Leader Resource 1: Patron Saints
Part of Building Bridges
One unique feature of Catholicism is its saints. Thousands of people have been sainted by the Catholic Church, meaning they are officially recognized as exemplars of Christian faith, having exhibited the power of God in their lives in remarkable ways. Saints are thought to be accessible to believers through prayer, and are considered to be guardians of specific groups of people. Often Catholics will have a patron saint whose life or works they feel drawn to, but they may also pray to other patron saints for certain reasons (for example, praying to St. Francis to help a sick pet). Here is a small sample of patron saints.
|
Accountants |
St. Matthew |
Actors |
St. Genesius |
|
Archaeologists |
St. Helen |
Animals |
St. Francis of Assisi |
|
Art |
St. Catharine of Bologna |
Athletes |
St. Sebastian |
|
Bee Keepers |
St. Ambrose |
Boys |
St. John Bosco |
|
Brides |
St. Nicholas |
Cancer Patients |
St. Peregrine Laziosi |
|
Children |
St. Nicholas |
Clergy |
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows |
|
Comedians |
St. Vitus |
Cooks |
St. Thomas the Apostle |
|
Earaches |
St. Polycarp |
Falsely Accused |
St. Raymond Nonnatus |
|
Girls |
St. Agnes, St. Maria Goretti |
Grandparents |
St. Ann, St. Joachim |
|
Greetings |
St. Valentine |
Impossible Causes |
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini |
|
Internet |
St. Isidore of Seville |
Jewelers |
St. Eligius |
|
Journalists |
St. Frances de Sales |
Learning |
St. Ambrose |
|
Lost items |
St. Anthony of Padua |
Lovers |
St. Valentine |
|
Monks |
St. John the Baptist |
Painters |
St. Luke |
|
Philosophers |
St. Catherine of Alexandria |
Physicians |
St. Luke, Sts. Cosmas, Damian |
|
Pilots |
St. Therese |
Poets |
St. Columba |
|
Politicians |
St. Thomas More |
Poor |
St. Lawrence |
|
Race Relations |
St. Martin de Porres |
Savings |
St. Anthony Claret |
|
Scholars |
St. Brigid of Kildare |
Scientists |
St. Albert the Great |
|
Teachers |
St. Gregory the Great |
Teenagers |
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Maria Goretti |
|
Television |
St. Clare |
Veterinarians |
St Eligius |
|
Waiters, Waitresses |
St. Martha |
Workers |
St. Joseph |
|
Writers |
St. Francis de Sales |