Patron Saints
What is a patron saint?
Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life. These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, causes -- anything that is important to us. The earliest records show that people and churches were named after apostles and martyrs as early as the fourth century.
Recently, the popes have named patron saints but patrons can be chosen by other individuals or groups as well. Patron saints are often chosen today because an interest, talent, or event in their lives overlaps with the special area.
Angels can also be named as patron saints. A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God.
For example, Francis of Assisi loved nature and so he is patron of ecologists. Francis de Sales was a writer and so he is patron of journalists and writers. Clare of Assisi was named patron of television because one Christmas when she was too ill to leave her bed she saw and heard Christmas Mass -- even though it was taking place miles away.
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| Naples, Italy |
Andrew Avellino, Januarius |
| National Guard, Venezuelan |
Our Lady of Chiquinquira |
| Naval officers |
Francis of Paola |
| Navy, Argentinian |
Mary, The Madonna of Castaliazzo or Our Lady of Grace and of Crete |
| Navy, Bolivian |
Our Lady of Copacabana |
| Navy, Philippine |
Our Lady of the Rosary, 'La Naval' |
| Navy, Spanish |
Our Lady of Mount Carmel |
| Navy, Venezuelan |
Our Lady of Valle |
| Nearsightedness, short-sightedness |
Clarus, Abbot |
| Nebraska, USA |
Our Lady of the Presentation |
| Neighborhood watch |
Sebastian |
| Nervous diseases |
Vitus, Dymphna |
| Netherlands |
Willibrord |
| Neurological disorders |
Dymphna |
| Nevada, USA |
Our Lady of Las Vegas |
| New Caledonia |
Mary, on feast of her Assumption |
| New Hampshire, USA |
Our Lady of Perpetual Help |
| New Jersey, USA |
Our Lady of Fatima |
| New Mexico, USA |
Our Lady of Guadalupe |
| New York, USA |
Our Lady Help of Christians |
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| New Zealand |
Our Lady Help of Christians |
| Nicaragua |
James the Greater |
| Nigeria |
Mary, Queen of Nigeria, Patrick |
| Nocera, Italy |
Raynald of Nocera |
| Nonantola, Italy |
Anselm of Nonantola |
| North Africa |
Cyprian of Carthage |
| North Carolina, USA |
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary |
| North Dakota, USA |
Mary, Queen of Peace |
| Norway |
Olaf of Norway, Magnus of Orkney |
| Norwegian west coast |
Sunniva |
| Notaries |
Luke, Mark, Ivo of Kermartin |
| Numismatists |
Eligius (Eloi) |
| Nuremburg, Germany |
Sebaldus |
| Nurses |
Agatha, Camillus de Lellis, John of God |
| Nurses of mentally ill |
Dymphna |
| Nurses' associations |
Camillus de Lellis |
| Nurses, Italian |
Catherine of Genoa, Catherine of Siena |
| Nurses, Peruvian |
Rose of Lima |
| Nursing mothers |
Basilissa, Giles |
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