Saint Barbara was born in the mid third century in either Heliopolis (Egypt) or Nicomedia (Asia Minor) and was raised by her heathen father Dioscorus. She was safely guarded in a tower but was converted to Christianity by a disciple disguised as a physician. On hearing this her father surrendered her to the authorities who tortured her and then permitted him to execute her by striking off her head with a sword. Her usual symbol is the tower, but she sometimes carries the sacramental cup and wafer and is the only female saint who bears this attribute. At the moment of her death, the saint requested the grace of the Sacrament for all who would honour her martyrdom.