| Saint Lazarus —
Patron Saint of Hospitals,
Lepers, The Order of St. Lazarus "Lazarus
is the poor man at the gate of the rich man in Christ's parable related in Luke
(Luke 16:19-31). His name was perpetuated in the Middle Ages by such words as
Lazaretto (hospital), Lazarone (a beggar in the street), and the Order of St.
Lazarus. The Order of Saint Lazarus was founded in
the 12th century to provide nursing for lepers, taking Lazarus as it's patron.
The knights of the order were lepers, and besides helping their fellow sufferers,
they carried out military duties. They founded a hospital for lepers near the
northern wall of Jerusalem. Prayer to St. Lazarus
"Dear patron and assistant of the poor and sick. With this prayer I request
your assistance, and with the aid of the Holy Spirit may the Lord always protect
me during sickness or in health. St. Lazarus give me the strength to overcome
all the temptations on earth, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. Amen." | 
12mm
diameter 
