Lenten "The Little Black Book" and Harry Potter?

[Mavzylor]

This is the first year I learned about The Little Black Book, and got one at the beginning of Lent. Today’s page in The Little Black Book is about Saint Walburga, and there is a little note at the end that says,

“It is said that Walburga inspired the character of Walburga Black, a witch in the Harry Potter book series who is the mother of Sirius Black.”

I’m not a Harry Potter fan, so I had to look up the character, and it is an awful character with no redeeming qualities (You can read about her yourself on Wikipedia if you are also unfamiliar with Harry Potter). Upon more research, I found that the “death eaters” are also a mockery of Walpurgis Night, the eve of Saint Walburga’s feast day. Why was this even acknowledged and included in The Little Black Book?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I think the authors of the book were trying to inspire people to be interested in St. Walburga and maybe look her up. She was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages, apparently, but is rather forgotten today.

Her feast day gets associated with witches - the Harry Potter character is basically a screaming witch - because a pagan festival was originally on that day before the Church placed her feast on its calendar there. Also, she and her uncle St. Boniface were involved to some extent with opposing pagan practices.

Of Witches, Walburga, and Welcoming Spring: The Fearlessness of Tradition| National Catholic Register

 

[twf]

On the other hand, St Hedwig is also a saint, and her namesake in Harry Potter is a noble character .

 

[Gertabelle]

I think the authors of the book were trying to inspire people to be interested in St. Walburga and maybe look her up. She was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages, apparently, but is rather forgotten today.

Her feast day gets associated with witches - the Harry Potter character is basically a screaming witch - because a pagan festival was originally on that day before the Church placed her feast on its calendar there. Also, she and her uncle St. Boniface were involved to some extent with opposing pagan practices.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/beck...elcoming-spring-the-fearlessness-of-tradition

Thanks for this thorough response.

St Walburga came from an exceedingly holy family. Her two brothers are both Saints – St Wunibald and St Willibald. Her father is a Saint – St Richard. And her mother is a Blessed – Blessed Una.

She has a special place in my heart. Hopefully I have a special place in hers.