SANTA BARBARA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY             2012

One of the most beloved saints venerated by San Fernando Valley residents from the Spanish and Mission era to modern times is Saint Barbara. Images of Santa Barbara can be readily identified by her stance on a rook / castle tower, the palm leaf of martyrdom, and on occasion the sword used by her father to behead her.

Santa Barbara is the patron saint of canon makers. In this statue in the Mission Santa Barbara, she holds a relic wand.