As we walk our spiritual journey, we know that sometimes we face challenges that may seem overwhelming. But we must remember that we are not alone, for we have an army of saints in heaven who are always ready to help us in our time of need. In this post, we will explore how we can call upon our patron saints to assist us in specific situations.
As Catholics we are no strangers of the power of saints and will likely have on hand a few favorite patron saints that we pray to in times of need.
What Does The Term Patron Saint Mean?
In our faith, we believe that each saint has a unique role to play in our lives. Saints are revered figures that are venerated by the Church and are often known for accomplishing amazing deeds in their lifetime. Each saint must be canonized by the Church after undergoing a long assessment process.
For instance, St. Benedict of Nursia is well-known for his unwavering faith in God and ability to thwart the devil’s schemes. When he prayed over a glass of poisoned wine that was offered to Him, the glass shattered for it bore in it the grip of death that could not withstand the divine sign of life. This amongst other things are why he is known as the saint of protection from evil.
A patron saint is a particular saint who has been chosen to intercede on our behalf for a particular need. They may have a connection to a certain profession, illness, or perhaps the geographical location of where they were born or worked certain miracles before. When we pray to that patron saint for that particular cause, we call upon their intercession and as well as guidance as a model of faith.
What Does It Mean When We Pray to a Particular Saint? Shouldn’t We Pray Directly to God?
This is a great question that often gets many Christians confused. To answer this question, one needs to understand the difference between worship and intercession.
The truest form of our Christian worship is directed only to God, the Holy trinity. We are not in fact, worshipping saints but asking for their intercession our behalf for specific needs. Have much greater faith and devotion to the Lord than those here on earth. For those that
“The prayer of the righteous has great power in effects”, as declared by James. The bible is filled with encouragements for us as Christians to intercede for one another and pray on behalf of others, for there is strength in the power of our divine communion as one body of Christ.
Just as we would ask a friend to pray for us, we ask the saints to do the same. The only difference being that Saints are much closer to God for they have already undergone their own spiritual trials and enlightenment in the faith. This does not take away from our direct relationship with God, but rather enhances it.
Why Are There Saints For Different Occasions?
Now that we have established the importance of asking others to pray for our needs, we know that saints are holy people who have lived their lives as a model of faith and are now been glorified in heaven.
This is why they make the perfect intercessors for us especially in difficult or trying times because of their special connection to God and can help us obtain the graces that we need.
Different saints are considered “patron saints” for particular causes because of their accomplishments in life or specific trials that they have had to overcome. Not always were they able to overcome these trials in a physical sense, for instance St. Sebastien was tortured to death for his faith, but they were all already enlightened by their unrelenting faith in God.
Here are some popular saints:
- St. Jude – For Desperate Causes
- St. Michael – For Protection
- St. Benedict – To Banish Evil
- St. Raphael – For Miracles of Healing
- St. Anthony – For Recovery of Lost Things
- St. Joseph – Fathers & Homes
- St. Thomas Aquinas – Saint of education & knowledge
What’s The Right Way To Call On a Saint For Help
When we call upon saints for help, it does not mean that we simply cast our prayers into the sky and hope they will grant all our supplications. We should always approach all prayer requests with reverence & humility which is pleasing to God.
- Choose a patron saint that is relevant to your situation. You may already have a particular saint that you feel a connection to, but if not, do some research and choose a saint that is associated with your need.
- Create a space for prayer. This could be a quiet corner in your home or a spot in your church. A please where you will not be disturbed or distracted from prayer. This is a time to turn your attention & focus to God.
- Always start by giving thanks to God. Imagine if your nephew always came up to you immediately demanding for a dollar. No matter how cute he might be, you would eventually feel unappreciated. This is why we should always give thanks to God for all the blessings that He has given us. These positive energies will set up the stage for our prayers.
- Be specific in your request. Tell your saint what you need, and ask for their help in obtaining it.
- Display Gratitude & Reverence When your prayer is answered, remember to thank your patron saint for their help.
As Catholics we have a rich tradition of calling upon the saints for their intercession in difficult times. They serve as powerful reminders of God’s love for us and his desire to help us in our time of need. Let us remember to approach the saints with reverence and humility, and to follow in their examples of a life dedicated to God.
