Nowadays it is common to hear people say, “There’s an app for that.” about anything and everything. But long before we had apps, we had Saints. There truly is a patron saint for just about everything from oversleeping (Saint Vitus) to clowns (St. Julian the Hospitaler).
Finding a patron Saint for the profession you have chosen can be very beneficial for your career. Much like having a mentor here on earth, finding a Saint in heaven to intercede on your behalf can provide wisdom and guidance. These holy men and women provide us with inspiration to live out our careers with the virtue and love of Christ.
Check out our list to see if you can find your profession and patron saint. If we did not include your patron, leave us a comment and we will provide you with the information.
Who is the Patron Saint of Your Profession?
Who: St. Anne
What: Patron of Housewives
Why: St. Anne is the mother of the Virgin Mary. She must have raised Mary to be obedient to God and to live with humility.
Reflect: St. Anne had no way of imagining what her daughter would do for the world. We do not know what the future holds for our children either. We must look to St. Anne and prepare our children to respond to God’s call in the same way that Mary did. Ask for her help on the days you find difficulty in the mundane tasks that keep your household in order.
Who: St. Thomas Aquinas
What: Patron of Students
Why: St. Thomas Aquinas was known to be a superb student. He did everything with excellence and virtue. He went on to become a priest and was eventually declared a Doctor of the Church.
Reflect: Am I reaching my greatest potential as a student or do I sometimes not work as hard as I should?
Who: St. John Baptist de la Salle
What: Patron of Teachers
Why: St. John Baptist de la Salle used an inherited fortune to establish schools and train teachers. He was revolutionary in his approach to educating all classes and types of boys.
Reflect: How can I be more creative in my teaching in order to meet the needs of all types of children?
Who: St. John Bosco
What: Patron of Youth Ministers
Why: St. John Bosco worked hard to lead children to Christ throughout his life. He encouraged troubled youth to frequent the Sacraments of Confession and Communion. He also had a passion to teach them the Catechism.
Reflect: St. John Bosco was very successful in ministering to youth because he genuinely cared for their physical, emotional and spiritual well being. He engaged youth on their level and build excitement for the faith. How do you show your teens how much you care for them?
Who: St. Gregory the Great
What: Patron of Singers and Musicians
Why: St. Gregory the Great is known as the father of Gregorian chant, which makes him an obvious choice as a patron for singers and musicians. He is known for his contributions to the Liturgy of the Mass and the Divine Office. He is also a doctor of the Church.
Reflect: Do I use my musical ability to bring glory, honor and praise to God?
Who: St. Joseph
What: Patron Saint of Engineers and Craftsmen
Why: St. Joseph was a “a righteous man” (Matthew 1:18) who worked diligently as a carpenter to provide for Mary and Jesus. He is honored for his hard work and obedience to God.
Reflect: Joseph’s work was important to him, but it appears in Scripture that when it was necessary he put his faith and family needs first (traveling to Bethlehem, fleeing to Egypt to keep Jesus safe, and traveling to Jerusalem for Passover). Do I put faith and family ahead of my career?
Who: St. Ivo de Kermartin
What: Patron of Lawyers
Why: St. Ivo served as an ecclesiastical judge. He was known as an advocate for the poor. He kept his Bible constantly by his side.
Reflect: Do I keep my Bible near me so that the wisdom of God is always at hand? Do I use my knowledge to advocate for the poor?
Who: St. Giuseppe Moscati
What: Patron of Doctors
Why: St. Giuseppe Moscati was one of the first doctors to experiment with the use of insulin for diabetics. He was also known to give care and money to those who could not afford healthcare. St. Giuseppe had a holistic approach to healthcare, treating the soul as well as the body.
Reflect: Do I care as much for my patients’ spiritual needs as I do for their physical needs?
Who: St. Francis de Sales
What: Patron of writers, journalists, those who work with the deaf
Why: St. Francis is the patron of writers because of the many tracts and books that he wrote. He is the patron of those who work with the deaf because he developed a sign language in order to teach a deaf man about God.
Reflect: When people read what I have written, do they know that I am a Christian?
Who: St. Sebastian
What: Patron of Athletes and Soldiers
Why: St. Sebastian is the patron of both athletes and soldiers because he was known for his strength and endurance. It is said he had a zeal for spreading and defending the faith. He was a member of the Roman army.
Reflect: Do others see Christ in you when you compete in sports or fight in battle?
