Tapestry of Faith: Building Bridges: A World Religions Program for 8th-9th Grades

Leader Resource 1: Patron Saints

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