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mong the  saints  who  in  Catholic  devotion  are invoked with  special  confidence,  because they have  proved  themselves  efficacious  helpers  in adversity  and  difficulties,  there  is  a  group  venerated under  the  collective  name  of  Holy  Helpers. They are:

1. St. George, Martyr.

2. St. Blase, Bishop  and  Martyr.

3. St. Pantaleon, Martyr.

4. St. Vitus, Martyr.

5. St. Erasmus, Bishop  and  Martyr.

6. St. Christophorus, Martyr.

7. St. Dionysius, Bishop  and  Martyr.

8. St. Cyriacus, Martyr.

9. St. Achatius, Martyr.

10. St. Eustachius, Martyr.

11. St. Giles, Abbot.

12. St. Catherine, Virgin  and  Martyr.

13. St. Margaret, Virgin  and  Martyr.

14. St. Barbara, Virgin  and  Martyr.

The reason  why  these  saints  are  invoked  as  a group  is  said  to  have  been  an  epidemic  which  devastated Europe  from  1346  to  1349. It was  called