by Fiona Thompson

Created on: November 24, 2007

Commercialism often takes over what were once serious religious traditions and they become money-spinning opportunities. The French practice of celebrating one's "saint's day" is no exception although it is one that is becoming less common as people feel they have more choice in the naming of their children.

The concept originated in the days when it was the Catholic church that dictated the country's customs, even so far as providing a catalogue of acceptable Christian names. Of course, this practice was not restricted to France; an Irish priest recently tried to guess my mother's name from her initial "Thomasina, Theresa..." and his reaction on learning it was Thelma was "not named for a saint then!" However, France is one country where the celebration of one's saint's day still persists to a degree.

In the past a French child would be given the name of the saint on whose day their own birth fell. Of course, people want not only originality but choice and so it became more common for the saint's name to be given as a second or middle name. This meant that a child would have two special days to celebrate where previously it would have been only one.

Almost every day in the calendar has a saint's name assigned to it, some have more than one and January 6 has five. Parents with a child born that day could complain of lack of choice!

These days saint's days are still celebrated but are usually more low key than actual birthdays though the greetings card industry is sure to relish a second bite of the cherry as it were.

It's not only individuals who celebrate a saint's day. Towns and villages usually have a dedicated saint and special events are held in commemoration each year, while certain professions are linked to a particular saint and those working in that industry may mark that day in some way.

Usually there is a story attached to why this saint has been adopted. Metal workers have St Eloi on July 24 and are able to take a day's leave to celebrate it; Saint Eloi was a French Bishop who was apprenticed to a goldsmith as a young boy.

Although the French are pleased to have more freedom in naming their children, I am sure the appeal of a day's leave to celebrate one's "professional saint" appeals just as much.

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