Saint Expedite wearing a red cape and the gold accented armor of a Roman centurion. His right foot is stepping on a black crow. His helmet sits next to his left foot. He is holding a cross in his right hand and some plant in left hand.
Folk Catholicism is the practice of combining Catholicism with the practices of other folk beliefs which can include Indigenous or African belief systems. Cuban Santería, Haitian Vodou and Italian folk magic combined with Catholicism are all examples of Folk Catholicism (Santería and Vodou are also religions). Another example of Folk Catholicism is Santa Muerte, the Mexican Saint of Death who is especially followed by criminals, sex workers and the LGBTQIA2S+. Folk Catholicism has been maligned as not authentic Catholicism and superstitious, but in the same breath it has deep roots in modern society. My best friend growing up would always say her late grandma was “so Catholic she’s pagan!” Her grandma, a white military wife from the Midwest, was burying Saint Joseph in her lawn and petitioning saints for help like they were gods (Rest in Peace Joyce). These practices are old, sacred and deserve the same reverence and respect given to organized religion.
Outside of occasionally praying to St. Anthony to help me find lost items I have had zero experiences with Catholicism or Folk Catholicism. I quit a toxic job in December. Since December to March I applied to over 95 jobs. I got about 10 interviews, but no job offers. I was feeling incredibly discouraged and pessimistic. I was trying to leave the field of mental health and social services. I needed a job that wasn’t so emotionally taxing. I consulted my teacher, Kaitlyn Graña, they/them, motherofmystics.com, for advice. Kaitlyn was raised in Espiritismo and Folk Catholicism. Kaitlyn, channeling their spirit, Ava, suggested I petition Saint Expedite, the Saint of urgent and just causes. The following ritual includes directions from Ava and Kaitlyn and recommendations from internet sources I will link to at the bottom. Without Ava and Kaitlyn I wouldn’t have even known of Saint Expedite and I am very grateful to them for their guidance.
Items needed:
Red candle (I used a 7 day candle)
Glass of water (every day I offered fresh water)
Picture of Saint Expedite
3 pennies
Cinnamon
Write your own prayer beforehand
Altar will look like this:
Candle
Water Picture
Start this ritual on a Wednesday, the day associated with Saint Expedite. I used a red 7 day candle which I didn’t burn all day every day because of fire safety! Because I used that kind of candle the ritual took a month long. Novenas which are Christian ritual devotional practices are meant to take place for 9 days. Do whatever feels right for you if you are unsure of how long you should do the ritual consult your Benevolent Guides through divination.
Kaitlyn advised to set up the altar in a triangle with the glass of water in the bottom left corner, picture in bottom right corner and candle in top middle. I have also read people switching the positions of water and picture. I sprinkled cinnamon on the candle three times and put the 3 pennies on the picture of St. Expedite. He likes the number 3 and cinnamon (cinnamon also represents prosperity and success). I only used cinnamon on the first day of the ritual.
Before putting the candle on the altar, brush it over your body slowly, thinking about what you are asking for, imagining what it will feel like to obtain the things you want and imbuing it with your wishes.
Light the candle.
Knock on the altar and say, “Saint Expedite.”
I wrote my own petition based on the internet sources linked below.
I humbly call forth Saint Expedite, the saint of urgent and just causes, in all of your glory and grace.
I offer the sincerity of my heart, the goodness of my Spirit, this water, red candle and pennies.
I am desperate.
Please hear and fulfill my request.
Holy Warrior, please give me strength, courage and serenity.
I ask that you help me secure [be as specific and detailed as possible. Here I asked for a job and gave very specific details about what kind of qualities I wanted the job to have.]
Please help me get this [blank] in two weeks. (I read that he needs to be asked for things that require immediate resolution. I thought at first that wasn’t enough time to secure a job but keep reading.)
I ask that you help me receive immediate cash through donations, government aid, paid work or any ethical means. [If you have a second request, put in here. I included this part about money because a lot of us probably need financial help]
In return for helping me secure [this job and money] I will make you a pound cake, offer you red roses and publicly thank you for helping me. [Whatever you offer is up to you, but these specific 3 things he really likes and are common offering. He also likes red wine]
Thank you for hearing my request. I will be forever grateful if you grant my plea.
Amen
Then I recited the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, each one time.
The Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
The Glory Be
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Do the Sign of the Cross while saying,
in the Name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit
Amen
I finished by saying again thank you St. Expedite for hearing my requests please grant them. Amen. I left the candle burning in a pot of water for several hours each day. If you can’t leave the candle burning for a long time that is ok.
I applied for a job that met many of my criteria. It took 13 days from the day I applied to the day to the job was offered to me. I have no doubt St. Expedite came through. The day after I got the informal job offer, I got him red roses and made a pound cake. If you want to buy a pound cake you can do that. I baked it because it is very cheap to make, and I thought the gesture was important. It is essential you hold up your end of the bargain by making your offerings promptly and exactly as you said you would. I publicly thanked him on social media and by writing this post.
If you need immediate assistance, call on Saint Expedite. If he sees your cause is just, he will intervene on your behalf quickly. Saint Expedite is glorious and generous. He wants to work with you!
