Saint Florian was a 3rd-century Roman military commander who organized the army's firefighting brigade. When Roman soldiers were rounding up Christians to be executed, Saint Florian turned himself in, confessing that he was a Christian. Tied to the stake, he bravely challenged his executioners to light the fire. "Do it," he declared, "I will climb to Heaven on the flames." But he did not die from the fire. Saint Florian was eventually thrown into a river with a stone around his neck.
Saint Florian is the beloved patron of firefighters everywhere. He is also the patron saint of Poland and the city of Linz in Austria. Saint Florian is invoked against fire and drowning. Saint Florian suffered bravely for his faith in Jesus. May we follow his example and bravely demonstrate that we are the followers of Christ wherever we go.