Know Your Saints, A Prayer Guide
85There's a Saint for Every Purpose Under Heaven
I come from a Catholic household. Catholic of the Irish variety. I qualify this because different ethnicities have special saints they pray to and have festivals to honor. I thought today would be a good day to tackle this subject because a) I just finished a hub on the subject of cats and dogs, b) cats and dogs are animals, c) October 4 is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. In fact, I just saw on the local news people bringing their pets to be blessed -- including one man whose 25-year-old tortoise gets blessed every year.
Obviously, if St. Francis' blessing has kept this tortoise alive 25 years, and the blessing of animals is deemed mainstream enough to make it onto the news (NBC affiliate, even), then praying to saints must work!!!
Direct Your Prayers to the Right Place
Pray to St. Anthony... or is it Jude?
There are patron saint for countries, professions, married people, single people, dying and childbirth. There are patron saints for diseases and disease prevention. In short, there's a patron saint for just about everything.
My earliest recollection of singling out a specific saint for "intercession" (that's the Catholic word for "help from a saint") was when I was 8. My brother and sister and I and our dog Sam went sledding. Somehow, the dog got loose, we ran to chase him, and in the hubbub lost the sled (or someone took it). As my mother sent us back out to search for the sled, she admonished us to pray to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost things.
Here's a quick prayer you can use if ever you misplace something:
Something's lost and can't be found, please St. Anthony, look around. Dear St. Anthony, I pray, bring it back without delay.
We never did find our sled, but as children, I don't think we took the whole St. Anthony intercession thing seriously.
Another commonly prayed to saint is Jude Thaddeus. Jude was one of the Apostles, thus he gets to be the patron saint of lots of things:
Jude's the saint to call on in a really dire situation or medical crisis. St. Jude is the proper way to address him (okay to drop the Thaddeus). But "Hey Jude" will probably not get you too far.
Familiar Saints
St. Patrick is widely known for bringing Christianity to Ireland, using a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. It's no wonder he become the patron saint of Ireland!But he shares that honor with St. Brigid of Kildare and St. Columba (in case you have need to pray for the Emerald Isle anytime soon, you can take your pick). And for reasons that are not immediately obvious, St. Patrick is also the patron saint of engineers -- and Nigeria.
We all know that St. Valentine is the patron saint of love, young people and happy marriages. He's also (fittingly) the patron saint of greetings. So how exactly did Valentine become associated with these things? One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."
If you're traveling, St. Christopher is the one for you. St. Christopher protects all manner of transporation related causes, including autombile drivers, truckers, sailors, transportation workers and taxi drivers. That's why it's common to see St. Christopher medallions on dashboards. Note that pilots get their own patron saints, St. Joseph of Cupertino and St. Therese of Lisieux. I'll get to female saints in a minute. Meanwhile, here's a prayer to help you on your way:
Dear Saint, you have inherited a beautiful name - Christbearer - as a result of a wonderful legend that while carrying people across a raging stream you also carried the Child Jesus. Teach us to be true Christbearers to those who do not know him. Protect all drivers who often transports those who bear Christ within them. Amen.
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Not All Saints are Men
St. Joan of Arc, St. Rose of Lima, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mary Magdalene -- these are all saints whose names are familiar. Here are some other women saints it might come in handy to know about:
Saint Rita of Cascia, patron saint of parenthood, infertility
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, patron saint of loss of parents
Saint Teresa Avila, patron saint of headaches
Saint Genevieve, patron saint of disasters
Saint Margaret Clitherow, patron saint of businesswomen (businessmen have their own saint, it's Homobonus)
Who's YOUR Patron Saint?
- Roman Catholic Patron Saints Index
Saint of the Day offers daily inspiring saints' stories and presents ways to apply their example. Send free Saints' e-greetings.
Guides to Life and Work
In some cases, the relation of a saint to a cause may not be obvious, but ours is not to question the authority that assigns these things. They know what they're doing. Feel free to explore the full list to discover who might be relevant to your situation.
I will tell you that in creating this hub I have found reason to call upon saints I never knew existed:
St. Frances de Sales, patron saint of authors, journalists and writers
St. Isodore of Seville, patron saint of computers and the internet!
St. Catharine of Bologna, patron saint of art
St. Monica, patron saint of married women and mothers
They've gotten me this far. Now it's up to you. I hope you find this helpful and will look to the saints when your prayers need a little extra focused attention.
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Comments
I wonder when they will assign a patron saint of hubbers and who we'll get? S/he will certainly be kept busy! Thanks for sharing this topic with me, Misty!
Hmmmm there's an idea. :)
I can only assume that you know the tortoise is commonly a very long lived critter.
Many years ago we were trying to sell a house. It was on the market for a couple of months and we weren't getting any bites. My wife heard from someone about a little ritual that would help. She was told to get a small statuette of a particular saint, I can't remember which, and bury it in an upright position in the front yard. Being an open minded sort, my wife did exactly that. I swear upon my mothers urn, the house sold the following day.
Life is funny.
CWB, I think that statuette you were speaking of was St. John. Last year there was this report on the news about people doing that to get their houses sold.
CWB, Sandra, thanks for commenting. This thought just occurred to me based on what you both wrote. What if... every person in America buried a statuette of St. John in their yard? Might that have a powerful effect on the current economic crisis??? Just a thought...:-) MM
Hmm...that is an interesting thought. Maybe you should convince everyone to try it and see what happens. :)
MM- If you are starting the convincing part let me know I have a friend in China who is good supplier of such images and together we can make quite a fortune...hehe
Btw "St. Isodore of Seville, patron saint of computers and the internet!" was it discovered or invented?..LOL
Right now I'm thinking about burying one of those statues in my yard so my property doesn't devalue any more than it already has in the 2 years since we bought the house! But I do like the idea of a global rite so to speak. CW -- we might be onto something here. Are we bold enough:-)??
As to the internet. I thought everyone knew Al Gore invented the Internet (and when did we stop capitalizing the "I" anyway???)
MM- I will be bold if MightyM is with me and almighty blesses me to be the next internet millionaire. I heard that joke about Al Gore and that's funny the guy had the nerve to say that. I guess we would have to find something to lay our claims too before our lives play out...hehe
Hehe -- that is such a fun signature, CW. I was just over reading on wherever it was (I think CR's frivolous lawsuits hub) and saw you'd been there. CR as majestic lion, you as elegant swan. I would so love to play this little "what animal are we all" game. Alas, I have to go out for a couple of hours, so if anyone's still one and up for some chatting later.... Peace! MM
Looking forward to see you later. I feel you are the cute koala bear whom everybody wants to hug.
Koala bears are adorable! I'm the MAMA bear tho, so I do the hugging!
I know your earlier avatar picture was welcoming everybody to be hugged(can I still call you mama koala bear then)...hehe
Yes, that MM avatar will reappear after the holidays. I don't have a plethora of Christmas-related pics so I chose this one from our trip to Utah last year. Those are buffalo by the fence! But please don't be getting any ideas, now CW. I do NOT want to be a buffalo:-).
You are a nice fellow not a buffalo :-)
Btw when we went to Yellowstone National Park in the summer this year we saw lots of Bisons their.
This is a great hub mighty mom - my sister and I when we are looking for a car park always pray to St Anthony becasue we say that he is the patron saint of lost car parks.... invariably we have joy in finding car parks. Now if my mother is in the car she likes St. Jude to be included. BTW My husband has often performed the blessing of the animals - and the funny thing is there are so many different animals and it is rare for them to fight amongst themselves....
& for CW I am Catholic married to an Anglican Minister... so as you can imagine we have differing ideas on some subjects & there are some discussions in our house - but it's all good...
Re. animal likenesses I think of MM as a lionness (koalas look cute but they do have claws and are not always reliable) and you CW as a Gazelle...
Ajcor- I know lionness are fiercely protective mothers (Ok instead of Koala would drop bears be more reliable)..hehe
I like gazelle (I wish I was as quick as them on my feet)
You ajcor should be a Kangaroo hoping on to different hubs and entertaining all of us....LOL
Hi ladies, So interesting the tidbits we learn about each other in these hubs and comments... Gazelle. I like that, too. Graceful and quick moving. Although swan is also graceful and loyal. Hmm... Ajcor, how do you feel about being a kangaroo? I love kangaroos but I'm betting that people who live down under might feel differently about them... true? And what's it like being a Catholic married to an Anglican Minister? Do you still go to your own church? Or do you alternate? I'm Catholic also and my hubby is Lutheran. But he loves to come to Catholic mass.
I am going to the movies with a gal pal tonight (she is coming to "kidnap me"). Have you heard of the film Rachel Getting Married? I will report on it, maybe even do a hub review:-). See you all later, dear wonderful friends. MM
Hi Mighty Mom - It was a nice analogy by CW but I am not that struck on being given the totem name of kangaroo - they can be a problem to many people and they are very smart in the water particularly like to drown dogs. (& I am a big dog fan!) They are a beautiful and unusual animal but when they get thirsty and start getting onto golf courses, & roads etc not too good a look. We live out in the country and on our way to the city often see them dead as roadkill "Death by Truck" by the side of the road - it is very sad but they have multiplied and are hungry and thirsty so they come down to find the necessities of life; but mind you if they actually do turn right & run into your car it is an expensive effort to then get the car repaired!!
I too love swans but I think I am too short to be a swan - maybe one day when i am about 100 yrs old I could become a swan...still waiting for the moment.... re. the church attendance I usually go with John to the Anglican church but I still love to go to the Catholic and do so a couple of times a year.. some of my favourite memories revolve around various festivals i.e. St.Patrick's Day but I think will hub on that on the 17th March....
Thanks for your Kangaroo analogy CW - I do like the hopping around entertaining bit ......
I haven't heard of "Rachel Getting Married" - look forward to hearing about the film... cheers
Wow! This Hub is really hopping after two months!
I know, hunh! Hubs can be funny that way. A flurry of activity when they first get published. Then sit for awhile until rediscovered and a new thread of comments revives them. I think maybe the sudden interest in saints may be linked to our current economic conditions:-).
Ajcor, I had a feeling there must be a downside to kangaroos. Like deer -- they are pretty and people think they are so cute. Except when they invade your garden:-). We'll have to come up with a new animal for you. Since you love dogs, how about if you are the cute little dog that you use for your avatar? That is certainly how I think of you (esp. since you have now said you are not tall enough to be a swan:-). MM
OK MM I can be Harriett my bossy smart little dog - btw it's the long neck thing of the swan I can't compete with at 5ft 1 1/2 in. - the neck is definitely not long... hope you are feeling a bit better now - it is so hard losing someone near and dear... cheers
Hey ajcor, smart little dog, yes. I don't think of you as bossy, ever! But I don't doubt your dog Harriett is:-). Yes, I'm feeling pretty good... TODAY. Every day is a bit different. But so far, I'm handling it pretty well. It was time, you know? Thanks, tho. See you later, MM
MM I was just looking through some hubs and wondered if you saw this - http://hubpages.com/hub/Hearty-Winter-Puddings
don't post here - off topic but for your interest...bread & butter pudding - cheers
Saint Theresa the Little Flower is also very powerful along with Saint Expedite when you want something answered fast. And my favorite the prayer to the Thirteen Blessed Souls
Hello Grace, Saint Expedite -- that is a new one to me! I know the word expedite. Did not know it came from a saint's name! Thirteen Blessed Souls is also new to me. I will have to look that up. Thank you!
A StumbleUpon thumbs up for you! Great hub! A Catholic catechist and apologist, I too had to look up the 13 Blessed Souls. Here in the Midwest, it is common for rural priests to actually visit the farms of parishoners on the feast of St. Francis to bless the livestock.
Hello Specificity! It is good to see you again. You have one of the absolutely most adorable avatars on HP! Thanks for the read and the thumbs up.
Love the idea of blessing livestock. Coming from the East Coast I am familiar with blessing of the (fishing) fleets. Same idea!
I loved your hub Mighty Mom and thankyou for your research and hard work in discovering even new saints you never knew. Bless You.
Hello divinemercylover1,
I appreciate your stopping by to visit. This was a fun hub to research. Took me back to my very Catholic girlhood and made me realize how important saints are to all aspects of our lives!!! Bless you, too. MM
I would like to thank St. Expedite for heling us. My husband had been out of work since Dec. 08 & he just got a job. He will be making LOTS less than he was but IT'S A JOB. We are so thankful to him for it.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. St. Expedite for interceeding for us.
Norma,
Congratulations! I am so happy for your husband.
That's wonderful news. You must both be relieved.
A foot in the door is a start. Fingers x'd that things pick up and this job leads to more money for him. I can really relate to this situation.
St. Expedite -- One of the greats! MM
Perhaps if Catholics spent more time praying to GOD The Father and not men and women......they would find themselves closer to HIM.
Hellow quietnessandtrust. Are you saying Cathollics are not close to God because we pray to saints (and presumably to Jesus, The Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit)? Well, I'll be sure to pass your suggestions along to the Pope. Thanks for visiting.
Please cite where it is written in the scriptures to pray to people.
Messiah was asked by His students how to pray and He said.
"Our Father who is in heaven, Holy is Your Name...."
That is the One we are to pray to and not another as per Messiah.
Praying to The Father, in the Name of Messiah Jesus, by The Holy Spirit.
No One is greater than The Father!!! So waste no vain words praying to anyone else. Rather than consult the pope, try speaking to God.
Quietnessandtrust -- How do you feel about psalms? Are they ok?
One of my favorite prayers is Hail Mary. And the St. Francis Prayer (also known as the 11th Step Prayer of AA).
K
I'm not arguing that God is not #1 in the hierarchy (or the trilogy as the case may be). Just that the particular brand of Christianity that I was taught -- which happens to be the largest in the world -- allows for Jesus' mother and saints in our prayers. And I kinda like that! Mm
A lot of religions "allow" people to do all kinds of things NOT found in the scripture, that is why it is called "religion" and NOT the TRUTH.
GOD is NOT going to ask us if we followed a religion, HE is going to ask us did you follow ME and what I said? Not the pope!
We agree. God is going to judge us based on what kind of life we live. According to his 10 Commandments.
Great Hub Mom. As a Boston Irish Catholic, I was brought up praying through the saints not to them. The St. Anthony relationship in my family was strong and the prayer was: "St. Anthony of lost and found please bring (item) around." Seems the prayers have to rhyme. While camping one time I watch my mother pray that prayer with a friend who had lost the diamond out of her engagement ring. It was a small stone and after about half an hour of searching the campsite mother prayed to St. Anthony and bent down and picked up the diamond out of the fireplace full of sand and ashes.
OT Thanks for the encouragement.
St.Anthony and St. Jude were faves in my house, too! Boston Irish Catholic, eh? You are making me nostalgic for my Boston days. Although my family was of the New York Irish Catholic variety -- slightly different:-).
I'm glad to have met you, BD. Looking forward to getting to know you better,sir. MM
I love saints of all persuasions! Mother Theresa is my idea of saint even though she is not canonized! She is one of my heroes. I happen to be fond of a number of Indian saints as well - especially the women! One can never have too many saints in one's life. Kartika
mistyhorizon2003 says:
14 months ago
Very good Mighty Mom, and different enough take on it to my hub that they are both unique. :),