Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
According to shooters the world over, St. Gabriel Possenti is the patron saint of shooters and shooting. Apparently he warded off a band of thugs by his display of marksmanship, shooting a lizard off a rock with a pistol at a considerable distance.
I know - not everyone's into the "patron saint" stuff, but who can argue with one for shooters?
Hmm. Maybe I should call in sick. Good reason to do so. His story is quite fascinating and is a cogent demonstration why even men of faith need to have the means to protect themselves as well as the helpless.
Ysabel, since all believers are saints themselves, and since The Boss has instituted an open-door policy, that is, we can go straight to the top for help, need I say more? jd45
I never heard of him before. Anyway, what had that lizard done to him I can't vote for anyone that shoots a harmless critter when there's Bad Guy's that need shootin', that's just a waste of a bullet!
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
I've always been particularly fond of Saint Arnold.
Saint Arnold was born to a prominent Austrian family in the year 580. Even back in those days the Austrians were famous for their love of beer, and admired for their brewing prowess. Beer was a proud Austrian tradition that was not wasted on young Arnold.
As a young man, Arnold entered the priesthood and began moving his way up that earliest of all career ladders. At the age of 32, he was given the title Bishop, and in 612 was named "Arnold, Bishop of Metz." (Metz is in France.)
He is said to have spent his life warning peasants about the health hazards of drinking water. Water was not necessarily safe to drink during the dark ages, especially around towns and villages. Nasty stuff. Arnold always had the well-being of his followers close at heart.
Beer, on the other hand, was quite safe. Arnold frequently pointed this out to his congregation. He is credited with having once said, "From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world." It goes without saying that the people loved and revered Arnold.
In 627, Saint Arnold retired to a monastery near Remiremont, France, where he died and was buried in 640.
In 641, the citizens of Metz requested that Saint Arnold's body be exhumed and carried from the monastery to the town of Metz for reburial in their local church - The church where Arnold had so frequently preached the virtues of beer. Their request was granted.
It was a long and thirsty journey, especially since they were carrying a dead bishop. As the ceremonial procession passed through the town of Champignuelles, the tired processionals stopped for a rest and went into a tavern for a drink of their favorite beverage - Beer. Much to their dismay, they were informed that there was only one mug of beer left, and that they would have to share it. That mug never ran dry and the thirsty crowd was satisfied.
Every Saint needs a miracle. That's how the Church decides you are a Saint. The story of the miracle mug of beer spread and eventually Arnold was canonized by the Catholic Church for it.
Saint Arnold is recognized by the Catholic Church as the Patron Saint of Brewers.
I read about St. Gabriel Possenti on Fr. Frog's website. Sounds like someone who read the book of Luke well. Maybe it wasn't a sword, but the idea is the same. Luke 22:35-38. If Jesus told his disciples to be armed, and Peter was obviously a great swordsman to be able to reach across his body, snick off the ear without chopping into the skull or shoulder, and return to en-guarde before the combat veteran soldiers went veg-o-matic on him, then why should I not carry a weapon and be skilled in its use? Don't even try to tell me Peter was making a wild swing. If you think that, you try it with a stick and a sword. That maneuver took real skill, and the soldiers there were combat vets and didn't have time to get their swords out and kill him. Based on reaction time for the average human, that happened in about .3 to .5 of a second.
D. Brian Casady
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
I can't vote for anyone that shoots a harmless critter when there's Bad Guy's that need shootin', that's just a waste of a bullet! 
