Patron Saints

[Faith1960]

When one prays to a saint or chooses a patron saint, do they have to fit into whatever is on the list of the saints’ patronages? For example, my mom’s patron saint was St. Therese of Lisieux. My mom was a gardener, which is one of St Therese’s patronages and she prayed to her all the time. I “adopted” my moms patron saint and pray to her occasionally but I just read the list of patronages St Therese supports and there is no category on there that’s particularly for me. I’m not ill, I don’t garden very much, I’m not an aviator, etc. Can St. Therese still be my patron saint, can I still pray to her about things not on the list or do I need to find another patron saint?

 

[thirddec]

i have to admit although understanding catholic theology on saints ; I still question the need. I can see Mary as an exception as there is clear biblical evidence of her intercession and her message hasn’t changed “do whatever he asks” and the last messages from the cross,but i wonder for the need to pray to other saints before praying directly to Jesus. And i fail to understand the need to label certain causes to certain saints. Surely St Peters powers of intercession on any matter would equal St Josephs and so on. I know im not answering your post but i hope maybe some of the answers may enlighten me also

 

[Faith1960]

Anyone else?

 

[LARSCOUT0311]

No, it is not necessary to choose a different patron saint. Sometimes there is an affinity for a certain saint that doesn’t pertain to occupation or even life…it’s just an affinity. You may feel closer to a St. Therese because of your mother and that is certainly enough because as you grew up with your mother you essentially grew up in the presence of St. Therese.

Usually a patron saint is chosen based on their former life and how it mirrors yours, based on occupation that you have chosen, the saint has certain qualities (or life path) that you would like to mimic or for simply no reason at all. It is my belief that you are chosen by your saint.

But, to answer your question thirddec you do not have to pray through saints or even choose one. It’s similar to asking a person to pray for us or our family member. You can pray directly to Jesus but also asking for intercession through others is also helpful…remember the parable about persistence? Your cause is taken up by those that are currently able to view the face of God.

 

[Faith1960]

No, it is not necessary to choose a different patron saint. Sometimes there is an affinity for a certain saint that doesn’t pertain to occupation or even life…it’s just an affinity. You may feel closer to a St. Therese because of your mother and that is certainly enough because as you grew up with your mother you essentially grew up in the presence of St. Therese.

Usually a patron saint is chosen based on their former life and how it mirrors yours, based on occupation that you have chosen, the saint has certain qualities (or life path) that you would like to mimic or for simply no reason at all. It is my belief that you are chosen by your saint.

But, to answer your question thirddec you do not have to pray through saints or even choose one. It’s similar to asking a person to pray for us or our family member. You can pray directly to Jesus but also asking for intercession through others is also helpful…remember the parable about persistence? Your cause is taken up by those that are currently able to view the face of God.

Thanks for your reply.