Patron Saints

Saint Bonaventure

What do you want to be the patron saint of?  Spending too much money at Starbucks? Ace-ing Algebra? Being Awesome?  Don’t laugh; it’s a valid question.

We are all called to be saints, whether or not we get the “St.” before our names in the saint books.  Almost all the saints in the ‘giant book of saints’ have various (some would even say random) things they are patrons of.  Many are patrons of more than one thing.  So when – not if – you are named a saint, what do you want to be the patron of?

The interesting thing is that the saints didn’t get to pick their patronage.  It was assigned to them according their experiences, hobbies, talents and struggles, as well as the needs of the Universal Church. I am pretty sure that St Isidore of Seville (who died in 601) never got online, but he was named the patron saint of the Internet in 1999.  How about St. Hubert of Liege? He is the patron saint of mad dogs because of his love for hunting. St. Dymphna? She is the patron saint of mental illness because her father suffered greatly and in the end, took his daughter’s life. Or my personal favorite – St. Bonaventure – he is the patron saint of bowel disorders, as well as a Doctor of the Church.  Why? The Lord (and Bonaventure) only knows.

Okay, maybe “bowel movements” weren’t on the top of your list for possible patrons, but isn’t it comforting that we have a Church that gives us a patron for just about everything imaginable? From skaters to students to snake bite victims, the communion of saints has you covered.  And that is really the point.

Our loving Father and our mother Church want us to know that we are not alone.  In every situation, every circumstance, every location there are saints praying for us.  The saints are not just pristine marble statues lining the walls of our churches; they are real men and women whose stories we can relate to and, along our journey, we can ask for help from.  The prayer doesn’t have to be formal or fancy, just asking for the patron saint to pray for you and help you become a saint as well.

Want to find a patron saint for your situation?  Check out www.catholic.org/saints.

Take the time to connect with the big brother or big sister who knows what you are going through.  Remember, you are never alone; there is an army of saints praying for you in heaven right now.

PS – Have a date tonight? Ask St. Dwynwen to pray for both of you.  And if your dog is sick, she can pray for that too.