Dear Hank & John 439: Division I Saint
Jan 28, 2026
They riff on whether you can eat rare animals and who becomes a patron saint. They explore decomposition, cremation, and what happens to our bodies. They explain how flames form patterns and how trees stay standing. They wonder why hair changes after chemo and why certain veins are chosen for blood draws. They also touch on Mars mission news and an underdog soccer update.
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St. Apollonia’s Origin Story
- John describes St. Apollonia's martyrdom as the origin of her role for toothache sufferers.
- Hank admits he once prayed to St. Apollonia during chronic mouth pain.
How Patron Saints Are Assigned
- Catholic patron saints arise from popular devotion and official Church recognition, often tied to a saint's life or martyrdom.
- Patronage covers many niches, from writers to toothaches, reflecting cultural needs rather than systematic assignment.
Disease Patronage Reflects Saints' Lives
- Some saints are patrons of diseases because they died from those diseases, like St. Thérèse of Lisieux and tuberculosis.
- Early martyrdoms and historical circumstances shaped many patronages.