Saint Expedite, beloved of many residents of New Orleans (among other places), is the patron saint of those with faith in his rapid solutions to their problems, who want immediate financial success, and who seek to end delays so that forward movement can at last be seen. Some petition him to aid and assist in overcoming bad habits long in need of change, procrastination chief among them. His feast day is April 19th, when many set up altars, burning candles and giving offerings in his honor. His chosen day throughout the year is Wednesday.
Saint Expedite is pictured as a young brown-haired Roman soldier draped in a red cape, holding a palm frond in one hand and an upright cross with the word “HODIE” (“today” in Old Latin) on it. Under one foot is a black crow, which holds a ribbon in its mouth with the word “CRAS” (“tomorrow” in Old Latin) written across it. The message of the image: stamp out putting off until tomorrow what can be done today.
St. Expedite is popular in Italy, Spain. Portugal, and Latin America, as well as New Orleans, LA, where a statue of Expedite is stationed in the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Rampart Street. Legend has it that when the construction of the Church had finished, the priests sent an order for statuary to place in the Church. One crate arrived with the words “EXPEDITO” (meaning to rush, hurry or “expedite”). The priests thought that the word “EXPEDITO” was the name of this statue; hence the legend was born. There are statues of St. Expedite worldwide, thus creating more of a mystery on who this Saint really is!
Altars honoring Saint Expedite are filled with flowers and red candles, to match his red cloak, but also red is a magical color symbolizing energy, “heat,” and power. If you choose to work with Expedite, light a red candle and place it center back on the table, with his statue or image to the right-hand corner and a glass of water to the left. (If using a prayer card taped to the candle, set the candle to the right side and the water glass to the left.)
If and when St. Expedite grants your wishes and answers your prayers, you need to “pay” him. I say “if” he answers your prayers as sometimes he will not “work” with you for your immediate success. Do not take this as an insult; it is simply that he is not the one you need to be petitioning for your situation. However, if he does bring you the blessings you request, it is tradition to give him the gift of flowers, slices of pound cake (some say Sara Lee frozen pound cake that has been thawed), and some say a glass of red wine. It is crucial to make this offering to him after his work is done, as to not do so will incur his wrath and he will take back all that he has given you. Some go so far as to publish in the local newspaper his wondrous works, just like many do for St. Jude.
Traditionally, you are to approach your altar daily and state your prayer as your candle burns (several days), and when your request is granted, pour the water from the glass into the empty candle glass and place your flowers in it (using the glass candle as a vase). Set the pound cake on a plate in front of his image and pour red wine in the glass that held the water originally. After a day or two, take the pound cake and crumble it for the birds outside and pour the wine in the grass outside. Allow the flowers to naturally fade and wilt, then toss into the trash. Tell someone his wondrous works and how he has helped.
Some have chosen to encourage actions of St. Expedite and will pay him in advance, hoping that he will speed up the process of answering their prayers, but I have no idea if this is as effective a following the traditional methodology of setting up his altar. I have been told to wait until blessings have been received or situation has been changed before giving your cake and wine. In all cases, be sure to make your offering as soon as possible so that the blessings will not be reversed; otherwise, you might need to do the offering again to regain what you have lost.