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Patron Saints
This section contains the
history, facts and information about and including the life of the
Catholic Patron Saints, their death, their Feast Day and how
each of the Patron Saints are depicted, or
represented in Christian Art, images and paintings.
Definition of Patron Saints
- Meanings and Origins
What is the definition of a Patron Saint and why
were these people chosen to
become patrons of causes, professions and countries? Patron
Saints are those holy and virtuous men and women who are considered to be a defender of a
specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron
for virtually every cause, profession or special interest.
List of
Patron Saints and Patronage
Patron Saints of Countries
Patron Saints of Professions
Patron Saints of Causes
Female Patron Saints
Patron Saints A -
Z Names Index
Why were these people
chosen to become Patron Saints of causes, professions and
countries? What are the names of all of the Patron Saints? What
are the meanings and origins of each of the Patron Saints
and their specific causes? The A- Z of names of
the most popular Roman Catholic Patron Saints provides access to a page dedicated to
each of the Patron Saints about which you wish to obtain history,
facts and information. The history, facts and information
includes the life of the Saint, the death, their Feast Day
and how each of the Patron Saints are depicted, or
represented in Christian Art. Click on one of the following
names for the story of the Patron Saint that you would like
to know more about.
Patron Saints Feast Days
The origin of the Feast Days of
Patron Saints. Specially designated feast days are
associated with days of the year and these are referred to
as the Patron Saint's Feast Day. The feast days first arose
from the very early Christian custom of the annual
commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths, at
the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.
Definition of a Saint
The term 'Saint' is used
in Christian religions, including the Roman Catholic
religion, to describe a person who is perceived of being an
example of great holiness and virtue and considered capable
of interceding with God on behalf of a person who prayed to
them. A person who has died and has been declared a saint by
canonization. The Roman Catholic Church has an official
process for creating saints.
Martyrs and Patron Saints
There are two categories of
saints: martyrs and confessors. Many Patron Saints are
referred to as
Christian martyrs. A martyr is one who is murdered or put to death for
his Christian faith or convictions. Many Christian martyrs
and Patron Saints suffered cruel and torturous deaths like stoning,
crucifixion, and burning at the stake. The word 'martyr'
comes from the Greek word translated "witness." Martyrdom is
the result of religious persecution. The first known
Christian martyr was Saint Stephen as recorded in the Acts
6:8–8:3, who was stoned to death for his faith.
Popular Patron Saints
The most popular of the
Patron Saints are St. Saint Adrian, St. Andrew, St. Anthony,
St. Augustine, St. Barnabas, St. Bartholomew, St. Benedict,
St. Bernard, St. Bonaventura, St. Boniface, St. Bridget, St.
Catherine, St. Cecilia, St. Christina, St. Christopher, St.
Clare, St. David, St. Denis, St. Elmo, St. Francis of
Assisi, St. George, St. Gregory, St. Ignatius Loyola, St.
James, St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, St.
Lucy, St. Luke, St. Margaret, St. Mark, St. Martin, St. Mary
Magdalen, St. Matthew, St. Michael the Archangel, St.
Nicholas, St. Patrick, St. Paul, St. Peter, St. Philip, St.
Roche, St. Stephen, St. Theresa, St. Thomas, St. Thomas
Aquinas, St. Ursula, St. Vincent and St. Vitus.
Prayers of Patron Saints
Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking
a Patron Saint for intercession on their behalf.
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