Patron Saints

In Catholic tradition, a patron saint is a canonised figure invoked to intercede on behalf of a person, a profession, a place or a cause. This form of popular devotion dates back to the early centuries of Christianity and has been enriched over time by local traditions across Europe and beyond.

Saint Jude Thaddaeus and Saint Rita of Cascia are both venerated as patrons of desperate and seemingly hopeless causes. Saint Rita (feast day 22 May) is known as the 'Advocate of the Impossible'; Saint Jude (feast day 28 October) is the apostle invoked when all other doors appear closed.

Saint Anthony of Padua (feast day 13 June) is the traditional patron of lost objects. The invocation 'Saint Anthony, good saint, please restore what I have lost' is one of the most widely recited prayers in Catholic popular devotion.

In Catholic tradition, your personal patron saint is typically the saint whose name you bear, celebrated in the liturgical calendar. You may also choose a saint whose life, virtues or patronages resonate with your own vocation, profession or personal circumstances: the Church leaves this devotion freely to each individual.

Saint Christopher (feast day 25 July) is the traditional patron saint of travellers and drivers in the Catholic tradition. His medal or image is still carried by many faithful seeking protection on the road. His patronage extends to pilgrims, motorists and sailors.

Yes: Catholic tradition assigns a patron to nearly every profession. Saint Joseph (feast day 19 March) is patron of workers; Saint Luke of physicians and painters; Saint Cecilia of musicians; Saint Francis de Sales of journalists; and Saint Francis of Assisi of animals and ecologists (feast day 4 October). These feast days are distributed throughout the liturgical calendar.