St George, the dragon and English Catholics...

To mark the Feast Day of Saint George which falls each year on the 23rd of April we turn to Monsignor Peter Fleetwood who shines the spotlight for us on England's Patron Saint:

"...He was demoted when they sorted out the list of Saints many years ago, but he is still there on the calendar, and those who still remember still wear a red rose on Saint George's day in England."...

But the question Monsignor Peter points to is what Saint George killing a dragon has got to do with Catholics in England? Especially as the dragon is a mythical animal. But he adds myths contain symbols and symbols sum up some aspect of life that is very important or powerful:

"...I suspect the dragon represents evil in any form ...it is a symbol of power evil people can wield in this world . They can force good people into submission and either damage them or humiliate them or lead them astray. This is a frightening reality , and it is a reminder that sometimes goodness and holiness mean bravery in the face of wickedness. At a baptism, the new Christian is exorcised, not because she or he is possessed, but because the Christian Church recognises where human power runs out and we have to rely on God."...

Saint George Monsignor Peter says, reminds us that we need help to survive when evil is about :

"...It may be a naive symbolism, but the pictures and statues of Saint George are all about the battle between good and evil. They also heark back to what Jesus said about his sheep. He was there to protect them , because they needed protection. Saint George is a reminder that sometimes good people are called upon to bother to be brave and offer that protection in place of Jesus ".

Listen to Monsignor Peter Fleetwood of the Liverpool Archdiocese in a programme, part of the series 'Why bother? Staying Catholic despite it all", produced by Veronica Scarisbrick .

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