Catholic Devotion to Patron Saints

patron saints catholic

Patron saints are a common part of Catholic devotion. These holy men and women who have died for their faith have been selected by groups of faithful as intercessors, or prayers to God. While one can pray directly to God, seeking the intercession of a patron saint is like asking a friend to pray for you to God. Because your patron saint is already in Heaven, their prayers will never cease. This practice is known as communion of saints.

The practice of adopting a patron saint goes back to the early churches of the Roman Empire, when Christians prayed to their martyrs to intercede on their behalf. The Romans chose to build public churches over the graves of martyrs who were regarded as intercessors between the Christians and heaven. Today, churches are generally dedicated to one or more patron saints. Those who walked into a church may invoke a patron saint for assistance or protection.

While many people are familiar with the names of their patron saints, you may be unaware of their significance. Patron saints are usually honored as heavenly intercessors, and are often associated with a particular place, profession, or nation. Some patrons are also associated with specific industries, such as the beer industry, because Saint Arnold once admonished the villagers to drink beer during a plague. As such, they are often considered ideal examples of Christian role models for today.

Those who are related to the Church’s patron saints can be considered as “heroes”. There are forty-one female saints, or patronesses, in Belgium. They include Teresa, Rose, and the three Catherines. Other female saints include Agnes, Monica, and Mary Magdalen de Pazzi. These female saints are often considered the patron saints of a particular parish, and are also revered as a symbol of their influence.

Some of the patron saints are chosen to help people with a particular illness. A devout Roman Catholic, Acutis died of leukemia in 2006, and the patron saint for cancer is St. Agatha. Her breasts were cut off when she refused to marry a non-Christian. The devotion to St. Agatha is said to provide hope. The book includes a detailed biography of the saint, as well as a liturgical calendar.

Patron saints are a common part of Catholic worship in England. However, the Catholic Church has a distinctively English flavor. There are 170 churches dedicated to God. In addition, fifteen churches have a dedicated statue to the Holy Cross. Eighty-five churches have shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. These churches are frequently referred to by their names. The most popular designation for patrons is St. Mary’s, although the name “Our Lady” is often used in conjunction with other titles.

St. Therese, also known as “The Little Flower,” is the patron saint of missionaries. On World Mission Sunday, St. John Paul II made St. Therese Doctor of the Universal Church. She prayed for missionaries throughout her life and attained maturity of spirit and understanding. This made her an inspirational figure for all young people. It was only fitting that she also be made patron of missionaries. But she did so much more than pray for missionaries.

Patron saints are named after their respective professions and hobbies. You may be able to determine your patron saint from your hobbies and interests. Many professions are named after a patron saint. For example, fishermen are often named after St. Peter, while doctors and carpenters have patrons named after St. Luke and Joseph. Likewise, hospitals and lost causes are named after a patron saint. Travelers should consider St. Christopher, who is the patron saint of travelers and often has a small statue on their car dashboards. Some of the patron saints for missionaries include St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Francis of Assis, and St. John Paul II.

Saint Kateri was a Mohawk woman who lost her family at an early age due to a smallpox epidemic. She embraced Christianity when she was a young girl, despite the fact that she was an immigrant from another country. Despite persecution, she eventually converted to Christianity and became a virgin. She embodied the indigenous culture of her people, demonstrating how faith and the Catholic faith can be part of one’s life.

St. John is another patron saint of Christians who are on pilgrimage. He is one of the twelve apostles and was accompanied by his brothers, Simon Peter and John. He was also present in the Transfiguration of Christ, and joined him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Many pilgrims have followed his footsteps to the final resting place in Santiago de Compostela. A number of people have died in his honor.