St. Honoratus of Amiens (Honoré)

Who they were

Honoratus was a bishop of Amiens remembered by his earliest accounts chiefly for not wanting the job. The legend, told as a legend, says that when news of his election reached his childhood home, his old nurse, who was baking, declared she would believe it when her baker's peel sprouted. The peel, the story insists, put out leaves.

From that oven side legend and centuries of guild devotion grew one of the great trade patronages. The bakers of Paris built his chapel, the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré carries his name past the fashion houses, and French pastry chefs named their crown of cream filled puffs the gâteau Saint Honoré, which makes him the patron of bakers, pastry chefs, and everyone up at three in the morning proofing dough.

Why people turn to St. Honoratus of Amiens (Honoré)

Bakers, pastry chefs, and home bread bakers, with St. Amand and the rest of the food trades. Reluctant appointees, with St. Gregory the Great, who tried harder than anyone to get out of it.

How to ask their intercession

Over the proofing bowl, and before the wedding cake goes in the van, plainly, the way the guilds always asked him.