Patron Saint Bono Protects Vukovar
The word "Saint" comes from the Latin word sanctus, which translates as "consecrated" or "holy," and according to the Catholic Church, praying to Saints brings peoplecloser to Christ. Believers pray because they are seeking answers to life’s natural or man-made disastrous struggles, problems, and challenges, which they find difficult to comprehend. They pray to their God, but also to those who lived and died heroically in the name of Christianity and are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as Saints.
Since early Christian Times a vast number of Patron Saintshave been recorded. Patron Saints are Saints associated with certain life situations and are chosen to protect because of their social involvement and charitable work, during the time they were alive. People pray to Saints for safe travel, better health, wealth, a successful harvest, or to protect their loved ones. Patron Saints watch over certain areas of life and also shield citizens of specific towns and cities.
Saint Bono is the Guardian Saint of Vukovar, a Croatian harbor city located in the northeast part of the Republic, right where the rivers Vuka and the Danube meet. According to the legend, this courageous soldier, who lived in the first century, put down his sword to follow the teachings of Christ. This action infuriated the ruling Roman Emperor Gallienus, who sentenced Bono to death. Deemed a martyr by his fellow believers, Bono’s benevolent deeds lived on, and until this day still encourages faithful believers to be brave, courageous and charitable.
In 1754, Pope Benedictus XIV, allowed the body of Saint or Sveti Bono to be transported from Rome to the Franciscan Church of St. Philip and Jacob in Vukovar. During a robbery and arson attack by the Serbian army in 1995, St. Bono’s casket was destroyed, except for one small wrist bone, which miraculously survived. Today, the faithfully protected relic is still carried around the city during an annual procession on June 23rd, the day the body of the sainted martyr was brought to Vukovar.