What is a Patron Saint?

Here is the modern outworking of this very ancient and widely held doctrine of global, historic Christianity. It stands a tacit witness to global, historic Christianity's belief that, since the disappearance of the Apostles, the dead in Christ have somehow been raised up to positions of involved, Christ-delegated authority over the Church and the World. This is very much akin to what was foreseen in Rev 20:4-6 & Rev 21-22 of the glorified Saints ruling with God & Christ over the Creation.

From: http://www.catholic.org/saints/patron.php

Related Links: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/patrons.asp

http://www.scborromeo.org/patron.htm

Patron Saints

What is a patron saint?
Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life. These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, causes -- anything that is important to us. The earliest records show that people and churches were named after apostles and martyrs as early as the fourth century.

Recently, the popes have named patron saints but patrons can be chosen by other individuals or groups as well. Patron saints are often chosen today because an interest, talent, or event in their lives overlaps with the special area.

For example, Francis of Assisi loved nature and so he is patron of ecologists. Francis de Sales was a writer and so he is patron of journalists and writers. Clare of Assisi was named patron of television because one Christmas when she was too ill to leave her bed she saw and heard Christmas Mass -- even though it was taking place miles away.

Angels can also be named as patron saints.A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God.


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AIDS care-giversAloysius Gonzaga
AIDS patientsAloysius Gonzaga, Peregrine Laziosi, Therese of Lisieux
Abandoned childrenIvo of Kermartin, Jerome Emiliani
Abbeville, FranceWulfram of Sens
Abdominal painsErasmus (Elmo)
Abingdon, EnglandEdmund Rich of Abingdon
Abortion, protection againstCatherine of Sweden
Abruzzi region of ItalyGabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Academies, Roman CatholicThomas Aquinas
Acadians, CajunsOur Lady of the Assumption
AccountantsMatthew
Accused (falsely)Raymond Nonnatus
AchaiaAndrew, Apostle
ActorsGenesius, Vitus
Advertisers, advertisingBernardine of Siena
AdvocatesIvo of Kermartin
Africa, CentralThe Most Pure Heart of Mary
Africa, NorthCyprian of Carthage
Africa, SouthernMary, on feast of her Assumption
African Catholic Youth ActionCharles Lwanga
Agirone, SicilyPhilip of Agirone
Air crewOur Lady of Loreto
Air crew, BelgianOur Lady of Loreto
Air crew, FrenchMary, on feast of her Assumption
Air crew, SpanishOur Lady of Loreto
Air force, ArgentinianOur Lady of Loreto
Air travelersJoseph of Cupertino
Airborne (Paratroopers)Michael the Archangel
Alabama USAOur Lady of the Gulf
Alaska USAOur Lady of the Kodiak and the Islands
AlbaniaMary, Mother of Good Counsel
Albi, FranceCecilia
Alcala, SpainJustus and Pastor
Alcira, Valencia, SpainBernard, Gracia, Mary
Alessandro, ItalyTrifone
Alexandria, EgyptCyril of Alexandria
AlexiansAlexius
Alezio, ItalyOur Lady of the Assumption
AlgeriaCyprian of Carthage
Alpine troopsMaurice
AlpinistsBernard of Montjoux (or Menthon)
Altar serversJohn Berchmans
Amalfi, ItalyAndrew, Apostle
Ambassadors, ArgentinianGabriel the Archangel
American Indians, Native AmericansAnthony of Padua
AmericasOur Lady of Guadalupe, Rose of Lima
Ammunition/Ordnance /explosive workersErasmus (Elmo)
Ancona, ItalyJudas Cyriacus
AndalusiaJohn of Avila
Anderlecht, BelgiumGuy of Anderlecht
Andorran security forcesOur Lady Help of Christians
AnesthetistsRene Goupil
AngolaThe Most Pure Heart of Mary
AnimalsFrancis of Assisi, Nicholas of Tolentino
Animals, danger fromVitus
Animals, domesticAntony the Abbot
AntiochBarnabas
Antwerp, BelgiumWalburga
Aosta, ItalyGratus of Aosta
ApologistsCatherine of Alexandria, Justin Martyr, Thomas Aquinas
Apoplexy (Strokes)Andrew Avellino
Apostleship of PrayerFrancis Xavier
ApothecariesCosmas and Damian
ApprenticesJohn Bosco
Aquila, ItalyMaximus of Aquila
ArabiaOur Lady of Arabia
Aragon, SpainAgathoclia, Braulio, George
ArchaeologistsDamasus
Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri, USALouis IX
Archdiocese of San Francisco, California, USAFrancis of Assisi
Archdiocese of Tuam, IrelandJarlath
ArchersSebastian
ArchitectsBarbara, Thomas, Apostle
Architects, ItalianBenedict, Abbot
Architects, SpanishOur Lady of Bethlehem
ArgentinaOur Lady of Lujan
Argentinian military chaplainsOur Lady of Lujan
ArizonaOur Lady of the Highways
ArkansasOur Lady of the Holy Souls
ArmeniaBartholomew, Gregory the Illuminator
ArmiesMaurice
Arms dealersAdrian of Nicomedia
Army of the AndesOur Lady of Mt. Carmel
Army, ArgentinianOur Lady of Mercy
Army, EcuadorianOur Lady of Mercy
ArtCatherine of Bologna
ArtilleryBarbara
ArtistsLuke, Catherine of Bologna, Bl (Fra) Angelico
Artois regionIsberga
Ascoli Piceno, ItalyEmidius
Asia MinorJohn the Apostle
Assisi, ItalyFrancis of Assisi
AstronautsJoseph of Cupertino
AstronomersDominic
Asylums (for the mentally ill)Dymphna
AthletesSebastian
AugsburgAfra, Ulric
AustraliaOur Lady Help of Christians
Australian military chaplainsOur Lady Help of Christians
AustriaJoseph, Maurice, Coloman, Leopold, Florian
Authority, persons inFerdinand III of Castile
AuthorsFrancis de Sales
Avenay, Champagne, FranceTressan of Mareuil
Aviators, aviationOur Lady of Loreto, Therese of Lisieux, Joseph of Cupertino
AvignonAgricola of Avignon, Benezet
Aynac, FranceGenistus



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