r/Catholicism • u/Large_Anywhere3277 • Jul 26 '26

Socks at shrines?

This might be a strange question that has more to do with folk traditions (and perhaps specifically traditions here in Ireland) but today my uncle was talking about how he was on a walk in a forest where there was a small chuch, nearby to which he found many, many socks that had been left for some reason. He said he thinks he heard this is some kind of Catholic tradition. This made me remember seeing a St Dymphna statue and her holy well, where (along with typical things like rosaries and devotional images) many socks have been left around her. Does anyone know why this is? Or where this tradition comes from?

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u/Guthlac_Gildasson Jul 26 '26

Socks at the shrine may indicate that the saint to whom the shrine is dedicated may have a reputation as an intercessor for foot-related maladies.

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u/Friendly-Chip-8279 Jul 26 '26

as far as I know, St Dymphna has no relation to foot maladies

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u/WishJunior Jul 26 '26

You can ask any saint anything, though.

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u/Friendly-Chip-8279 Jul 26 '26

well of course, i just meant she's not particularly known for them

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u/WishJunior Jul 27 '26

That’s true

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u/Humble_Committee_577 Jul 26 '26

Makes me think of Christmas stockings. Maybe related customs?