Saint Fidgeta, virgin and martyr, is the patroness of nervous and unmanageable children (Saint Fidgeta and Other Parodies; 11-2).
Biography[]
Born in 482 in ancient Gaul, the daughter of Christian parents lived life that was "rather dull" until her father and mother were killed by a foraging band of Avars. Fidgeta was sent to live with her pagan uncle and attended a pagan grammar school where her beliefs were subject to frequent ridicule. She died in 489 at the hand of her teacher, having been slapped to death after extreme fidgeting in a desire to attend Mass.
The following year, in 490, she was canonized (presumably by Pope Felix III).
Post-canonization[]
Fidgettine apparitions[]
A Fidgettine apparition is a supernatural appearance by Saint Fidgeta. A few of these have been documented:
- During an attack in the 7th Century against the Byzantine city of Ud, Persian Emperor Tissaphernes encountered a Fidgettine apparition that caused his army to flee (658).
- Scintilla Sforza was witness to an apparition in 13th Century Italy. On the spot of the apparition she built Santa Fidgeta and founded the Order of Faithful Fidgettines (1272).
- During the 15th Century Turkish siege of Pinsk, Fidgeta appeared as a fluffy, pink cloud[comments 1] that induced uneasiness in the invading army (1450).
In Art[]
Symbols of Fidgeta in art include the red slap mark on the cheek[comments 2], the Scholar's pen, and the virgin's girdle. Early representation is rare because Byzantine art does not allow the depiction of a restless saint. Representation includes:
- Icon of Saint Fidgeta, Studium, Constantinople (not confirmed)
- Apotheosis of Saint Fidgeta
- Saint Fidgeta Chastised by Saint Jerome
- Saint Fidgeta in Ecstasy
In Prayer[]
- Litany of Saint Fidgeta
- Prayer Against Enemies
- Prayer for Relief from Uneasiness
Later Visions[]
- The character makes a cameo appearance as a former flimsy in The Pedant and the Shuffly.
- In 2008, Saint Fidgeta appeared across the bottom of the outdoor mural dedicated to Bellairs painted by Massachusetts-based artist Sheila Foley; the mural is on display in downtown Haverhill.
- The handmade Fidgettine icon John Bellairs owned was used as a prop in The House with a Clock in its Walls film, shown on the bedside table of Lewis Barnavelt.
Comments[]
- ↑ Clouds appear pink – or red or orange – usually at sunrise or sunset when they reflect the long, un-scattered rays of the sun. Another prominent “pink cloud” is the one associated with alcoholics and addicts; a "temporary artificial euphoria."
- ↑ We doubt a connection but the red hand mark brings to mind the Red Hand of Ulster, a heraldic symbol to denote the Irish province of Ulster.
Reference[]
Saint Fidgeta and Other Parodies | |||
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