Patron Saints
A patron saint is an intercessor for a particular need, trade, illness, place or group of people — usually because of something in their own life. Find the patron close to what you are praying for, read their story, and ask for their prayers.
How patronage works
Patronage grows in two ways. Sometimes the Church formally names a saint as patron of a country, a diocese, a profession or a cause. More often devotion simply spreads because the saint's life speaks directly to a particular struggle — a young person who used the internet for good, a mother who chose her child's life over her own, a catechist killed while teaching the faith.
Asking a patron saint to pray for you is not praying instead of praying to God. It is asking a friend who is already with God to pray alongside you, the way you would ask anyone you trust to pray for you.
Keep exploring
- Catholic saints — the stages from Servant of God to canonization, explained.
- Saint of the day — today's feast and the feast days coming next.
- Catholic prayers — prayers to pray with your patron saint.
- Novenas — nine days of prayer for one intention.
- Modern day martyrs — Christians killed for the faith in our own lifetime.