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WHY DO CATHOLICS...? ARCHIVE
The following question was answered as a part of our Why Do Catholics...? series. If you would like to submit a question for our Why Do Catholics...? series, email faithform@abecket.org or leave your question in the Faith Formation box in the Parish Office.

What is a Patron Saint?

Because Catholics believe that saints can intercede on our behalf (see, Why do Catholics Pray to Saints and Mary?) A patron saint is a saint who is particularly chosen as the intercessor and advocate before the throne of God on behalf of a nation, a place, a family, clan or person, even a craft, activity, occupation. Saints often become the Patron saints of places where they were born or had active ministry. Though over the centuries it was common to transfer the remains of a famous saint who had lived and was buried elsewhere, to a particular city and its cathedral and thereby make that saint the city's Patron. Spanish and Portugese explorers often named a location for the Saint on whose day the place was first visited and consequently that Saint would become the saint of a town or city which developed there.

Laura Broyles, Adult Faith Formation Director
laura.broyles@abecket.or

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