who is the patron saint of homework

10 Saints Every Student Needs For Going Back to School

As the new academic year begins, I invite you to reflect on a few saints that can help enhance your educational experience and save you a lot of stress.

The new school year is quickly approaching, and for some, it has already begun. With every new academic year, there is always great anticipation. Students are eager to see old friends and share their memories of summer, and teachers are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to teach again.

But with all of this excitement, the challenges that come with school loom ahead. Homework, grading, and busy schedules are all imminently close.

Luckily for us, God provides us with heavenly friends to help us through these academic challenges: the saints!

The saints are one of God’s great gifts to humanity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says the saints "contemplate God, praise him, and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were 'put in charge of many things.' Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.”

We should constantly ask the saints for guidance and prayers because their prayers are perfect. As members of God’s Heavenly Kingdom, the saints are united to God and His will. Because of this, we should rely on their intercession in every aspect of our lives, including school. The witness of the saints can help us to deal with the struggles we face in academics, and their prayers can strengthen and encourage us during the difficult times of the year.

1) Saint Thomas Aquinas

Anyone associated with education, whether student or faculty, should know Saint Thomas Aquinas. He is arguably the most brilliant mind ever produced by the Church. Over the course of his life, Aquinas composed numerous works, most notably his Summa Theologica . Throughout all of his work, Aquinas demonstrates his desire to know the truth in all things.

The pursuit of truth is the ultimate goal of education. Learning the truth about the world and our human nature can help lead us to the One who is Truth itself, Jesus Christ. Aquinas helps us to center our study on the Truth, Who is Jesus, in every field of academics. Whether you are teaching a new lesson or studying a new subject, it is always wise to seek Saint Thomas’ intercession .

For additional information on the Angelic Doctor check out G.K. Chesterton’s book Saint Thomas Aquinas .

2) Saint John Berchmans

One of the great evils that pervades schools is gossip.

This is not something unique, but it is a challenge facing both students and faculty alike. Saint John Berchmans serves as an anti-gossip saint. Berchmans was a great student, but his most notable quality was his ability to say something nice about everyone. If Berchmans ever witnessed a fellow student getting reprimanded for an indiscretion, he promptly said something positive about him. This charitable practice served as a means of quelling any negative talk about his fellow students.

Gossip is harmful because it defaces the character of an individual. Every type of gossip starts with some kind of negative statement. Berchmans provides us with an antidote to this dreadful vice. He reminds us to have kind words for everyone, especially those who are troublemakers or more difficult to love.

3) Saint Joseph of Cupertino

Tests are one of the unfortunate realities of school. However, test-taking might be slightly less stressful if you get to know Saint Joseph of Cupertino. Joseph was poorly educated as a youth and he continued to struggle academically as he pursued a religious vocation with the Franciscans. Although he was not a scholar, Joseph tirelessly applied himself to his studies.

Yet his tremendous effort still bore little fruit. He continued to struggle academically, but he knew that God would provide if He wanted him to be a priest. When faced with his final examination that would determine if he was fit for priesthood, he asked the Lord to let him only be asked the questions for which he knew the answers. At this point, Joseph had only memorized one passage from the Gospel of Luke. The following day he was examined. He was only asked one question, and it was about the passage he had memorized from the Gospel of Luke. Joseph passed his exam and was ordained a priest.

It is no surprise that Saint Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of test takers. He’s a great saint to call upon throughout your academic career, especially when take tests in school. The next time you face an exam, try praying one of these prayers:

First Prayer

O Great Saint Joseph of Cupertino, who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favor in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return, I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

Through Christ our Lord.

Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.

Second Prayer

O Saint Joseph of Cupertino, who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination) examination.

In return, I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

O Saint Joseph of Cupertino, pray for me O Holy Ghost, enlighten me. Our Lady of Good Studies, pray for me. Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.

4-10) The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

I first ran across these seven saints when I was preparing for a road trip with some college friends to the Midwest. One night when we discussed our travel plans, I spotted a book on the saints resting on a nearby table. I picked up the book and randomly opened to the page about the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order. What caught my eye was that they were deemed the patron saints of “planning fun things with friends.” They naturally became our patrons for our road trip.

The Servite Order was founded by these seven holy men after they received a vision of Mary, the Mother of God on the feast of the Assumption. In order to discern the meaning of this vision, the seven men dedicated themselves to prayer. During their time of prayer, they received another vision of Mary in which she revealed her desire for them to found the Order of Servites. The men joyfully followed the promptings of Mary and established the Servite Order.

Planning is an essential element that pervades every school year. Teachers and students spend generous amounts of time planning events, projects, and other activities. All of these can be moments of grace and sanctification if we are open to the will of God. Through their holy witness, the Seven Holy Founders show us that we can sanctify all of our daily activities, even those that require us to participate in groups.

As the new school year begins, I hope you will ask these saints for their intercession. Whether you need assistance with academics, a friend, or a classmate, these saints can help you in your time of need. Do not be afraid to call upon them frequently as you begin this new school year.

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Saints for Studying

While some people talk about the end of the academic year as “winding down,” for me it is more like accelerating, as the papers and exams pile up, caffeine intake increases, and sleep is a luxury that I can barely afford. Perhaps this is why so many saints have a direct connection to education—to help us during this difficult time each semester and throughout the year. Here are some of my favorites who may be of assistance to help all of us students through this time of intense study.

My patron, St. Nicholas of Myra, is at the top of the list. He was the patron of sailors and travelers. Most of his relics were moved from Asia Minor to Bari in 1087, and a portion to Venice during the First Crusade. His was also the time when universities were just beginning, so the young men traveling to university towns invoked the intercession of St. Nicholas for protection on the journey and later for their studies. By the thirteenth century, he was the patron of the University of Paris, one of the earliest and premier universities in Europe.

St. Albert the Great was a distinguished professor, bishop, and scholar who founded the oldest university in modern-day Germany in Cologne and wrote extensively on philosophy, theology, and the natural sciences. He was the teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas.

In 1265, St. Thomas was assigned to Rome to organize a school of Dominicans. This school was for the best Dominican students in the Roman Province (a few of whom may subsequently have been sent to study in Paris or Bologna).To instruct them more effectively, St. Thomas adapted his method for these beginners, and the result was the Summa Theologiae . It is a comprehensive work but in a simplified format for that time. The purpose was to instruct future preachers and confessors, not primarily to engage in academic debate.

St. Charles Borromeo was appointed Archbishop of Milan in the mid-sixteenth century, about fifty years after the Reformation. One of his great reforms was to educate the clergy by establishing colleges and seminaries. He cared for the laity as well, laying the groundwork for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) within the diocese. At the end of the sixteenth century, St. Joseph Calasanz (Calasanctius) joined the CCD in Spain and opened those schools for free to the children of the poor.

We also have many great patrons among the American saints and blesseds, over half of whom were involved in education. Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton is considered the founder of the Catholic school system in the United States based on her work in Maryland, which included opening the first free Catholic school in the country. In the diocese of Philadelphia, St. John Neumann built the Catholic school network from two schools to over 100. For St. Katharine Drexel, Mother Théodore Guérin, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, building schools and educating the youth were an essential part of their missionary work.

As exams conclude most classes, it is fitting that we give the place of honor to St. Joseph of Cupertino, patron of exams (especially the most difficult ones). St. Joseph was a simple and holy man of prayer who really struggled with studies. He passed the exams for ordination because at the examination, through the grace of God, he was asked the one question that he knew!

All you holy men and women of God, teachers of the faithful, pray for us.

St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Dominicana and is republished here with kind permission.

By Br. Nicholas Schneider, O.P.

Br. Nicholas Schneider, O.P. was born and raised in Vermont. He spent his final semester of high school studying in Russia, and went on to earn a BA in History and Russian at Youngstown State University (OH) and an MA in Russian History at Georgetown University. He served as Director/Assistant Dean for Admissions at Georgetown University School of Medicine for five years prior to entering the Dominicans.

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Every Student Should Know These Patron Saints

It’s that time of the year again. School supplies have been on sale for the past month. You’re now getting adjusted to your new daily routine. If you’re a college student, you begin to rent and/or purchase your textbooks for the upcoming semester. You look over the syllabus provided in your classes and begin your plan of attack. If you’re a parent, you begin to make sure your child has all the materials needed to begin the school year right.

For some people, this time of the year is their favorite. For others, the dread of returning to school is real. But, not to worry! There are a number of saints who’ve got your back and will help you survive the next academic year. Here are 7 saints all students should become acquainted with.

If you’re struggling to get through the semester or academic year

Bl. Pier Giorgio struggled with school throughout his life. He had to repeat an entire school year and had to really work at passing his courses. Since he knew his academic weaknesses, he made sure that he put as much effort into his studies as he could, even forgoing social outings with his friends. He died at the young age of 24, two exams short of his degree. If you find yourself struggling with your classes, Bl. Pier Giorgio is the guy for you!

If you dislike school and/or have to deal with bullies… St. Therese of Lisieux

If you have major test anxiety… St. Joseph of Cupertino

If writing isn’t your strong suit and you have a major essay or research paper due… St. Francis de Sales

If you’re on a deadline and/or doing homework and there’s a computer, printer, or internet glitch… St. Isidore of Seville

If “Procrastination” is your middle name… St. Expeditus

If you’re majoring in [insert major]… the patron saint for that career/field

Whatever obstacle you face this new academic year, remember that prayer will help you get through anything. Even if you choose not to invoke any of the saints mentioned above and opt to go straight to the Holy Spirit or Our Blessed Mother, know that “ask and ye shall receive.” Good luck with your studies!

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Melissa Guerrero

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5 Patron Saints Every Student Needs To Know About!

by Ruth Kennedy Faith & Life , Family , Prayer , Saints , Spiritual Warfare

Ever need help with your studies?

For many students, there are times when motivation is hard and studying is full of stress . The Church has recognized certain people as saints, stating with confidence that they are in Heaven and able to intercede on our behalf before God. And there are many saints who are perfect for students to turn to.

Today we share this great infographic from HolyArt.com , introducing you to five Patron Saints of students, in order that you can get to know them and ask for their help and intercession.

If you’re a student, we hope that this will help you, and if you’re not, don’t forget to share with any stressed-out students you may know!

5 Patron Saints For Students

Infographic kindly provided by Carlo from HolyArt.com

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12 saints to guide students through the school year

The blessed virgin mary, blessed pier giorgio frassati, st. thomas aquinas, blessed carlo acutis and st. isidore of seville, st. thérèse of lisieux, st. rita of cascia and st. teresa of ávila, sts. james, alexander, and patrick healy.

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10 patron saints every catholic college student should know, sometimes we need a little extra help..

Most of us college students find ourselves drowning in all our responsibilities. Between class, studying, work, stressing over our less than stable financial situations and trying to manage a social life while getting enough sleep at night, we have a lot on our plate. The stress of college can be overwhelming and we can often use an extra hand, spiritually. It’s easy enough to remember to call on our earthly family (friends, roommates, family, etc.) for prayer, but it can be easy to forget to ask the same from Christians in heaven who have already had their sanctification completed.

Below is a list of saints that every Catholic college student should keep handy. They are ready to flex their spiritual muscles for you and come to your aid!

1. Technology, Computers, and the Internet - St. Isidore of Seville

Yes, you’re reading this right; there is, in fact, a patron saint of technology, computers and the Internet. Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!

2. Lost Things - St. Anthony of Padua

"Dear St. Anthony, come around! Something's lost and can't be found!" I am not kidding when I say I call on St. Anthony at least once a day. He hasn’t failed me yet! (Fun fact: I also call on him when I start to lose my mind...you think I'm joking but seriously when you feel like you're losing it, a prayer to St. Anthony could help you out)

3. Writing - St. Francis de Sales

Struggling with writing your paper? Got a bad case of writer’s block? Brainstorming for your next written presentation? St. Francis has your back.

4. Finances and the Home - St. Joseph

Because every college student needs a little help with their finances and family relationships.

5. Procrastination - St. Expeditus

The irony of St. Expeditus’ name and his designation as the patron saint against procrastination is almost too much to handle but wow I wish I knew about him while I was struggling through the last few weeks of my 2015 fall semester.

6. Scholars - St. Thomas Aquinas

A Student’s Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas:

"Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen."

7. Lost Causes - St. Philomena

For when everything (and I mean everything) is falling apart.

8. Test Taking - St. Joseph of Cupertino

Because if you are anything like me, you know that test taking is actually the worst thing ever – and you’ll take all help that you can get (also, apparently St. Joseph of Cupertino could levitate while praying so that's kind of cool).

9. "Her Little Way" – St. Therese of Lisieux

Yes, I know St. Therese is actually the patron saint of missionary work but her "little way" is so relevant to every human person that I decided to include it anyways. St. Therese is known for her "little way" of loving people: “I applied myself above all to practice quite hidden little acts of virtue; thus I liked to fold the mantles forgotten by the Sisters , and sought a thousand opportunities of rendering them service (Story of A Soul, Chapter VII).” Translation for the everyday college student: Little acts of love are just as meaningful as big ones. We don’t have the time to do great missionary work but we do have the time to be nice to someone who irritates us, to listen to someone when they need to vent and to be kind to those who don’t necessarily deserve it. Simple? Yes. Easy? No.

10. For Anything and Everything Else (seriously) - The Blessed Virgin Mary

She is the Queen of all saints and the mother of Jesus; she knows exactly what we need.

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

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3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

Top Creators

1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society 2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook 3. Kristen Haddox , Penn State University 4. Jennifer Kustanovich , SUNY Stony Brook 5. Clare Regelbrugge , University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

St. Thomas Aquinas – Patron Saint of Students

St. thomas aquinas biography.

St. Thomas Aquinas was educated in the monastic schools of Italy, first at the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino and later at the University of Naples. He later joined the Dominican Order and studied at the University of Paris, where he became a master of theology. He then returned to Italy to teach at various universities, including the University of Rome and the University of Naples.

One of St. Thomas Aquinas’ most famous works is the “Summa Theologiae,” a comprehensive guide to Christian theology and philosophy. It is considered one of the most important works of medieval theology, and continues to be widely read and studied today. In it, Thomas explains the Catholic Faith, from the existence of God, to the nature of the human being, to the last things.

St. Thomas Aquinas also wrote extensively on other subjects, including ethics, politics, and natural science. He believed in the compatibility of faith and reason, and argued that reason and observation could be used to understand and explain the natural world. He also believed that the truths of faith and reason could not contradict one another, but rather that reason could be used to help understand and explain faith.

One of his famous quotes is that “grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it.” He believed that God’s grace complements, rather than cancels out, our natural abilities and understanding. It is the foundation of his philosophy of integration of faith and reason.

St. Thomas Aquinas passed away on March 7th, 1274 in the town of Fossanova. He was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1323 and is considered a Doctor of the Church, one of the 33 saints who are honored by the Church as having made a significant contribution to the development of doctrine. His feast day is celebrated on January 28th.

His influence in the Catholic Church is immense, his works were highly respected in his own time, and continue to be studied and revered by theologians and philosophers to this day. He is considered the greatest Scholastic and his contributions to Catholic theology were decisive, even to the point of being considered the Church’s own theologian.

St. Thomas Aquinas is remembered as one of the most important figures of the medieval period, and his legacy continues to be celebrated in the Catholic Church, as well as in philosophy and theology more broadly. He continues to be an inspiration to generations of scholars, theologians and people of faith.

The Life of St. Thomas Aquinas

The 13th century was a time of extraordinary intellectual activity, which was not without its dangers. In their enthusiasm for learning, students flocked by thousands to the great Universities, which, were often schools of infidelity as of faith. The great philosophers of the time taught primarily based on the writings of Aristotle, and as Lacordaire said, “… unfortunately, Aristotle and the Gospel did not always agree”.

The Life of Saint Thomas Aquinas

It was amidst the confusion of these new opinions that St. Thomas Aquinas was born in the fortress of Rocca Secca, about the year 1225. It was to the little town of Aquino nearby that he owed his surname Aquinas. His father, the Count, was a nephew of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa; on his mother’s side he was descended from the Norman barons who had conquered Sicily two centuries before. The Aquinas family could claim relationship with St. Gregory the Great , and was closely related to St. Louis of France and St. Ferdinand of Castile.

The future vocation and sanctity of the little Thomas had been predicted to his mother, the Countess Theodora, by a holy hermit named Bonus. The first words spoken by baby Thomas were “Ave Maria”. When only five years old, he began school under the Monks of the celebrated Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino. Thomas made such progress in his studies that his parents sent him, when ten years old under the care of a tutor to the newly founded University of Naples. Here, his extraordinary talents became more and more manifest, whilst at the same time he made rapid strides in the studies of the lives of the Saints.

Suffering for Christ

He was continually held up as a model to his fellow students in a way most painful to his humility. The rarest gifts of intellect were combined in him with the tenderest piety. His leisure hours were devoted to prayer and good works. At a young age St. Thomas Aquinas adapted the Christian faith much to the horror of his family who strove in every way possible to undermine their son’s resolution. He was even imprisoned for more than a year in one of the towers of the Castle, where he had to suffer cold, hunger, and every sort of deprivation.

Thomas’ constancy was put to a yet more terrible trial. His two young brothers brought an evil woman into his chamber, but with a flaming brand snatched from the hearth the Saint indignantly drove her from his presence. With the same brand he then traced a cross upon the wall Casting himself on his knees before it, he besought God to grant him the gift of perpetual chastity. As he prayed, he fell into an ecstasy, during which two angels appeared to him. Girding him with a miraculous cord, they said: “”We are come from God to invest thee with the girdle of perpetual chastity. The Lord has heard thy prayer; and that which human frailty can never merit is insured to thee by the irrevocable gift of God””. The girdle was worn by the Saint until his death, and is still preserved at the Convent of Chieri in Piedmont.

It was only to his confessor, Brother Reginald, that he revealed this grace shortly before his death. Realizing that Thomas would not be overcome by persecution, some in his family helped him to escape, like St. Paul, by letting him down from the tower in a basket to the Friars, who, by appointment, were waiting below. They took Thomas to Naples, where he was immediately admitted to the University.

Joining St. Albert the Great

After years of studies, he became the disciple of St. Albert the Great. Astonished at the genius he displayed, St. Albert put the learning of his saintly disciple to a public test, and exclaimed before the assembled students: “We call Brother Thomas the dumb ox’; but I tell you he will one day make his bellowing heard to the uttermost parts of the earth”. In 1245 St. Albert took Brother Thomas as his companion to the General Chapter in Paris. While there he met a young Franciscan, St. Bonaventure, who was studying in that city. A bond of closest friendship sprang up between them.

After their three years of study, in 1248 both were raised to the degree of Bachelor of Theology. In November of that year Thomas returned to Cologne with St. Albert, where he taught philosophy and theology for four years. Soon after his return, the Saint was raised to the priesthood. His success as a lecturer and scholar was so great that the vast halls of the Convent of St. James were unable to accommodate the audience which desired to listen to his wisdom. He earned his Doctor’s degree in 1257.

A Doctor of the Church

The Church has always venerated his numerous writings as a record of sacred doctrine. In naming him the Angelic Doctor, the Church proclaimed that his science is more divine than human. On December 6, 1273, while saying Mass in his convent chapel in Naples he received a revelation that the end of his labors was near. Summoned by the Pope to attend the General Council convened at Lyons for the reunion of the Greek and Latin Churches, St. Thomas, though ill, accompanied by Brother Reginald and some other Friars, started on January 28, 1274, for Lyons.

On the way his condition grew worse. Not able to reach a Dominican convent, he was carried to the Cistercian Abbey of Fossa Nuova. Every attention was rendered him. His own brethren were in consolable at their approaching loss. One of them asked the Saint what was the best way of living without offending God. He replied: “”Be certain that he who walks in the presence of God and is always ready to give Him an account of his actions, will never be separated from Him by sin””. These were said to be his last words. Shortly after, St. Thomas Aquinas died on March 7 1274, due to a head injury.

St. Thomas was canonized by Pope John XXI Avignon in 1323. In 1567, St. Pius V conferred on St. Thomas Aquinas the title of Doctor of the Church; whilst Pope Leo XIII by a Brief of August 4, 1880, instituted him Patron of all Catholic Universities, Academies, Colleges and Schools. Today the Catholic Church regards St. Thomas Aquinas as the patron saint of students.

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Prayers to St. Thomas Aquinas

Prayer written by st. thomas aquinas for students.

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Mass Written by St. Thomas Aquinas

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy, You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good. May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You. And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you, with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to your saints. grant this through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

O great St. Thomas Aquinas, angel of the schools, who has been called the “Pearl of the Church,” the “”Angel of the Schools,” the “Hammer of Heretics,” and the “Ark of the Covenant of the Divine Sun,” I come to you today seeking your intercession and assistance.

You were a brilliant teacher, philosopher and theologian, renowned for your wisdom and holiness. Your writings continue to inspire and guide the Church in our quest for truth and knowledge of God.

St. Thomas, I pray that through your intercession I may grow in wisdom, understanding and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to deepen my faith and love for Him, so that I may live my life for His glory and the good of others.

Grant me the grace to think and reason clearly, and to express myself in a manner that is honest and true. May your teachings continue to enlighten and guide me in my life, so that I may always strive to grow closer to God and live in His love.

St. Thomas, I ask that you pray for me and all those who seek to deepen their knowledge and love of God. Help us to draw ever closer to Him, and to live our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to His Name. Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas: Patron Saint of Catholic Schools and Theologians

St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the most renowned theologians and philosophers in the Catholic Church. He was born in Italy in the 13th century and is known for his extensive writings and teachings on the intersection of faith and reason.

Due to his significant contributions to the Catholic Church, St. Thomas Aquinas is recognized as the patron saint of Catholic schools and theologians. His writings, particularly his famous work “”Summa Theologica,”” continue to be studied and referenced by scholars, theologians, and students of philosophy and theology.

In addition to his contributions to the field of theology, St. Thomas Aquinas is also remembered for his devotion to the Catholic Church and his commitment to using reason and logic to defend the faith. He believed that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding was essential to living a virtuous life and that reason and faith could work together to bring people closer to God.

For these reasons, St. Thomas Aquinas is venerated by the Catholic Church as the patron saint of Catholic schools and theologians. He continues to inspire those in the field of theology and religious studies to use their reason and intellect to better understand and defend the faith.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas

The feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas is celebrated on January 28th in the Catholic Church.

St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican friar and priest, as well as a philosopher and theologian. He is considered one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church, and is particularly known for his work on the Summa Theologiae, a comprehensive summary of Christian theology. He is also known for his emphasis on the use of reason in theology, and for his emphasis on the harmony between faith and reason. He died on March 7, 1274 and was canonized in 1323.

On the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, we celebrate the life and legacy of this great saint. As a philosopher and theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth, and to understanding the mysteries of God. He recognized the importance of reason in our relationship with God, and sought to use reason to deepen our understanding of the faith.

St. Thomas Aquinas’ emphasis on the harmony between faith and reason is particularly relevant in today’s world, where there is often a perception of a conflict between science and religion. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that faith and reason are not in opposition, but are rather two complementary ways of understanding the truth. This means that we don’t have to choose between faith and reason, but rather we should use both to deepen our understanding of God.

The teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas also remind us that we should not be afraid to ask questions and seek understanding. He encourages us to pursue knowledge and wisdom, and to use our reason to help us understand the mysteries of the faith. This is particularly important for those of us who are called to teach and lead others, as it helps us to be better equipped to share the faith with others.

In conclusion, let us be inspired by the example of St. Thomas Aquinas, to pursue truth and knowledge, to understand the harmony between faith and reason and to use reason in our relationship with God. May his intercession guide us to be the true servants of God, through the use of reason, wisdom and knowledge.

Discover biographies, prayers, and reflections for more than 400 Catholic Saints

Saints Similar to St. Thomas Aquinas

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Augustine and the Biography of St. Albert the Great . St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and St. Albert the Great are all prominent theologians and doctors of the Church, known for their significant contributions to Catholic theology. Next up: Biography of St. Thomas More

Also check out our handmade St. Thomas Aquinas Medal and St. Thomas Aquinas Rosary and St. Thomas Aquinas Rosary Bracelet .

With Finals Looming…Who Is the Patron Saint of Studying?

1) St. Thomas Aquinas — the official patron of scholars and a doctor of the church. His great work, the “ Summa Theologica ,” might just be something you’re studying in fact.

2) St. John Henry Newman was very active in the intellectual life and set up centers for discussion so as to merge Catholics with intellectual conversation at universities as it was often misconstrued that to be Catholic is to be anti-intellectual. Campus Ministry Centers across the United States often bear his name. Read “ The Idea of a University ” sometime.

3) An obvious one is St. Ignatius of Loyola who founded the Jesuits whose charism is education. Many Jesuit universities exist in the United States and elsewhere including Georgetown, Boston College, Fordham, and Loyola Marymount.

If you’re really desperate, you just might want to try St. Jude. He is the patron saint of hopeless cases and has been known to dig a few people out of a jam.

Originally published May 9, 2016.

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Patron saints of students and teachers

The start of school is nearly here, and for students, parents and teachers, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect and pray that the coming months will be fruitful and fun for everyone. The saints are always there to help us on our journey, so here are three saints for you to consider as the 2024-’25 school year dawns:

St. Catherine of Alexandria (c. 287-305)

She was put on a rotating spiked wheel; when it broke, she was beheaded. She is venerated as the Great Martyr St. Catherine in the Orthodox tradition and her voice was among those heard by St. Joan of Arc. Today, she is known as the namesake of a monastery at Mount Sinai that claims to be the oldest in the world. She is the patron saint of wheelwrights, and also a patron saint of teachers, jurists, philosophers, students and teachers.

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Feast day: Jan. 28

In keeping with the Dominican order’s charism for preaching, he strove to bring his own family to a sincere practice of the faith, and largely succeeded. For the rest of his brief life, the “dumb ox,” as he was dubbed, taught, preached and wrote, producing the monumental “Summa Theologica.” The 13th century theologian showed that the Catholic faith is in harmony with philosophy and all other branches of knowledge. His thinking became enormously influential in later centuries and he was named a Doctor of the Church in 1567. In 1965, the Second Vatican Council taught that seminarians should learn “under the guidance of St. Thomas,” in order to “illumine the mysteries of salvation as completely as possible.” He is also a patron saint of academics, chastity, colleges and universities, Catholic schools and theologians.

St. Peter of Alexandria (died 311)

Feast day: Nov. 26

When he eventually went into hiding, Alexandria experienced a schism, and when a new emperor renewed Christian persecutions, Peter was seized and summarily executed. He was the last Christian martyred in Alexandria by civil authorities. His instructions on how to receive “lapsed” Christians who had denied their faith back into the Church were adopted by the entire Eastern Church. Although his feast day in the Western tradition is no longer a part of the Roman Catholic Church’s universal calendar, he remains especially beloved among Catholic and Orthodox Christians of the Egyptian Coptic tradition. He is also a patron saint of Egypt.

— Catholic News Service and Catholic News Agency

Patron Saints: Lists of Catholic Patron Saints, Who They Are and Why They Matter

Stephen Spiewak

Stain glassed illustrations of female patron saints of Europe: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Catherine of Siena

Patron Saints: Table of Contents:

What are patron saints?
Patron saints of countries
Patron saints causes and devotions
Hallow and the saints
Common questions about patron saints

Saints hold a special place in the body of the Catholic Church and are especially prominent in its prayer life.

The USCCB describes saints as people in heaven “who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation.”

Reflecting on the connection between prayer and the communion of saints, Pope Francis said , “When we pray, we never do so alone: even if we do not think about it, we are immersed in a majestic river of invocations that precedes us and proceeds after us.”

Sometimes, people, churches, and organizations share a special connection to a saint. This refers to the concept of patronage, and a certain saint being known as “the patron saint of” a particular group.

What Are Patron Saints?

Patron saints are members of the communion of saints who certain groups look to for special intercession.

History and tradition often dictate patron saints, but individuals and groups also can choose a patron saint.

This commonly occurs during Confirmation, when those being confirmed (the “confirmandi”) choose a saint’s name as part of the process for this important sacrament.

Organizations often choose saints that align with their mission or those they feel a special connection to.

For example, Catholic University’s Institute for Transformation of Catholic Education (ITCE) chose patron saints connected to education.

It explains that it seeks “patronage and prayers of the great educator saints who have gone before us. ITCE looks in a special way to six patron saints who exemplify our guiding principles”:

St. Augustine of Hippo
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Elizabeth Ann Seon
St. Edith Stein
St. John Paul II

Hallow’s patron saint is St. Teresa of Avila .

Patron Saints of Countries

The early 20th-century work “ The Catholic Encyclopedia ” explains that the term “patron” may be applied to a church, a district, a country, or a corporation.

While church patrons are usually self-evident in their name, countries also have patron saints (sometimes more than one!) that might be less widely known–perhaps because they can shift over time.

Here are popular patron saints associated with different countries around the world:

Australia : St. Mary MacKillop
Brazil – Mary as Our Lady of Aparecida
China – St. Joseph
Colombia – Mary as Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá
England – St. George
India – St. Thomas (who died in India)
Ireland – St. Patrick
Mexico – Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe
Nigeria – St. Patrick
Norway – St. Olaf
Poland – Mary as Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland
Scotland – St. Andrew
Spain – St. James
United States – Mary of the Immaculate Conception

Smaller regions can have specific patron saints as well. St. Junipero Serra is the patron saint of the state of California. At the same time, St. Vibiana is considered the patron saint of Los Angeles and St. Francis of Assisi the patron saint of San Francisco.

List of Patron Saints and their Causes/Devotions

Groups of people united in specific causes also identify with patron saints, though they are usually not officially recognized by the Church in the same way that the Church recognizes the patronage of a country or church building.

Still, these saints are important to these groups and often play a crucial role in the faith life of their members.

Alcoholics – Venerable Matt Talbot (Not a saint but considered patron of those struggling with alcohol abuse)
Animals – St. Francis of Assisi
Children – St. Nicholas
Computer programmers – Bl. Carlo Acutis
Fertility and Pregnancy – St. Gianna
Healing – St. Raphael
Jobs – St. Cajetan (patron of job-seekers/unemployed)
Lost Causes – St. Jude (pray the St. Jude Novena )
Nurses – St. Camillus (patron of all those in healthcare)
Police Officer – St. Michael the Archangel
Poor – St. Vincent de Paul (known as “ charity’s saint ”)
Protection – St. Michael the Archangel (pray the St. Michael Chaplet )
Soldiers – St. Michael the Archangel
Students – St. Thomas Aquinas
Travelers – St. Christopher
Workers – St. Joseph the Worker

There can be patrons for even more specific causes and devotions. For example, while St. Raphael is considered the patron saint of healing, one might ask for the intercession of St. Bernardine of Siena, patron saint of respiratory illnesses , if dealing with a condition specific to the lungs.

Similarly, while St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of students, someone struggling to promptly complete homework assignments might look to St. Expeditus , patron saint of procrastinators.

Catholics never pray to saints. Rather, saints are venerated and Catholics ask for their intercession. Catholics ask saints to pray to God. Their example of boldly living their faith can inspire us and lead us closer to God.

All Saints Day recognizes all the holy men and women saints in heaven.

Hallow and the Saints

The Hallow app has an entire Daily Saint section dedicated to sharing the story of one saint each day, to inspire your own prayer life and journey toward holiness.

Our Saints in 7 Days Series dives deeper into the lives of prominent saints, exploring their journey to sainthood how it’s relevant to our own lives.

Learn about saints by downloading the Hallow app today.

Frequently Asked Questions about Patron Saints

There are many! Many saints are patrons of different places or groups. St. Mary and St. Joseph are among the most popular patron saints.

Adding up patron saints of continents, countries, states and cities, the list would easily approach one thousand different patron saints. Throw in patron saints of organizations and causes, and there are even more.

Because many patron saints of different causes are not official titles, there’s no official, comprehensive list of all saints and their patronages.

Patron saints are “assigned by a venerable tradition, or chosen by election as a special intercessor with God.”

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The traditional patronage of many saints could be extended to cover modern-day issues that students face. Here are five that we propose.

1. Patron saint of simplicity – St. Francis of Assisi With members of the millennial generation favoring minimalism and simplicity, over luxury and status, who better to emulate than St. Francis? The Italian friar and preacher’s life serves as a model of voluntary simplicity , clarity and love for those looking for (or defaulting to) a more frugal or sustainable way of life

2. Patron saint of the Internet – St. Isidore of Seville Not only is St. Isidore considered the patron saint of the Internet, this Spanish bishop was known for his prolific writing, including a dictionary, encyclopedia and historical writings. He can serve as a helpful intercessor when looking for credible sources of information on the Internet for assignments, work projects and other research

3. Patron saint of photographers – St. Veronica St. Veronica, who received an image of Jesus when she used her veil to wipe his face, is the patron saint of photographers. In today’s world of selfies, Vine, Instagram, Facebook and other media sharing tools, look to her for an appreciation of considering truth, beauty and modesty when it comes to sharing—as well as viewing—photos and videos online.

4.Patron saint of coffee shops – St. Drogo For those times when a caffeine-fueled all-nighter is warranted to prepare for a test, finish a project or otherwise meet an unforgiving deadline, consider asking for help from St. Drogo, known as a patron saint of coffee house employees. The Flemish nobleman was also reportedly able to bi-locate, which most of us feel could come in handy at times.

5. Patron saint of workers – St. Joseph Whether looking for a summer job while on break, work during college to help make ends meet, or seeking a profession once entering the real world, consider asking St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, for guidance during the discernment, job search and interview process.

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Patron saints around the house

Family life is full of challenges. Happily, heaven is full of patron saints ready to help. It’s just a matter of finding the right saint for the problem. So let’s start with every household’s most common trouble — lost objects. Dad can’t find his car keys? The kids can’t find their homework? Turn to St. Anthony — for 800 years he has helped the flummoxed, frustrated faithful locate things they thought were irretrievably lost.

The more phones, tablets, and laptops you have in the family, the more likely you are to experience computer trouble. To ward off spammers, hackers and computer viruses pray to St. Isidore of Seville . As a man of the sixth century, he never surfed the web, but he did compile a 20-volume encyclopedia of all existing knowledge. In 1999, a group of Catholic webmasters and computer technicians interpreted Isidore’s encyclopedia as the world’s first database and adopted him as the patron of the Internet and computers.

If a mouse is in the house, or sugar ants have taken over the kitchen, turn to St. Magnus of Fuessen . According to an old legend, this seventh-century Irish monk kept a little pet dragon he trained to gobble up bugs and rodents.

Every guy thinks he is a master barbecue chef. Most of us are not. If the family has gotten tired of dad charring beautiful cuts of meat beyond recognition, invoke the Roman deacon St. Lawrence , who was martyred by being roasted on a grill. Before he died he said to his executioners: “Turn me over. I’m done on this side.”

Housekeeping is not just tedious and labor intensive, it can seem pointless — within a few days everything will be dirty, dusty and untidy again. When drudgery gets to you, pray to St. Zita . She worked as a housekeeper for 48 years. On those days when she thought she couldn’t bear it, she would stop, take a breath and offer up a short prayer to remind herself that she would do this task for love of God.

If you’re the parent of a large (or busy) family, call on St. Matilda . Noted for her piety and charitable works, she was an empress of Germany who struggled to keep her family together amidst power struggles and royal squabbling. Defying her sons, she founded and built three convents and a monastery.

Children who have a test looming or a very difficult assignment to complete should pray to St. Jerome , patron saint of schoolchildren and test takers. In the fourth century, Jerome spent 30 years in solitude translating the Latin text of the Bible — his translation is still in use today!

If you’re thinking about selling your house (bury St. Joseph in your backyard) or desperate to ward off nightmares (pray to St. Raphael ), there is a patron saint ready to help. All you have to do is ask.

7 saints you can call on for help

It’s a frantic weekday morning. We’re racing around the house, trying to get the children out the door so they won’t be late for school. The bus will be pulling up any minute. Suddenly one of them yells, “Where’s my jacket?”

It’s not on the hook. It’s not in the coat closet. It’s not hanging on the back of one of the dining room chairs. It’s too chilly to send him to school in the T-shirt he’s wearing. We need to find his jacket—and we need to find it now.

So, we do the only thing we can do. We turn to St. Anthony.

“Tony, Tony, look around, something’s lost and can’t be found,” I say as we push the couch pillows aside, dig into the hamper, and run to the basement to see if his coat’s in the dryer.

In the midst of the chaos, my son unzips his backpack and—aha!—there is the missing jacket, shoved into the bag next to his binder.

He slips it on, grabs his backpack and trumpet, races out the door just as the bus is pulling up.

St. Anthony of Padua is used to hearing from my family whenever we have a lost item. Asking for his assistance as we search reminds us that it’s OK to call for help and that God cares even about a seventh-grader’s lost jacket. Which, of course, He does.

Our Friends and Intercessors in Heaven

Inviting the saints into our lives during the ordinary moments of our day is important to me as we try to raise our children in our faith. I want them to see saints as their friends—friends who happen to be in heaven.

Just as we might ask a friend on earth to pray for us, we can ask a friend in heaven to pray for us. I explain to them that St. Anthony can say, “Hey, Jesus, that boy you love so much in Timonium has lost his jacket yet again. Could we help him find it?”

I like to think that turning to saints throughout the day helps our children grow in their faith and helps them feel less alone. I want so much for them to feel loved and supported. Here are a few of our favorite people to ask to intercede for us in our daily lives:

St. Michael the Archangel

Young children encounter moments of fear throughout the day. St. Michael is a perfect saint to turn to in a moment of fear or anxiety. Our sons know he’s a strong warrior—we have a statue that shows St. Michael crushing the devil’s head under his foot—and they know that the St. Michael Prayer begins, “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.”

Going down the steps into a dimly lit basement doesn’t feel like a battle to me as a grown-up, but it can to a child. Saying that phrase as a little boy peers down the steps can give just enough courage to take on that daunting feat.

St. Teresa of Kolkata

St. Teresa is someone to turn to when I am facing a mess—physical or emotional—that I would rather walk away from completely. I look to her for support in remembering that we show love through our actions.

When the dishwasher is broken and I’m washing dishes for hours on end, I think of how Mother Teresa said, “Wash the plate not because it is dirty nor because you are told to wash it, but because you love the person who will use it next.”

St. Rita: Patron of the Impossible

St. Rita is a patron saint for impossible causes, so I keep her in mind for the really difficult situations in life. When a diagnosis seems dire or a problem seems to have no clear answer, I turn to St. Rita and ask her to take my problem to Jesus.

She has moved some mountains I didn’t think would move—both in my personal and professional life—so I don’t run to her with just any request. But she and St. Jude are known for being able to help sort out some of life’s seemingly hopeless situations.

St. Clare : Patron of TVs and Screens

It is amazing to me how often we have issues with technology. Someone’s forgotten a password to access something on their phone, the remote control isn’t working anymore, or there’s some other screen-related issue.

That’s when it’s great to reach out to St. Clare , who is the patron saint of televisions and screens. My children used to be surprised that there is a patron saint of television, but there is.

We even have Blessed Carlo Acutis , a former video gamer who is on the path to sainthood. It’s great to know that you can be a gamer and achieve heaven—and it makes saints feel more real to all of us.

St. Francis of Assisi: Patron of Animals

Our pets are such treasured members of our families. In our household, we’re all about our little finches. But sometimes we are watching them to make sure they’re staying healthy. At times like that, it’s great to be able to turn to St. Francis , who is well-known for his love of animals and nature.

Even families who don’t have pets might find themselves turning to St. Francis to ask for prayers for a nest of eggs on their porch or the squirrels who travel through the yard with nuts in their mouths. Many children are more enthusiastic about praying for animals than for the humans in their lives.

Many people turn to St. Joseph for help in selling their homes , so he seems like a great person to reach out to when there’s a household issue.

That pipe is leaking? The heat doesn’t seem to be coming on at the start of winter? The repair service says they can’t send anyone to fix the dryer for three weeks?

St. Joseph is a great person to ask to help, especially since he is such a model of patience and going with the flow through life’s twists and turns.

All You Holy Men and Women, Pray for Us

As we enter the month of November, when we think of all the saints in heaven, we have an opportunity to pick one or two who might be new to us. Getting to know more about holy people who lived lives of love and service reminds us of our own purpose here on earth.

And next time we need a friend with a little expertise or insight in a certain area, we’ll know who to call on for help.

Let’s hope that jacket isn’t missing again tomorrow.

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Finding your patron saint (or being found)

Oct 21, 2015 1:30:39 PM | by Kate Towne

What a sweet and wholesome desire! And a worry so easily remedied, in my mind.

Our first patron saints are, of course, our name saints, if we’re given saints’ names. In the old days, according to Canon Law, if a baby’s first or middle name wasn’t a saint’s name, the priest would bestow one at baptism. I’ve read some funny stories about priests’ choices! But the Code of Canon Law changed in 1983, and the new naming requirements are not so strict. Canon 855 states that, “Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name foreign to Christian sensibility is not given.” That’s it. Basically, most names are totally fine.

So even Catholic babies don’t always have a patron saint these days, which isn’t the end of the world (otherwise Mother Church would have retained the requirement of a saint’s name), though I do love St. John Chrysostom’s perspective:

“ So let the name of the saints enter our homes through the naming of our children, to train not only the child but the father, when he reflects that he is the father of John or Elijah or James … Do not because it is a small thing regard it as small; its purpose is to succour us. ” ( source )

Fortunately, many many names either are saints’ names or can be connected to a saint somehow—choosing saint-less names is harder than it may seem! But if a person truly has such a name (in both the first and middle name spots), and hasn’t had the opportunity to choose a Confirmation name, there are several other ways of determining a patron saint:

Birthday’s feast day

Every day of the year is the feast of at least one saint, often more than one (see here ). I personally have always felt more connected to my birthday saint (St. Rose of Lima) than to my name saint (my given name is Katherine, chosen because it’s a saint’s name, and I do love all the ones I know about, but I've never felt connected to any of them). If, as many people say, you don’t choose your patron saint—rather, he or she chooses you—then looking to the feast day of the day you were born is a pretty great method of finding your patron.

Interests, talents, hobbies, job, vocation, heritage

God made each of us with interests and talents that reveal themselves in and point us toward hobbies and jobs, and indeed our lives’ vocations, and there’s a patron saint for every one of those details. Many of us feel a particular attachment to our cultural heritage—there’s a patron saint for every country and diocese, and many cities. Even particular sicknesses and struggles have their own patron saints—those who suffer might find those saints to seem closer to them than any other.

Name meanings

One of the name books on my shelf is Dictionary of Patron Saints' Names by Fr. Thomas Sheehan, in which he attempted to list many (most?) of the names in use in the English language that he could think of and say who would be the patron saint for each name, based on things like meaning, sound, attributes that kind of thing—a way of backfitting into a patron saint. And the web sites Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources and Behind the Name are the most trustworthy sites I know of for name meanings, etymology, etc., and Behind the Name allows you to search for names with the same meaning, so that's another way to go—if you knew could find names with the same meaning as yours.

Patron saint generator

Finally, perhaps the epitome of the “your patron saint chooses you” idea (other than the saint whose feast falls on your birthday) is a patron saint generator. Some parishes do such a thing around New Year’s, where you're able to blindly pick a folded piece of paper with a saint’s name on it from a basket. There’s also the online tool Saint’s Name Generator .

All these are perfectly valid ways of choosing a patron saint (or allowing a patron saint to choose you), as there are no requirements to make such a thing “official.” You can also see how easy it is for one person to have many patron saints—for example, one’s first name, one’s middle name, one’s Confirmation name, a saint connected to hobbies/job/vocation, and I’ve seen people choose patron saints for their families and work and ministries, for each new year, and for different seasons of life. The more the merrier! What a blessing and help it is to have so many heavenly friends in your corner.

Do you consider your patron saint to be your name saint? If not, how did you choose your patron? Do you feel drawn to more than one saint?

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About the Author

Kate is a writer, wife to a really good man, and mama to their seven boys ages 1 to 15. She shares her thoughts on Catholic baby naming at Sancta Nomina , and her first book, Catholic Baby Names for Girls and Boys: Over 250 Ways to Honor Our Lady (Marian Press, 2018) can be found at ShopMercy.org and Amazon .

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Author and Publisher - Catholic Online Printable Catholic Saints PDFs Shop St. Agnes

St. Agnes of Rome was born in 291 AD and raised in a Christian family. Agnes was very beautiful and belonged to a wealthy family. Her hand in marriage was highly sought after, and she had many high ranking men chasing after her. However, Agnes made a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was great and she hated sin even more than death!

Whenever a man wished to marry Agnes, she would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse."

According to legend, the young men she turned away became so angry and insulted by her devotion to God and purity that they began to submit her name to authorities as a Christian follower.

In one incident, Procop, the Governor's son, became very angry when she refused him. He tried to win her for his wife with rich gifts and promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!"

In great anger, Procop accused her of being a Christian and brought her to his father, the Governor. The Governor promised Agnes wonderful gifts if she would only deny God, but Agnes refused. He tried to change her mind by putting her in chains, but her lovely face shone with joy.

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Next he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. At last, she was condemned to death. Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. "I would offend my Spouse," she said, "if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!" Then she prayed and bowed her head for the death-stroke of the sword.

Other accounts of Agnes' life hold the Prefect Sempronius responsible for her martyrdom. It is said he condemned the young girl to be dragged through the streets naked. Some versions of the legend state that Agnes' hair grew instantly to cover her entire body and all the men who attempted to rape the beautiful virgin were immediately struck blind.

The stories go on to explain that another man presided over Agnes' trial after Sempronius excused himself. The new man sentenced Agnes to death. At first, Agnes was tied to a stake, but either the wood would not burn or the flames parted away from her. This prompted an officer to draw his sword and behead the girl. It is believed that her blood, which poured out to the stadium, was soaked up with cloths by Christians.

She died a virgin-martyr at the age of 12 or 13 on 21 January 304.

Agnes was buried beside the Via Nomentana in Rome. Her bones are currently conserved beneath the high altar in the church of Sant'Angese fuori le mura in Rome, which was built over the catacomb that held her tomb. Her skull is preserved in the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone in Rome's Piazza Navona.

In 1858, Father Caspar Rehrl, an Austrian missionary founded the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

St. Agnes is widely known as the patron saint of young girls. She is also the patron saint of chastity, rape survivors and the Children of Mary. She is often represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virgin innocence, and a palm branch, like other martyrs. She is shown as a young girl in robes holding a palm branch with the lamb either at her feet or in her arms.

Her feast day is celebrated on January 21. On her feast day, it is customary for two lambs to be brought in to be blessed by the pope. On Holy Thursday the lambs' wool is removed and woven into the pallium the pope gives to a newly consecrated archbishop as a sign of his power and union with the pope.

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Saint Patrick

Introduction.

Patrick was born in Roman Britain in about 387 ce . When he was about 16 he was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave.

Two letters written by Patrick have survived. In one of them, he says that he was a slave for six years in Ireland before managing to escape. He returned to Britain but later felt called to go back to Ireland to spread Christian beliefs. He had come from a Christian family, and his faith had helped him during his time as a slave. He spent the rest of his life traveling around Ireland as a missionary.

Learn more about the life of Saint Patrick.

One legend tells how Saint Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland. Another story tells how he used the shamrock in his missionary work. A shamrock has three leaves on each stem. Patrick used this to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity refers to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Christian religion.

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10 Saints Every Student Needs For Going Back to School
Homework, grading, and busy schedules are all imminently close. Luckily for us, God provides us with heavenly friends to help us through these academic challenges: the saints! ... It is no surprise that Saint Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of test takers. He's a great saint to call upon throughout your academic career, especially ...
17 Saints Every Student Needs to Begin the School Year
He's the patron of every student's favorite resource: technology, computers, and the Internet. 12. St. Expeditus. If you struggle with procrastination, call on him to you expedite! 13. St. Joseph Cupertino. He's the patron of test takers! 14. St. John the Apostle. The Beloved Disciple is called upon to aid in friendships and is the patron ...
Saints for Studying
St. Joseph was a simple and holy man of prayer who really struggled with studies. He passed the exams for ordination because at the examination, through the grace of God, he was asked the one question that he knew! All you holy men and women of God, teachers of the faithful, pray for us. St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.
Every Student Should Know These Patron Saints
St. Joseph of Cupertino. St. Joseph was a poor student and barely made it out of seminary due to his poor grades. Legend has it that he asked to know the answer to the exam question that he needed to known to "graduate" from seminary. Miraculously, he passed the exam and was able to get ordained as a result.
5 Patron Saints Every Student Needs to Know About
And there are many saints who are perfect for students to turn to. Today we share this great infographic from HolyArt.com, introducing you to five Patron Saints of students, in order that you can get to know them and ask for their help and intercession. If you're a student, we hope that this will help you, and if you're not, don't forget ...
12 saints to guide students through the school year
St. Vitus. Finally, St. Vitus is the patron saint for one of the greatest issues in a student's life—oversleeping. This martyr for God was not prone to sleeping in late as his patronage suggests, but instead he was put to death in a pot of boiling oil along with a rooster.
10 Patron Saints Every Catholic College Student Should Know
5. Procrastination - St. Expeditus. The irony of St. Expeditus' name and his designation as the patron saint against procrastination is almost too much to handle but wow I wish I knew about him while I was struggling through the last few weeks of my 2015 fall semester. 6. Scholars - St. Thomas Aquinas.
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas was a medieval Catholic priest, theologian, and philosopher. He is considered one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church and is best known for his works on the integration of faith and reason. He lived in the 13th century and is often referred to as the "Angelic Doctor.". He was born in the kingdom of Sicily ...
With Finals Looming…Who Is the Patron Saint of Studying?
1) St. Thomas Aquinas — the official patron of scholars and a doctor of the church. His great work, the " Summa Theologica ," might just be something you're studying in fact. 2) St. John Henry Newman was very active in the intellectual life and set up centers for discussion so as to merge Catholics with intellectual conversation at ...
A student's prayer, by St. Thomas Aquinas--Aleteia
School, at any level -from pre-K to grad school- is meant to be challenging. Paraphrasing St. John of the Cross, "to come to enjoy what you don't know, you must go through you don't know ...
Patron saints of students and teachers
St. Peter of Alexandria (died 311) Feast day: Nov. 26. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Peter headed its catechetical school before being named bishop-patriarch in 300. In his early Church history, Eusebius called Peter an excellent teacher. Peter's own theological writings were cited in a fifth-century dispute over Christ's divinity and humanity.
Patron saints for students
Catechizing poor children by the time he was 11-years-old, St. Aloysius is the patron saint of young students. Likewise, if students are new to a school or are looking to make friends, they can call upon St. John the Apostle, the patron saint of friendship. St. John the Apostle was the one to whom Jesus entrusted the Blessed Mother as they ...
Three Catholic saints to help students pray in times of stress
Saint Dymphna For healing of stress, anxiety, and mental-health afflictions, pray for the intercession of Saint Dymphna. Saint Dymphna, a beautiful, young Irish princess from the 7th century, is known as the patron saint of those with nervous and emotional disorders. Dymphna lived a short but pious life and died a martyr for her faith and freedom.
Patron Saints: Lists of Catholic Patron Saints, Who They Are ...
Similarly, while St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of students, someone struggling to promptly complete homework assignments might look to St. Expeditus, patron saint of procrastinators. Catholics never pray to saints. Rather, saints are venerated and Catholics ask for their intercession. Catholics ask saints to pray to God.
5 patron saints for students
5. Patron saint of workers - St. Joseph Whether looking for a summer job while on break, work during college to help make ends meet, or seeking a profession once entering the real world, consider asking St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, for guidance during the discernment, job search and interview process.
Patron Saints A-Z
Catholic Online. Saints & Angels. 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.
Patron saints around the house
In 1999, a group of Catholic webmasters and computer technicians interpreted Isidore's encyclopedia as the world's first database and adopted him as the patron of the Internet and computers. If a mouse is in the house, or sugar ants have taken over the kitchen, turn to St. Magnus of Fuessen. According to an old legend, this seventh-century ...
7 saints you can call on for help
I want so much for them to feel loved and supported. Here are a few of our favorite people to ask to intercede for us in our daily lives: St. Michael the Archangel. Young children encounter moments of fear throughout the day. St. Michael is a perfect saint to turn to in a moment of fear or anxiety.
Finding your patron saint (or being found)
There's also the online tool Saint's Name Generator. All these are perfectly valid ways of choosing a patron saint (or allowing a patron saint to choose you), as there are no requirements to make such a thing "official.". You can also see how easy it is for one person to have many patron saints—for example, one's first name, one's ...
List of patron saints by occupation and activity
Saint Barbara, patron saint of artillerymen, with a cannon. Academics - Thomas Aquinas, Albert the Great Actors - Genesius [1] Comic actors - Maturinus Accountants - Matthew Advertisers - Bernardino of Siena [2] Air travellers - Joseph of Cupertino Altar servers - John Berchmans, [3] Tarcisius, Lorenzo Ruiz; Ambassadors - Gabriel the Archangel Anesthesiologists - René Goupil [4]
St. Agnes
St. Agnes is widely known as the patron saint of young girls. She is also the patron saint of chastity, rape survivors and the Children of Mary. She is often represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virgin innocence, and a palm branch, like other martyrs. She is shown as a young girl in robes holding a palm branch with the lamb either at her ...
patron saint
A canonized saint honored as special protector of a country is known as a patron saint. A patron saint may also be a benefactor of persons in a certain occupation or a guardian of those who bear the saint's name. A patron saint may be invoked to intercede with God for help in a time of special need. A canonized saint honored as special ...
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a missionary who helped to make Ireland a Christian country. He is now the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17.