Patron Saint for Anxiety about the Future?

[salvemater]

I have a close friend who’s currently 16. He’s in the process of converting to Catholicism and will likely join an RCIA program soon.

For the past year or so, he’s been struggling with severe depression because he’s extremely anxious about his future. He struggles in school and his motor skills aren’t good enough for most vocational careers. Although he’s very passionate about music and politics (and very well educated about the latter), he doesn’t believe he can get a job in either of those fields. He’s admitted to me that he’s essentially afraid of becoming an adult, and he doesn’t know what to do.

I offered to find him a patron saint to help intercede on his behalf. He’s already praying to St. Dymphna because she’s the patron saint of depression, but I was hoping to find a patron saint for those who are troubled about their future or those who are struggling to discern their vocation. Does anybody have a saint in mind?

 

[reggieM]

I have a close friend who’s currently 16. He’s in the process of converting to Catholicism and will likely join an RCIA program soon.

For the past year or so, he’s been struggling with severe depression because he’s extremely anxious about his future. He struggles in school and his motor skills aren’t good enough for most vocational careers. Although he’s very passionate about music and politics (and very well educated about the latter), he doesn’t believe he can get a job in either of those fields. He’s admitted to me that he’s essentially afraid of becoming an adult, and he doesn’t know what to do.

I offered to find him a patron saint to help intercede on his behalf. He’s already praying to St. Dymphna because she’s the patron saint of depression, but I was hoping to find a patron saint for those who are troubled about their future or those who are struggling to discern their vocation. Does anybody have a saint in mind?

Your friend is wise to avoid music and politics. But the same passion can be directed into more fruitful vocational careers. Certainly, much of business today is political in the sense that we have to work with people and managers and understand their interests.
St. Joseph is very powerful for career and job issues.
St. Jude is unstoppable in his care for us - where the situation seems hopeless and there is anxiety and fear.
Adoration of the Holy Eucharist. Quiet the mind, listen to Our Lord. Work on getting rid of sinful attachments, living chastely – He has a very good plan for each one of us! And He will definitely open up the road for us to walk on.
Of course, Our Lady through the rosary can never be forgotten in this.
Congratulations to this young man on his journey of faith also.
Praying for him now …

 

[Bonnie]

Not a saint, but the AA slogan “One day at a time” has been helpful to me in my worries about the future.

I’m with your friend - I don’t want to grow up, either, and I’m 64!

 

[po18guy]

Sounds like a clinical examination and diagnosis would be a good start. Anxiety is a medical condition and responds well to treatment, as well as counseling in some cases. As to a patron, Saint Padre Pio is quoted as having said:

“You say you are anxious about the future, but don’t you know that the Lord is with you always and that our enemy has no power over one who has resolved to belong entirely to Jesus?” (3/29/1914)

He also said

“Pray, hope and do not worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful.”

 

[Nelka]

St. Philomena.
St. Dymphna.