Choosing a Patron Saint

[Young_Thinker]

Hello everyone. Easter is fast approaching, and I am anxious to be formally received into the Church (I am going to be given 3 sacraments in one day!). However, I am still a little indecisive about selecting a saint for confirmation. Maybe I am overthinking it. I have considered many different individuals- biblical figures (like Moses), philosophers or theologians, Popes, visionaries, etc. I may be overthinking this. For instance, I do not know if choose a theologian (e.g. Aquinas or Augustine) because I might disagree with him. I also do not know if I choose the Blessed Virgin since I talk to Her anyway. In addition, saints who were in positions of power, particularily in Middle Ages or Renaissance, may have had policies that many of us today might find a bit objectionable (such as brutality in dealing with heresy or witchcraft or hostility towards Jews). Others, such as St. Joseph, we know relatively little about. I know that saints were imperfect just like we are, but I wonder if we should seek out the wisest or most virtuous. I would appreciate any advice about this.

 

[Irishmom2]

Hello young thinker,

Welcome home!

Please take some time to get to know the saints better. Then you will be able to choose one that inspires you. Or you may choose one that relates to some interest of yours. They all have interesting stories. Try to choose one that has meaning to you!

 

[wild_thing]

This may sound strange- but how about letting a saint choose you? I would never have thought of St. Jude as my patron saint, but when I prayed, he came to me. Just a thought.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Hello young thinker,

Welcome home!

Please take some time to get to know the saints better. Then you will be able to choose one that inspires you. Or you may choose one that relates to some interest of yours. They all have interesting stories. Try to choose one that has meaning to you!

Thank you. The saints whom I am fond of usually have character-traits that I like, but there is often something else that is off-putting to me about them (again, I am probably thinking too hard).

 

[Young_Thinker]

This may sound strange- but how about letting a saint choose you? I would never have thought of St. Jude as my patron saint, but when I prayed, he came to me. Just a thought.

That is an excellent idea. Thanking for sharing it.

 

[drw72]

I have chosen Saint Thomas More as my Patron Saint because I feel he is the one that helped to lead me back to the Catholic Church.

I was watching the series “The Tudors” and became interested in the character of Thomas More in the show. I know it was a drama for HBO and I am sure there was plenty of “artistic license” taken with his character but he caught my attention none the less. So I decided to learn more about More.

Next I saw the movie “Man of All Seasons”. Of course I have always enjoyed those classic movies so I decided to watch this one. It was a good movie and increases my interest in More.

Of course just watching some TV shows and a movie might not seem like much but this all happened at a time in my life when I was searching for meaning and contemplating whether or not to return to Catholicism.

I had also recently taken a college course on political science. I have always enjoyed politics but this course gave me a whole new insight into what politics is and what it all means at a philosophical level.

I began reading some of the books the professor suggested such as Plato’s “Republic” and Aristotle’s “Politics” not to mention “The Prince” by Machiavelli. Then I came across a book called “Utopia” written by none other than Thomas More.

Everywhere I turned Thomas More would pop up. Not only was he statesman (politician) but I found out he was a defender of the church, even unto martyrdom and for that he had been made a Saint.

So after putting all of that together I made up my mind to return to the Catholic Church and chose Saint Thomas More as my Patron Saint.

I have, over the past few months, been attending Mass every week, been back to confession, received the Holy Eucharist, and reading two biographies of Saint Thomas More. I have also rejoined the Knights of Columbus. I have been taking my daughter to Mass with me and even my wife (a Lutheran) is considering converting to Catholicism.

 

[Young_Thinker]

I have chosen Saint Thomas More as my Patron Saint because I feel he is the one that helped to lead me back to the Catholic Church.

I was watching the series “The Tudors” and became interested in the character of Thomas More in the show. I know it was a drama for HBO and I am sure there was plenty of “artistic license” taken with his character but he caught my attention none the less. So I decided to learn more about More.

Next I saw the movie “Man of All Seasons”. Of course I have always enjoyed those classic movies so I decided to watch this one. It was a good movie and increases my interest in More.

Of course just watching some TV shows and a movie might not seem like much but this all happened at a time in my life when I was searching for meaning and contemplating whether or not to return to Catholicism.

I had also recently taken a college course on political science. I have always enjoyed politics but this course gave me a whole new insight into what politics is and what it all means at a philosophical level.

I began reading some of the books the professor suggested such as Plato’s “Republic” and Aristotle’s “Politics” not to mention “The Prince” by Machiavelli. Then I came across a book called “Utopia” written by none other than Thomas More.

Everywhere I turned Thomas More would pop up. Not only was he statesman (politician) but I found out he was a defender of the church, even unto martyrdom and for that he had been made a Saint.

So after putting all of that together I made up my mind to return to the Catholic Church and chose Saint Thomas More as my Patron Saint.

I have, over the past few months, been attending Mass every week, been back to confession, received the Holy Eucharist, and reading two biographies of Saint Thomas More. I have also rejoined the Knights of Columbus. I have been taking my daughter to Mass with me and even my wife (a Lutheran) is considering converting to Catholicism.

That is a wonderful story. I appreciate your sharing it.

 

[Irishmom2]

Thank you. The saints whom I am fond of usually have character-traits that I like, but there is often something else that is off-putting to me about them (again, I am probably thinking too hard).

Well yes, that is what is inspiring about them. Often they did have character flaws–because they were in fact human, just like all of us. They are an example to us of what we can aspire to. We can all be saints.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello everyone. Easter is fast approaching, and I am anxious to be formally received into the Church (I am going to be given 3 sacraments in one day!). However, I am still a little indecisive about selecting a saint for confirmation. Maybe I am overthinking it. I s.

my best advice is first investigate your birth name saint or saints.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Well yes, that is what is inspiring about them. Often they did have character flaws–because they were in fact human, just like all of us. They are an example to us of what we can aspire to. We can all be saints.

That is certainly a joyful conclusion.

 

[Young_Thinker]

my best advice is first investigate your birth name saint or saints.

All right.