the patron of emergencies and solutions to those emergencies. He is traditionally depicted as a Roman soldier, holding a palm leaf in his left hand, and raising a cross with the word "Hodie" (today) on it. His right foot is stepping on a raven, which is speaking the word "Cras" (tomorrow).

Expedite is venerated in Europe and strongly in Latin America. Specifically, Saint Expedite is well-known in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Brazil. Brazil has ceremonies in São Paulo and crowds attending ceremonies to mark his April 19 feast day can reach in the hundreds of thousands. Other areas of remarkable popularity include: the French island of Réunion, Chile and New Orleans, La. 

His day of the week is Wednesday or Thursday

His candle colors are yellow and red 

His number is 5 

Saint Expedite may be petitioned for settling disputes, to curse, to overcome an enemy, and for pressing cases where things need to change quickly or for rapid solutions to problems. Two of his most well know areas of expertise are in matters of finance and money, as well as in all legal matters and court cases. It is said that he was called upon in Italy to assist with overdue legal matters in ancient times. He is also petitioned by those who wish to avoid or put an end to delays, as well as to overcome procrastination within themselves. In some areas of the world he is considered a Patron of shopkeepers and sailors. Saint Expedite also offers special assistance to dealers of all sorts (sellers of goods), students, and those who must undergo important exams. Some modern practitioners and theorists have suggested that he is also the Patron Saint of technology, the internet and computers. It remains to be seen if this later correspondence will take root. 

The association with technology and communication is logical since many associate Saint Expedite with Wednesday and the planet Mercury (this day is ruled by Mercury). Mercury is the messenger God of the Romans. Expeditus is often syncretized with that ancient deity as well as being symbolized by the metal quicksilver. Quicksilver is the  liquid elemental Mercury.  

The veneration of Saint Expedite has been around at least since the Middle Ages, but perhaps longer. Expeditus was included in Geronimian Martyrologies since the 5th century. The Geronimian Martyrologies is the one of the most used and influential records of martyrs from the middle ages. It is considered the Martyrology which all later Western lists were derived from and is considered the oldest existing Martyrology. 

Information concerning Expeditus is also found in the Hieronymian Martyrology, where he appears as one of six Roman soldiers said to have been executed at Melitene during the Diocletian persecution. If he stationed at Melitene at the beginning of the fourth century, he would likely have been a member of the Legio XII Fulminata: a legion of the Imperial Roman army which was originally levied by Julius Caesar in 58 BC and which accompanied him during the Gallic Wars until 49 BC. 

The Saint has withstood the test of time surviving an attack from within the Holy Roman Catholic Church. At the beginning of the 20th century several bishops worked hard in an attempt to eradicate the Saint’s following. Their concern was that Saint Expedite’s many followers were in a position which could splinter the church. Obviously the attempt at abolishing the so-called “cult” of St. Expedite failed. 

Given that "Expeditus" is Latin for a soldier without a marching pack, it is often suggested that this Saint may be symbolic of an individual known by his profession. For more than a millennium, Saint Expedite remained obscure. During the Middle Ages, he was venerated in the area of Turin, Italy. In 1781 he was declared the patron saint in the Sicilian town of Acriale. Then, during the seventeenth and eighteenth century, his cult began to blossomed in Germany before spreading elsewhere.  

According to legend, Expeditus was a Roman centurion in Armenia who became a Christian and was beheaded during the Diocletian Persecution in AD 303. The only other known facts are the day of his martyrdom (19th April) and the place of his death (Melitene - nowadays Malatya, Turkey). 

It is said that the day Saint Expedite decided to become a Christian, the Devil took the form of a crow (a snake in some versions of the legend) and told him to defer his conversion until the next day. Expeditus stamped on the bird and killed it, declaring, "I'll be a Christian today!" It has been said that very early Catholic priests may have used St. Expedite’s image with his cross and crow in an advertising campaign to warn pagans not to put off until tomorrow the conversion that could be accomplished today

The question has often arisen, why do we venerate Saints and other figures who are reported to have fought against Paganism and for Christianity. In my opinion a more appropriate question would be. why does the Saint answer us? As mere humans we can only know what we can know. Although we are spirits having a human experience, our knowledge is limited to this human experience. Just as we Spiritualists believe that we are of the Spirit, so too are the Saints of the Spirit (among others). Perhaps it is part of their job to assist us after death, perhaps it is in continuum with their own Spiritual evolution. One thing is for sure, it is not only those within the traditional Catholic church who have access to the intervention of the Saints and it is not only in the traditional belief system of the church in which they are willing to lend that assistance. I prefer not to waste my time with questions that have only theories and no answers, and instead to gather my own experiences. 

As far as colloquial mythology and dedication are concerned, there are similar stories which occurred around the world. Such an account is set in France in 1781. Here, a convent received a package from Rome containing a statue and relics of a saint. They were unsure to whom the Holy Remains belonged. The package in which it came was marked “spedito” or “special delivery,” which in Latin translates to Expeditus. The nuns assumed that "Expédit" (in French) was the name of a martyr, and prayed for his intercession. When their prayers were answered veneration spread rapidly through France and on to other Roman Catholic countries. Whether the relics actually belong to the Armenian martyr or the sisters were just confused by the way the wording on the package is unknown. 

Likewise, in New Orleans there are two legends: one originating from the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe and one originating from the Chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua. The chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua was originally built as a funeral mortuary for yellow fever victims and is today St. Louis Cathedral. While outfitting the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the priests ordered from Spain a large and beautiful statue of the Virgin. Many months later, by ship, they received TWO crates instead of one. The first crate contained the commissioned statue of Mary. However, the unexpected second crate, bore the legend EXPEDITE on the outside. When this was opened they found the statue of a Roman centurion. Without context or communication they assumed the shipping instructions to be the name of the Saint who was a Roman Centurion. Saint Expedite stands today in that same church on Rampart Street in the Crescent City which is the International Shrine of Saint Jude. It dates from 1826 when it was built as a funeral chapel for yellow fever victims. Expédit still figures prominently in Louisiana folklore and is revered through amulets, flowers, candles, and intercessory prayers. Here the Saint's name is regularly mentioned with gratitude in the personal column of the local paper, alongside that of Saint Jude. Interestingly, it is said that in folk practices unique to the city of New Orleans, Saint Expedite is a member of the three “miracle workers” - the other two being Saint Jude and Saint Roch. 

Expédit has a significant folk following on the French island of Réunion off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. Stories about the origin of his veneration follow the same familiar pattern of a mysterious package. However, regional mythology states that Expédit acquired his name through assisting supplicants in placing vengeful curses. It is said that decapitated statues of the saint are often found, the defacement inflicted in anger for a request not carried out, or in order to break an existing curse. 

The road-side altars dedicated to Saint Expedite in Réunion are quite famous and beautiful. They can be as small as a box or crate containing miniature statuary, or as large as a hut acting as a mini chapel and containing all that comes with it. In all cases, these altars are painted a bright red. Also common are ex-votos (offerings) thanking Expédit for wishes granted and favors received.

In Réunion, the cult of Saint Expédit has been syncretic, with Roman Catholicism absorbing other beliefs from Madagascar or India. Here, Saint Expedite is a popular Saint, revered by Reunionnais regardless of age or religion. The veneration of Expédit is officially considered taboo so people do not generally visit the altars in the open. However, the altars are have widespread prominence and are obviously well-tended by many. 

San Expedito’s veneration in Chile centers around the coastal city of Vina del Mar, popular because of its beach on the Pacific. It seems that a pious woman visiting the city, who had great devotion to the saint, wanted to build a small church there in his honor. When she petitioned the local Church authorities for permission, it was rejected. However, she and her friends prayed to Saint Expedite for acceptance, and the local authorities relented and had the church built.

Modern American Folk Practices with Saint Expedite 

It is well known that Saint Expedite is a trickster spirit. While many claim these characteristics actually come from synchronization with African sprits and those of the African diaspora, folk practitioners from a large variety of backgrounds are said to experience his idosyncracities. Thus it is recommended to follow a certain formula when petitioning this Saint or working with him. 

Most people recommend that you do not give him any offerings other than a candle or glass of water until after your wishes or needs come to fruition. However, just as with all the saints and sprits, I recommend building a relationship based upon respect and trust. Therefore, I suggest giving him some offerings in advance and then some additional (perhaps larger) offerings as a special thanks after the fact. 

It is also commonly said that Saint Expedite will reverse what he has given you or take back everything and then some if he does not receive a promised payment or an offering of some sort. Therefore, be prepared to treat him well and always follow through on anything promised. Generally speaking, I do not recommend the system of promising a reward in return for a favor, this is not a transaction - it is a relationship. However, if you insist upon working that way - then please be sure to follow through. It is also said that you MUST be sure to announce or give public credit for his intercession on your behalf. 

Common Offerings: 

A red candle, 5 pennies, 5 pieces of poundcake (many say it must be Sarah Lee), a red rose, a glass of red wine, a public tribute or newspaper announcement. 

It is also said that a very specific formula must be followed for the physical elements of working with the Saint. You may use either a statue or a prayer card. A glass of water is placed to the left of the image (as you are facing it) and a red candle or plain offertory or novena candle is placed in the center and to the rear of the water and image. These items form a triangle with the image on your right. 

You may also use a candle with the image of the Saint. In this case the glass of water is placed to the left of the candle and the two are simply side by side. However, you could also offer a plain red stick candle to the back center forming the traditional triangle configuration. 

If using a glass encased candle of any kind, after the main working is complete and the candle is fully extinguished, it is customary to place inside the glass red flowers. Many also offer the poundcake and coins together with the coins on top of the cake. It is said these additional offerings can be given at any time regardless if the candle is still lit or the working is still in progress. 

~Blessings~