Saint Guinefort: Protector of Children Since the Thirteenth Century

The story about a greyhound near Lyons, France, c.1234, becoming a saint (feast day August 22), with people flocking to her shrine asking for protection for their children seems like material for a children’s book – except that key elements have made its presentation as a children’s story problematic –until now. It is often said that if dogs don’t go to heaven, I’m not sure that I want to go there either. With the story of Guinefort, we have an opportunity to rejoice that God has obviously sent dogs from heaven to be among us with saintly love and devotion. Certainly my dogs, Ruth and Naomi, would agree. The Rt. Rev. Don E. Johnson, Episcopal Bishop of West Tennessee The unique Christian legend of the loyal dog Guinefort is now retold by Father Sturni and George Mellios with both care and an energetic pace. This story is further enhanced with clear and boldly colored illustrations by Logan Walker. The result is a modern recreation of a children’s Mediaeval illuminated passional or a recounting of the life of a saint. - E. A. Carmean, Jr., Art Historian and Cultural Essayist Dear Dr. Sturni: I am looking for an icon of St. Guinefort for my private chapel. And, note, no dog is mere child’s play. Dogs may be humankind’s greatest contribution to the world. The Rev’d J. Timothy West