Supernatural’s Patron Saint
Been pondering this awhile. And while watching ‘Houses of the Holy’ for maybe
the fifth time, I came to the realization that Supernatural needs a patron saint.
Churches have patron saints. Cities and towns do as well, Think SanFrancisco
and St. Louis. Corpus Christi is another one. There are hundreds in the
southwest U.S. alone, Even whole countries have been dedicated to the care
of one saint or another. Mexico is a perfect example. Her patroness is Our
Lady of Guadalupe.
So why not a television show? Especially one that is as worthy of patronage
as Supernatural is. I’ll be the first to admit that Supernatural could use some
divine assistance to keep it on the air to continue to reach more and more
people. I have faith that given just a little more time it will be given a chance
(love how Dean always uses that word with his good ol’ Texas drawl) to
reach the hearts and minds of those who are searching for that special gift
that was given to me. Supernatural has oft-times sent my heart soaring to
the heights of ecstatic realization and to the depths of profound sadness.
How can a show do that?
Only one that is singularly astounding.
Supernatural most definitely qualifies.
‘Houses of the Holy’ explores both Sam & Dean’s faith (or lack thereof)
and finds them both struggling with the harshness of their vocation and
trying to deal with all the evil that surrounds them. Sam finally admits to
Dean that he prays every day and Dean seems a bit stunned at Sam’s
declaration. “Man, you think you know a guy" He has faith that there is a
higher power to maybe help him and his brother survive this life-and-death
conflict they are immersed in. It’s what gives him strength. Dean, on the
other hand, is contemptuous of any notion that there is anyone beyond
what he can see, touch and/or kill. Can’t really blame him, I guess. As he
says - his mom had faith. He remembers her putting him to bed at night
and telling him that angels were watching over him. Then Evil took her
from him. Can’t fault him for being angry at the thought that if there is a
higher power it did nothing to save his mom.
But then the tables turned and a strange trail of events sent Sam to the
brink of despair while giving Dean an opportunity to rethink his former
mindset and reconsider the notion of divine intervention. Life does that
to you sometimes.
This is where Supernatural’s patron saint comes in. This particular saint
was even discussed in ‘Houses of the Holy’ when Sam and Dean are
talking with Father in the neighborhood where murders had been
committed. Dean slyly quizzes Father about the existence of angels
expecting a negative answer but Father says that he certainly does
believe. “Kinda comes with the job description”. Then Sam notices a
picture on the wall of the church and correctly identifies the subject
as Michael the Archangel. There is our patron saint. Michael does battle
against evil, against demons. He has been given the power to send
evil spirits down into Hell.
Would that Sam and Dean had that special protection from all the
demons that are hot on their trail. Would that a show as special as
‘Supernatural’ be dedicated to the special protection that Michael
can bequeath.
Just a thought.