Mauritius - Saint Expedit

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As well as the roadside shrines to Christ and the Virgin Mary, there are many dedicated to Saint Expédit, which are typically red. Regarded as the national saint of Réunion, he is revered by Réunionnais of all religions.

Saint Expédit has taken on something of a sinister nature in the island’s folklore. He is considered particularly effective and prompt (expeditious) at carrying out requests for revenge by placing curses on people. However, in return he demands payment, otherwise he will punish the person who requested his assistance. For this reason the red shrines are typically smothered by offerings, such as candles, flowers and red material, as well as messages of thanks.

Don’t be surprised if you see decapitated statues of Saint Expédit in roadside shrines. The damage is either punishment for an unfulfilled request or has been done in order to break a curse that someone feels has been put on them by the saint.

The story of Saint Expédit is very confused. He is believed by many to have been a Roman legionnaire, named Expeditus, who was beheaded on 19 April ad303 in Malatya (Turkey) for not renouncing Christ.

However, some maintain that this story is a fabrication and that the saint’s popularity in Réunion is the result of a misunderstanding. The story goes that at the time of the early colonists, the religious community was having difficulty impressing the importance of its values on the population, so wrote to the Vatican to request some religious relics to help them drive their message home.

Finally, at the end of the 19th century a small wooden box arrived bearing the word expédit (despatched). Inside were a few scattered bones. The religious community rejoiced – the relics that they had requested had at last arrived. After some discussion, they concluded that the remains must belong to Saint Expédit, as that was the inscription on the box.

Whichever version you believe, the Church’s position is clear. In 1905, Pope Pius X demanded that Saint Expédit’s name be struck off the list of martyrs and all images of him removed from churches. By this stage Saint Expédit was already adored throughout Réunion and his popularity has never wavered.

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Mauritius - Saint Expedit

Reunion

Mauritius - Saint Expedit