Quite recently I found we have a second patron saint of beekeeping, St Bernard of Clairveaux, 1090-1153, he was created a Doctor of the church in 1830 as “Doctor Mellifluus”, [honey tongued doctor]. His feast day is August 20th, as we have two this one could be the patron saint of a good harvest.
As some of you know I am officially Bernard Paul Mann but always known as Paul Mann. Apparently my father wanted us to have names which could not be shortened; he was Wilfrid, always known as Wilf. An uncle called to see the first born and said “Hello bunny”, Bernard was immediately dropped and I have always been Paul. I have one younger brother Baptized Anthony David and always known as Tony !! Make of that what you will.
It has been suggested that I was baptized Bernard because of the beekeeping, not so because my father was the one to get interested in bees when I was 12 years old.
For those who are not aware of the other patron saint, it is Saint Ambrose, he was the fourth century bishop of Milan, he died in 397 and his feast day is April 4th. He is mentioned in “The bee book” by Daphne More, page 9. He could be our patron saint for a good crop of swarms and honey to come.
Happy beekeeping to all, Paul Mann.
