Patron Saints?

[TheWanderer]

Do you have a patron saint? If so, who?

When I was Confirmed, I took on the name Therese, after
St. Therese of Lisieux/The Little Flower (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=105)

I also consider St. John Baptist de la Salle (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=153) and Pope Saint Gregory the Great (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=54)
as noteworthy to me, because they are the patron saints of teachers, and I am an Education Major.

[Agaliha]

This is going to sound odd coming from me as Christainity isn't my path. I'm not even Catholic. I have a weird relationship with Catholicism linked to my past life (a monk) and my life now. I am often comforted by Catholicism in a way no other faith has comforted me (on an emotional level-- I've even felt an urge to be a nun....). It's hard to explain. This draw isn't enough to make me convert or join the faith as I disagree with a lot of things dealing with the Church...and I'm lacking faith in areas required to be Catholic. Anway. Looooong disclaimer. :lol:

I have a close...I don't know what word to use...relationship? Connection might be more like it, to Saints Perpetua and Felicitas. Some months ago I came upon their stories and it was though them that I was able to discover my past life. In a way, though I'm not Catholic I consider them my paton Saints. Or at least guides or some sort. Their story touched me on some deep level that I can't really explain...

Some links about them:
Saints Perpetua and Felicitas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutsHb5NFMj8BSK1XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2b2gzdDdtBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=12enpp5ao/EXP=1167376519/**http%3a//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saints_Perpetua_and_Felicitas)
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutsHb5NFMj8BVK1XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2bGViN2ZsBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDNARzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=11u245csd/EXP=1167376519/**http%3a//www.newadvent.org/cathen/06029a.htm)
The History of Saints Felicitas and Perpetua (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutsHb5NFMj8BXK1XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2bWNrYzd0BGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDNgRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=12i47jth7/EXP=1167376519/**http%3a//www.saintfelicitas.org/Userpages%2520Church/history.htm)
Medieval Sourcebook: St. Perpetua: The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, 203 AD (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutsHb5NFMj8BaK1XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB2Zmc2bnRtBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDOQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=127uc0qp5/EXP=1167376519/**http%3a//www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/perpetua.html)
Acts of Perpetua and Felicitas (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutsHb5NFMj8BbK1XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEwM2lzbnRtBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMTAEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQD/SIG=12b6go8i0/EXP=1167376519/**http%3a//www.earlychristianwritings.com/actsperpetua.html)
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity - Catholic Online (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutecb5NFWT0AOh1XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEwN3NhaXNsBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMTEEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQD/SIG=12aprbc3r/EXP=1167376668/**http%3a//www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php%3fsaint_id=92)

There are tons more sites about them, I've read so many in my reasearch! These are just a few...

[Sage Rainsong]

Well this is going to be a little weird comming from me because I am no longer a Catholic but I do have an odd saint story. You see I was born premature and my mother prayed to Saint Anthony of Padua. She basically said that if he protected me throughout my life she would give me the middle name of Anthony. It would have been my first name but my mother hated the name Tony and she didn't want people calling me that. So no matter how non-Catholic that I get I will have that connection. Unless I change my name I guess, but I like it and I see no need to. Plus it would be a huge pain in the ass to do so lol! My confirmation name is Raphael (as in the archangel) but that ceremony wasn't very significant to me.

[Solya]

Mmm, I haven't got a Confirmation name. I never even heard about this custom up until this point, even though I have been Confirmed! However, if there is any saint I could name as my patron saint... it would probably be Joan of Arc. Her story always fascinated me from the moment I heard about it and, in a sense, she is recognisable to me because of her strong sense of purpose and the way in which she lived her life. I have always admired her. The steadfastness of her faith alone is something I have always marvelled at.

[LostSheep]

Ah, nice to see the dust being shaken off some of these old threads now they've a new home.

Naturally, i feel drawn towards Saint Drogo (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintd17.htm), who, among a wide range of other responsibilities :

coffee house keepers
coffee house owners
deaf people
Fleury-sur-Loire
mentally ill people
midwives
mute people
mutes
orphans
sick people
unattractive people,


is also the patron saint of


sheep
shepherds.



and, interestingly enough, good old St George (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintg05.htm), who among his many other accomplishments, also looks after
sheep
shepherds.


An interesting site, that, incidentally. http://saints.sqpn.com/ is the main page, should anyone wish to peruse.

[David19]

Ah, nice to see the dust being shaken off some of these old threads now they've a new home.

Naturally, i feel drawn towards Saint Drogo (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintd17.htm), who, among a wide range of other responsibilities :

coffee house keepers
coffee house owners
deaf people
Fleury-sur-Loire
mentally ill people
midwives
mute people
mutes
orphans
sick people
unattractive people,


is also the patron saint of


sheep
shepherds.



and, interestingly enough, good old St George (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintg05.htm), who among his many other accomplishments, also looks after
sheep
shepherds.


An interesting site, that, incidentally. http://saints.sqpn.com/ is the main page, should anyone wish to peruse.

I can't give you karma, but thanks for that interesting site, I'll definitely take a look at it :).

[LacyRoze]

An interesting site, that, incidentally. http://saints.sqpn.com/ is the main page, should anyone wish to peruse.

Cool site Sheepy!! Can't wait to explore it more. Thanx for sharing!

[Philosophia]

A Saint I am particularly close to is Saint Catherine of Alexandria (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=341).

[Fireheart]

*subscribes*

I love hearing about the saints! :)

[Shanti]

What is the purpose of a patron saint? Can it be like a spirit guide for a person?

I never understood the concept of a patron saint.

If they are picked by the person..what if that saint doesn't want to be picked?
What if a different one wanted you to pick it but you didn't know?

[David19]

A Saint I am particularly close to is Saint Catherine of Alexandria (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=341).

Thanks for that interesting article, and site :).



*subscribes*

I love hearing about the saints! :)

Me too, like I've said before on MW, I like Christian Mythology (and Jewish, Muslim, etc), and the Saints always seemed quite a cool part of it, IMO.

[David19]

What is the purpose of a patron saint? Can it be like a spirit guide for a person?

I never understood the concept of a patron saint.

If they are picked by the person..what if that saint doesn't want to be picked?
What if a different one wanted you to pick it but you didn't know?

I can't answer all your questions, as I'm not a Catholic, and I haven't really had much experience with the Saints, but, for your last 2 questions, I think, maybe, if you picked a Saint, who's to say, that Saint that inspire you, somehow, to pick them?, or maybe it was the Jewish/Christian/Islamic/etc God who inspired you or something, etc, but the point is, maybe, even if you think you're just "choosing them", maybe they've actually inspired you, or drawn you, etc to them.

Did that make any sense?.

[Philosophia]

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.

From here (http://www.catholic.org/saints/patron.php).


In those denominations of Christianity that believe in the intercession of saints, the patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who has special affinity for that group and its members. Prayers by such people are considered more likely to be answered by their patron saint. Some consider it a special devotion to God by displaying humility in asking a saint for intercession rather than expecting to be answered themselves, calling to mind Job 42:8, which implies God's favour to the virtuous.

From here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patron_saint).

[Shanti]

Thanks guys!! :smile:

Another question...can any saint be a patron saint?

[LostSheep]

I don't see why any saint couldn't be someone patron saint personally; if someone feels drawn towards one in particular, if they feel that they've helped them in times of need or something like that, then they might well see them as their patron, I expect.

[LostSheep]

It's quite interesting to look up which saints share your birthday, as it were. For instance, on my (http://saints.sqpn.com/day1123.htm) birthday, it's all these saints' feast days:


Pope St. Clement I
Adalbert of Casauria
St. Columban
Blessed Miguel Pro
Gregory of Girgenti
Guy of Casauria
St. Amphilocus
St. Wilfretrudis
St. Trudo
St. Rachilidis
St. Paternian
St. Paulhen



St Columban (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=38) had a particularly exciting life.

[Philosophia]

On my birthday, it was these saints:

* Alfonso Navarrete Benito
* All Saints of Ireland
* Atticus
* Barlaam
* Christina of Stommeln
* Demetrian
* Edwen
* Efflam of Brittany
* Erlafrid of Hirschau
* Felix of Fondi
* Felix of Thynissa
* Francis Ferdinand de Capillas
* Galla
* Illtyd
* Israel
* Joseph Khang
* Josepha Naval Girbes
* Leonard of Noblac
* Leonard of Reresby
* Leonianus of Autun
* Margaret of Lorraine
* Melaine of Rennes
* Nonius Alvarez de Pereira
* Pinnock
* Severus of Barcelona
* Simon of Aulne
* Stephen of Apt
* Ten Martyrs of Antioch
* Winnoc

Here (http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/bydate.asp) is another good site for looking at saint days (though it focuses on Roman Catholic Saints).

[David19]

From here (http://www.catholic.org/saints/patron.php).



From here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patron_saint).

Thanks for the info, I really find this interesting :).



Thanks guys!! :smile:

Another question...can any saint be a patron saint?


I don't see why any saint couldn't be someone patron saint personally; if someone feels drawn towards one in particular, if they feel that they've helped them in times of need or something like that, then they might well see them as their patron, I expect.

I agree with LostSheep, I don't think there's any reason why you can't have any Patron Saint, if you feel drawn to one, or if one chooses you, or if they help you in some way, or you like them, etc, then, maybe they can be your Patron Saint or Saints (can you have more than one Patron Saint?).

[David19]

It's quite interesting to look up which saints share your birthday, as it were. For instance, on my (http://saints.sqpn.com/day1123.htm) birthday, it's all these saints' feast days:


Pope St. Clement I
Adalbert of Casauria
St. Columban
Blessed Miguel Pro
Gregory of Girgenti
Guy of Casauria
St. Amphilocus
St. Wilfretrudis
St. Trudo
St. Rachilidis
St. Paternian
St. Paulhen



St Columban (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=38) had a particularly exciting life.


On my birthday, it was these saints:

* Alfonso Navarrete Benito
* All Saints of Ireland
* Atticus
* Barlaam
* Christina of Stommeln
* Demetrian
* Edwen
* Efflam of Brittany
* Erlafrid of Hirschau
* Felix of Fondi
* Felix of Thynissa
* Francis Ferdinand de Capillas
* Galla
* Illtyd
* Israel
* Joseph Khang
* Josepha Naval Girbes
* Leonard of Noblac
* Leonard of Reresby
* Leonianus of Autun
* Margaret of Lorraine
* Melaine of Rennes
* Nonius Alvarez de Pereira
* Pinnock
* Severus of Barcelona
* Simon of Aulne
* Stephen of Apt
* Ten Martyrs of Antioch
* Winnoc

Here (http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/bydate.asp) is another good site for looking at saint days (though it focuses on Roman Catholic Saints).

Again, thanks for those very cool, and interesting, links, I'm really loving learning about Catholic beliefs, and the Saints.

Here are Saints, and Feast Days, who share my birthday (the 27th July (http://saints.sqpn.com/day0727.htm)):


Alphonsus Pacheco
Anthusa
Arethas
Aurelius
Bartholomea Capitanjo
Constantine
Cunegundes
Dionysius
Ecclesius
Felix of Nicomedia
George
Hermippus
Hermocrates
Hermolaus
John Serapion
Jucunda of Nicomedia
Julia of Nicomedia
Lillian
Lucy Bufalari
Malchus
Maria Grazia Tarallo
Martinian
Mary Magdelene Martinengo
Maurus
Maximaian
Natalia
Pantaleon
Robert Nutter
Rudolf Aquaviva
Theobald of Marly

Seems like a very cool list, I only know, I think, 2 of them, but I'll research them, and the rest - Constantine and Mary Magdelene Martinengo (is that the same Mary Magdelene, who, allegedly, was married, or had a relationship, with Jesus?).

Very cool list, and, they have a very cool birthday/Festival Day (obvously, my birthday!).

[BlackLili]

When I turned 15 and was confirmed as a Catholic with my age-mates, I took on the name Or, for Saint Or (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6458), who was a third-century Egyptian abbot, and an ascetic hermit. He's also counted as one of the first black saints in several books I researched about him.

I took the name just to be difficult at first. I told everyone it was to provide the world with the choice to call me either by my first and middle names, OR by my last name. :devil:

Since I've started working with African-based faiths and constructs though, it makes me wonder about the serendipity of choosing him.

Saints with Feasts on my birthday:


St. Raymond of Pennafort (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=315)
St. Aidric (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1194)
St. Anastasius XVIII (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1364)
St. Brannock (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1827)
St. Valentine (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2158)
St. Theodore of Egypt (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2214)
St. Canute Lavard (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2591)
Bl. Edward Waterson (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3059)
St. Emilian (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3116)
St. Felix & Januarius (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3319)
St. Julian of Cagliari (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4113)
St. Kentigerna (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4166)
St. Lucian of Antioch (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4326)
St. Reinold (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4577)
St. Nicetas of Remesiana (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4844)
Albert of Siena
Aldric (http://saints.sqpn.com/sainta6c.htm)
Ambrose Fernandez (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintad3.htm)
Anastasius of Sens (http://saints.sqpn.com/sainta6e.htm)
Athanasius of Attalia
Baptism of the Lord
Canute Lavard (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1u.htm)
Cedd (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1z.htm)
Charles of Sezze (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc23.htm)
Clerus of Antioch (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1v.htm)
Crispin I of Pavia (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1w.htm)
Crispin II of Pavia (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1x.htm)
Cronan Beg (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1y.htm)
Emilian of Saujon (http://saints.sqpn.com/sainte0m.htm)
Joseph Tuan
Maria Teresa Haze
Polyeuctus of Melitene (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintp2v.htm)
Raymond of Penyafort (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintr05.htm)
Reinhold (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintr72.htm)
Tillo of Solignac (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintt90.htm)
Wittikund of Westphalia (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintw44.htm)

[David19]

When I turned 15 and was confirmed as a Catholic with my age-mates, I took on the name Or, for Saint Or (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6458), who was a third-century Egyptian abbot, and an ascetic hermit. He's also counted as one of the first black saints in several books I researched about him.

I took the name just to be difficult at first. I told everyone it was to provide the world with the choice to call me either by my first and middle names, OR by my last name. :devil:

Since I've started working with African-based faiths and constructs though, it makes me wonder about the serendipity of choosing him.

Saints with Feasts on my birthday:


St. Raymond of Pennafort (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=315)
St. Aidric (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1194)
St. Anastasius XVIII (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1364)
St. Brannock (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1827)
St. Valentine (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2158)
St. Theodore of Egypt (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2214)
St. Canute Lavard (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2591)
Bl. Edward Waterson (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3059)
St. Emilian (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3116)
St. Felix & Januarius (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3319)
St. Julian of Cagliari (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4113)
St. Kentigerna (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4166)
St. Lucian of Antioch (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4326)
St. Reinold (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4577)
St. Nicetas of Remesiana (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4844)
Albert of Siena
Aldric (http://saints.sqpn.com/sainta6c.htm)
Ambrose Fernandez (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintad3.htm)
Anastasius of Sens (http://saints.sqpn.com/sainta6e.htm)
Athanasius of Attalia
Baptism of the Lord
Canute Lavard (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1u.htm)
Cedd (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1z.htm)
Charles of Sezze (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc23.htm)
Clerus of Antioch (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1v.htm)
Crispin I of Pavia (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1w.htm)
Crispin II of Pavia (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1x.htm)
Cronan Beg (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc1y.htm)
Emilian of Saujon (http://saints.sqpn.com/sainte0m.htm)
Joseph Tuan
Maria Teresa Haze
Polyeuctus of Melitene (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintp2v.htm)
Raymond of Penyafort (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintr05.htm)
Reinhold (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintr72.htm)
Tillo of Solignac (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintt90.htm)
Wittikund of Westphalia (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintw44.htm)


That's quite cool, and, it may have been more than just chance, that you got called to an Egyptian and/or African Saint.

You've got a cool list too :).

[LostSheep]

Again, thanks for those very cool, and interesting, links, I'm really loving learning about Catholic beliefs, and the Saints.

Here are Saints, and Feast Days, who share my birthday (the 27th July (http://saints.sqpn.com/day0727.htm)):



Seems like a very cool list, I only know, I think, 2 of them, but I'll research them, and the rest - Constantine and Mary Magdelene Martinengo (is that the same Mary Magdelene, who, allegedly, was married, or had a relationship, with Jesus?).

Very cool list, and, they have a very cool birthday/Festival Day (obvously, my birthday!).

Blessed Robert Nutter (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintr2f.htm) is quite an interesting one; and and example of how the canonisation process is more stringent now.


Returned to England with Blessed George Haydock to minister to covert Catholics. He worked for two years, was imprisoned and tortured in the Tower of London for two years, and then exiled for the crime of being a priest. After a few months in France to recover, he returned to England; he was arrested almost immediately and spent nearly 15 years in prison. Joined the Dominicans in prison, received into the order by the Provincial of Portugal. He managed to escape in March 1600, was re-captured in May, lodged in Wisbich Castle, tortured, and finally hanged with Blessed Edward Thwing. One of the 85 Martyrs of England, Scotland and Wales.

Died
hanged on 26 July 1600 at Lancaster, England

Venerated
10 November 1986 by Pope John Paul II

Beatified
22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized
pending

He's still in the in-tray, then, despite all that.

[David19]

Blessed Robert Nutter (http://saints.sqpn.com/saintr2f.htm) is quite an interesting one; and and example of how the canonisation process is more stringent now.


He's still in the in-tray, then, despite all that.

He does seem interesting, and, you would think he would be made a Saint now, he has waited about 400 years.

[MariThorn]

My patron saints are St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Cecilia. I was not christened in the Catholic Church as a child, but when I went through RCIA I didn't want my first name changed in the Churches books. Her name is the Master of my real name, and as I fight with sexual issues - all I'm saying - and she is the patron saint for help against sexual immorality it fit. St. Cecilia is my confirmation name as I lead music, play music, and in general always have a song going in my mind. (She is patron saint of musicians.) So, in the official books I'm known as Catherine Cecilia Capella. I have other saints that I work with, but they are not my patrons.

Regarding Mary Magdalene - I believe her feast day is July 22. I'd have to look that up.

For me, Patrons are those who you work with in your daily life, and people who inspire you and are role models. I would never see either of the ones I am named after as protecting me. St. Benedict . . . he I can see protecting me. I work with him in a lot of my witch work, as he is patron saint against evil doers -read witches oddly enough in medieval text- I also have a medallion of St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint of women who cannot have kids . . . its just plain comforting to pray to him at times, if you catch my drift.

[Sequoia]

I was never baptized, so I don't have a patron saint. Aww. :(

[Agaliha]

I was never baptized, so I don't have a patron saint. Aww. :(

Same. I'm not Christian, but there are some saints I'm fond of, like Perpetua and Felicitas and a few others. You can get patron saints through other means, though, not just baptism.

What makes a saint a saint? (http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=196099)


People can get Patrons from many reasons:
Their birthday, saints have feast days throughout the calender
Their baptismal name "Christian name" give by your parents
Their confirmation name that they chose, from what I understand is usually after a saint
If they have a profession (St. Michael the Archangel is the patron of cops, for example)
Ones they're personally close to
Ones they call on for problems and things that are temporary (ie Saint Apollonia for toothaches, etc)
Etc

[LostSheep]

I was never baptized, so I don't have a patron saint. Aww. :(

I'm sure that any of those who share your birthday, as in that list above, might fit the bill.

[Clair de la Lune]

I am not baptized either but I was told by someone else who is psychic that I have at least one patron saint I should be praying to now and she told me his name. I will re-confirm this when I see her again at my friends' house.

Apparently everyone has one. You just have to be open to the saint/archangel and what they are trying to tell you.:weirdsmil

[Agaliha]

I am not baptized either but I was told by someone else who is psychic that I have at least one patron saint I should be praying to now and she told me his name. I will re-confirm this when I see her again at my friends' house.

Apparently everyone has one. You just have to be open to the saint/archangel and what they are trying to tell you.:weirdsmil

Are you sure you're not confusing patron saints with angels in general? Some archangels are patron saints in Catholicism, but that's one POV, it's not a sweeping generalization. Saints have been people, whereas, as lore goes, angels have not. It gets slightly confusing, though as Catholicism has angels are saints as well. I've never heard that everyone has a patron saint, (because not everyone is Christian) but I have heard that everyone as a (guardian) angel (because they're said to transcend religion). Maybe the one you were told was yours just happened to be a saint in Catholicism (Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, etc), hence the confusion?

Just curious is all.

[LostSheep]

Just out of interest, this I suppose is the nearest you'd get to an "official" line regarding patron saints. --> http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11562a.htm

As they say,
These patrons with very many others were chosen on account of some real correspondence between the patron and the object of patronage, or by reason of some play on words, or as a matter of individual piety.
so it does seem as if the criteria are pretty flexible.

[Morr]

*bump*


I favor St. Bernadette of Lourds.

I always ignored my connection to Mary and the Saints, but it is hitting me hard currently and I am trying to figure out why I am so drawn to them... I am not Catholic, nor Christian in any way, I wasn't raised in those religions, nor do I agree with the dogma Catholicism teaches... But I can't help but feel admiration, love, and piety towards Mary and the Saints... I just can't figure it out.. *sigh*

I feel other Saints calling me.. I just need to find them..

[Morr]

Update, 2 years later LOL!

Saint Therese of Lisieux (Little Flower) and Saint Catherine of Siena.

And of course, Mary (especially as Our Lady of Good Remedy and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary).

[teopiltzin]

I was born loosely Catholic. Only really went to church on special days though. My dad was always a free thinker, a believer in Creator and the powers of the Cosmos, rather than a follower of religious dogma. However, when I found out that on my grandfather's death-bed he had visions of Santo Niño de Atocha and that he had venerated and made pilgrimages to holy sites related to this saint, I began to venerate this saint myself. As a young child, I remember seeing this saint's image in my abuelo's home.

So now, as a grown up and as a spiritual practitioner, I have a candle dedicated to this saint on my altar that I anoint with the corresponding oil. Also, I venerate all the Catholic images corresponding to each of the Orishas in Santeria, particularly the Seven African Powers, but that's more syncretist than Abrahamic. A saint that has particularly helped with health in this past is St. Lazarus, who cured my nausea and other ailments.

[GabrielWithoutWings]

I've never been baptized or confirmed but I still have a certain likeness for some saints:

St John Chrysostom - For his liturgy and beautiful homilies
Mary Magdalene - Possibly Christ's wife, the humble sinner who is loved enough to be the first to see the Risen Lord, Apostola Apostolorum
St Thomas - For the agnostic in me, the Doubter, the I-need-physical-evidence-because-I-refuse-to-believe-your-bull**** saint, possibly twin brother of Jesus
St Francis of Assisi - For his gentleness and finder of God in nature
Patriarch Jonah - The Exemplar of Rebelliousness, God tells him that he needs to go to a city and Jonah not only refuses but runs away and boards a ship

[Kalioppee]

I was raised Roman Catholic but our family was not into going much, still, I always had a fascination for Mary and the Saints. I have tried to be Pagan but I keep coming back and now, I am exploring Orthodoxy which is where Roman Catholic faith came from and it too is a form of Catholic with Saints and also Akathist "rituals" for some of the Saints. For me this has made honoring the Saints almost like the Goddess of paganism although we are not worshiping but honoring their life.

My main patron saint is St. Helena http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_%28Empress%29

Other special ones of mine are St. John Chrysostom - For his liturgy in all the Orthodox churches, St. Mary Magdalene, Myrrh-Bearer and Equal of the Apostles- This is why the Lord, knowing her faithfulness, appeared to her first, and esteemed her worthy to be first to proclaim His Resurrection. St. Anastasia, the Deliverer from Potions, St. Tabitha the Widow, Raised from the Dead by the Apostle Peter St. Tabitha is considered the patron saint of tailors and seamstresses, since she was known for sewing coats and other garments (Acts 9:39) and also Icon of Sophia, the Wisdom of God.

http://www.antiochian.org/AW-WomenSaints