Patron Saint of those who work under a jerky boss

[comrade1789]

I’m thinking of Jacob working for his uncle, but boy I should could use some compassion upstairs…sheesh!

 

[Marie5890]

Seriously, St Jude…He is the saint for those in need

 

[PacoG]

I think the canon is replete with saints, blesseds and venerables who labored under superiors who didn’t quite understand them or didn’t quite respect them or didn’t quite appreciate their talents. I

 

[jonbhorton]

St. Joseph? (Workers)

 

[IrishRush]

Hang in there… I think we all have probably, at some point in our lives, worked under someone who fits that description. If someone out there hasn’t yet, they probably will at some point. Be patient, be thankful with this economy that you have a job and pray for your jerky boss.
Gotta say, the title of the thread made me chuckle when I first read it.

 

[LilyM]

I’m thinking of Jacob working for his uncle, but boy I should could use some compassion upstairs…sheesh!

Hmm - Joseph of the OT. He was sexually harassed by his boss’s wife, falsely accused by her of rape when he refused her advances and imprisoned as a result. Although I suppose it wasn’t the boss who was jerky.

Or perhaps St Thomas More, whose boss was Henry VIII - he pushed poor Tom into accepting the job when he didn’t want it, then chucked a tantrum, made himself head of the Church of England, and executed anyone who didn’t agree with it, or with his pretended divorce and remarriage. Including poor old Thomas I think he hit the jackpot as far as jerky bosses go!

 

[pollycarp]

Actually, Dilbert comes to mind.

I used to cut certain ones out of the paper and keep them on my desk. Good luck.

 

[comrade1789]

Hmm - Joseph of the OT. He was sexually harassed by his boss’s wife, falsely accused by her of rape when he refused her advances and imprisoned as a result. Although I suppose it wasn’t the boss who was jerky.

Or perhaps St Thomas More, whose boss was Henry VIII - he pushed poor Tom into accepting the job when he didn’t want it, then chucked a tantrum, made himself head of the Church of England, and executed anyone who didn’t agree with it, or with his pretended divorce and remarriage. Including poor old Thomas I think he hit the jackpot as far as jerky bosses go!

Oh yeah, I forgot about Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar. Thank you all for your replies.

 

[Mike_Searson]

I had an evil boss once. Someone whose presence just made you cringe when you talked to them. Vile, repugnant, and just downright mean.

I started to think they were perfectly possessed and said a prayer to St Michael everytime i had to go in their office. Whenever I said the prayer, it made the time more bearable.

 

[HonoraDominum]

My last boss, who fired me two weeks before Christmas when two days before my car had broken to the tune of $1,100, was in desperate need of some grace. Before she fired me, when it got really bad, I got so mad that I prayed a 54-day rosary novena for her soul. I also prayed for compassion and understanding for me. When she fired me, I said a prayer that in addition to any other intentions I offer up, I offer up every single rosary I say from now until I go home to Him with the intention of the saving of her soul. She needs it more than anyone I know.

That being said, when I was in the worst of things, I prayed a lot to little Thérèse. She was the master of humble confidence. Through all of the sufferings, which I offered up often for the sanctification of priests and the conversion of souls as Thérèse often did, I could see how God was using these opportunities for much needed lessons in humility, in the spirt of love. I even said on multiple occasions, “God is loving me so much right now that I just about can’t stand it.” He gives us only what we can handle for our own sanctification.

And as for my employment situation? Well, after a few weeks, an older boss called me up and said an opening had come up and offered me a much better job. The benefits suck and I’m going to be learning lots of lessons in poverty and detachment from the pay cut I’m taking, but to be able to go into work and not get yelled at is worth having to keep my old car for a few more months.

I still pray for my old boss every day, for the conversion of her soul. I pray that God will have mercy on her and that she will have a holy death. Is it easy? No, it isn’t. I had nightmares for weeks after I got fired that she kept on firing me. I’d come and she’d yell at me or get me in trouble. But I kept praying for you. It’s easy to love the beautiful, the kind, the lovely. But Christ loved the unlovable - the lepers, the ungrateful, the publicans and the cripples. He loved all, and I strive to live my life like His, and part of that is loving those who are, in my eyes, quite unlovable.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

My last boss, who fired me two weeks before Christmas when two days before my car had broken to the tune of $1,100, was in desperate need of some grace. Before she fired me, when it got really bad, I got so mad that I prayed a 54-day rosary novena for her soul. I also prayed for compassion and understanding for me. When she fired me, I said a prayer that in addition to any other intentions I offer up, I offer up every single rosary I say from now until I go home to Him with the intention of the saving of her soul. She needs it more than anyone I know.

That being said, when I was in the worst of things, I prayed a lot to little Thérèse. She was the master of humble confidence. Through all of the sufferings, which I offered up often for the sanctification of priests and the conversion of souls as Thérèse often did, I could see how God was using these opportunities for much needed lessons in humility, in the spirt of love. I even said on multiple occasions, “God is loving me so much right now that I just about can’t stand it.” He gives us only what we can handle for our own sanctification.

And as for my employment situation? Well, after a few weeks, an older boss called me up and said an opening had come up and offered me a much better job. The benefits suck and I’m going to be learning lots of lessons in poverty and detachment from the pay cut I’m taking, but to be able to go into work and not get yelled at is worth having to keep my old car for a few more months.

I still pray for my old boss every day, for the conversion of her soul. I pray that God will have mercy on her and that she will have a holy death. Is it easy? No, it isn’t. I had nightmares for weeks after I got fired that she kept on firing me. I’d come and she’d yell at me or get me in trouble. But I kept praying for you. It’s easy to love the beautiful, the kind, the lovely. But Christ loved the unlovable - the lepers, the ungrateful, the publicans and the cripples. He loved all, and I strive to live my life like His, and part of that is loving those who are, in my eyes, quite unlovable.

Thank you! What a beautiful witness. May God bless you abundantly.

 

[Leon_Bloy]

I suggest to you St. Jeanne Jugan! One of the Church’s newest saints. Here is why…

"It was in 1841 Jugan was first elected superior of the small congregation. By December 1843, the women were providing care for some 40 people and the sisters for the second time re-elected Jugan as their mother general.

But here the story takes an unfortunate twist.

A priest, Fr. Auguste le Pailleur, had been a spiritual advisor for two of the sisters, and through them gained a foothold in the community. Then, on Dec. 23, 1843, just weeks after the women had re-elected Jugan, Pailleur on his own authority declared the election void, designating a 23-year-old sister, Marie Jamet, as the new mother general. Still not satisfied with his authority in the order he declared himself father general and took total control. Pailleur assigned Jugan to begging for aid.

Additionally, Pailleur began falsifying documents to state that he had founded the Little Sisters.

Paul Milcent, author of the biography Jeanne Jugan: Humble So As to Love More, wrote: “The Abbé le Pailleur’s behavior has something odd about it, pointing to some kind of psychological disturbance. He was determined, even at the cost of falsifying the truth, to concentrate power and fame in his own person.”

So relegated did Jugan eventually become, said Veit, that younger sisters entering the order had no idea the woman living in the shadows of the motherhouse for the last 27 years of her life was their foundress.

“She died in oblivion,” Veit said. “She had been thoroughly set aside.” Referring to the canonization, Veit added, “There is definitely a sense that she is finally gaining her rightful place. And the elderly are getting the honor they deserve.” "

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Jeanne Jugan’s story shows God’s power in an interesting way. Aside from being set to go out begging, she was relegated to living in the novitiate instead of the main part of the house. But, that gave her access to all the new novices, so in a subtle way, by being around her, they learned of her vision for the order, even if she never formally taught them.

Even in a humble position, we often have the ability to influence things for good. When we don’t get good assignments or are passed over for promotion or a perk, we should still look to see what good we can do. It is very difficult I know to work hard and keep a positive view of our jobs when we work for someone who acts like a jerk, is petty, or downright stupid. However, acting the same way never gets us very far.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I’m nominating St. Zita: she worked as a servant for all of her life, and in one case, a manservant she was working with kept hitting on her, what we’d call sexual harassment in the workplace these days. It got worse: one time when the guy really came onto her, she scratched his face to defend herself. Her employer demanded to know what had happened, so the handsy guy claimed Zita had come on to him. Poor girl couldn’t get a word in to defend herself, and she ended up getting fired. I think she covers being the patron saint for people with jerk bosses and jerk co-workers!

 

[comrade1789]

My last boss, who fired me two weeks before Christmas when two days before my car had broken to the tune of $1,100, was in desperate need of some grace. Before she fired me, when it got really bad, I got so mad that I prayed a 54-day rosary novena for her soul. I also prayed for compassion and understanding for me. When she fired me, I said a prayer that in addition to any other intentions I offer up, I offer up every single rosary I say from now until I go home to Him with the intention of the saving of her soul. She needs it more than anyone I know.

That being said, when I was in the worst of things, I prayed a lot to little Thérèse. She was the master of humble confidence. Through all of the sufferings, which I offered up often for the sanctification of priests and the conversion of souls as Thérèse often did, I could see how God was using these opportunities for much needed lessons in humility, in the spirt of love. I even said on multiple occasions, “God is loving me so much right now that I just about can’t stand it.” He gives us only what we can handle for our own sanctification.

And as for my employment situation? Well, after a few weeks, an older boss called me up and said an opening had come up and offered me a much better job. The benefits suck and I’m going to be learning lots of lessons in poverty and detachment from the pay cut I’m taking, but to be able to go into work and not get yelled at is worth having to keep my old car for a few more months.

I still pray for my old boss every day, for the conversion of her soul. I pray that God will have mercy on her and that she will have a holy death. Is it easy? No, it isn’t. I had nightmares for weeks after I got fired that she kept on firing me. I’d come and she’d yell at me or get me in trouble. But I kept praying for you. It’s easy to love the beautiful, the kind, the lovely. But Christ loved the unlovable - the lepers, the ungrateful, the publicans and the cripples. He loved all, and I strive to live my life like His, and part of that is loving those who are, in my eyes, quite unlovable.

Very good stuff, thank you. I am striving to use all of this as a divine refinery to purge me of many faults. My boss does not sound near as bad as yours, so I am blessed in that department. Thank you again.

 

[Melissahfleming]

Reading through this thread gave me a smile and a list of saints to pray to to get me through this rough patch at work. Thank you!

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I didn’t realize that the management in the dried meat industry was so bad.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I had an evil boss once. Someone whose presence just made you cringe when you talked to them. Vile, repugnant, and just downright mean.

I started to think they were perfectly possessed and said a prayer to St Michael everytime i had to go in their office. Whenever I said the prayer, it made the time more bearable.

Oooh! I had one of those too! The type that if you were drowning, she’d throw you a stone! I used to say the Memorare and bless myself with the holy water I kept in my desk every time I got called to her office. I also used to pray the sorrowful mysteries meditating on each mystery in how each of my different sufferings she brought on to me could be offered up with each mystery. I used to also pray my rosary to ward off the anxiety attacks I would have at night about work and facing her. Eeeeviiiiilll!

 

[Zekariya]

Here is the story of Eastern Orthodox Saint, Basil of Mangazeya (he was martyred by his boss):

Unfortunately, at that time Siberia was a frontier area, and there were almost no women there. Because of this, some men who had beastial passions used to commit homosexual acts with young men and boys. Saint Basil’s boss was one of these perverse men. Soon after Saint Basil had arrived in Mangazeya, the boss tried to entice the youth into homosexual relations. He tried flattery, he offered Basil money and finally, he tried threats and punishments.

Saint Basil only continued to fast and pray and ask God to help him remain pure.

The boss began to hate Basil. He was angry that he would not submit to his evil lust, and he hated Basil’s prayerful, religious life. He especially hated Basil for his meek and humble personality. But no matter how much he persecuted and mistreated the innocent lad, Saint Basil continued to faithfully and honestly perform all his duties and responsibilities.

Finally, the persecutions and slanders reached a terrible point. During the Paschal Matins, theives robbed the merchandise house in which Basil worked. The boss, discovering the theft, went to the governor and reported the theft. But then a terrible deed occured: the merchant hated Basil so much and the evil in him was so strong that he formally accused the innocent of being the robber.

Thus, on the day of Christ’s Bright Pascha, when the Holy Church calls all people to peace and love, this inocent, God-fearing boy was betrayed by a false witness, just as Christ had been betrayed by false witnesses. The governor did not even investigate the charges. He sent officers to arrest Saint Basil and drag him right out of the church. The governor and Basil’s boss began to torture the boy in order to force a confession out of him. In spite of all the fierce tortures, the blessed one would only reply meekly: “I am innocent.”

The pain of the torture became so unbearable that the youth fainted, but when he came to, he again quietly repeated, “I am innocent.”

The meek, humble, Christ-like endurance and peaceful reply of the young saint enraged the evil merchant even more. Finally, he flew into a demonic rage and struck the innocent virgin on the head with a heavy chain of keys. Saint Basil fell to the floor, sighed heavily and gave up his pure soul into the hands of the Lord, on the day of Christ’s Radiant Pascha, 1600.

Source: johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/03/saint-basil-of-mangazeya-12-year-old.html

 

[solomonkane]

The entire story is too long to post here, but here’s a link to the biography of recently canonised Australian saint, ST Mary MacKillop, or St Mary of the Cross. She and her order were also treated very shabbily by a local bishop, to the extent that he had her excommunicated at one time, with some other sisters.

yearofgrace.catholic.org.au/index.php/resources/st-mary-mackillop

It gets really interesting about halfway through…