Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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RAVEN

An emblem of several saints who profited by the miraculous assistance of this rapacious bird. St. Benedict (480-546), while being slandered by Florentius, had his life saved when a raven removed the poisoned loaf prepared for his meal by his enemies. St. Meinrad (d. 861), as a solitary, was murdered by two men who were after a treasure falsely reported to be hidden in the monk's cave. They were brought to justice by the croaking of two ravens who followed them from the scene of their crime. Elijah the prophet is often represent by ravens who at God's command brought food to him.