Patron Saint

P a t r o n S a i n t

Also a professor, on his feast day, I recall my obscure patron, Saint Cassian of Imola, the schoolmaster. Apparently, a nasty old bastard, His students, every boy, loathed him. An obstinate, myopic parishioner, He was condemned to death For refusing to offer sacrifices To the pagan Roman gods As decreed by Emperor Julian the Apostate, that perfidious backslider. (Didn’t Constantine settle all this –His mom being baptized and all?) Though Cassian’s martyrdom Was gruesome (Most all martyrdoms Were ghastly. That was the point.) And though it was rather inventive –Somewhat, perversely entertaining –He preferred to be, more traditionally, Stoned, flayed, immolated or crucified. His pupils bound him to a stake And, weary of Homer, stabbed him To death with their iron styli, scribing Flesh instead of classics in wax tablets. The saint’s object lesson for me Is something unintended but apposite. It is not so much inspiring as practical And has nothing to do with which god Is which in a theological hierarchy. Simply, compassion, a little empathy, Is more useful than obedience.