"Man is not perfectly happy, so long as something remains for him to desire and seek." ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas knew what it meant to be happy.
He knew that it meant to no longer be seeking or desiring anything else. He
knew that meant you needed to be with God, next to Him, face-to-face. Thomas,
as well as the over 10,000 other patron saints, are all perfectly happy. Having
sought after and fulfilled their destiny by now being face-to-face with God,
each patron saint has the ability to intercede on our behalf. Being
face-to-face with God gives them the unearthly ability to hear our prayer, take
it directly to God, and pray along with us.
In each of life’s circumstances we have a
patron saint there for us. St. Patrick of Ireland, St. Valentine of love and
happy marriage, and St. Christopher the patron saint of travelers are amongst
some of the most
well known patron saints, but what about those we are less familiar
with?
All Saints day is November 1, and what better
way to celebrate and commemorate their lives than to discover a few new patron
saints that may be able to play an active role in our lives. Let’s take a look
at 5 patron saints that may not be as well known, but may play an important
role in our lives:
- St.
Isidore of Seville – Isidore is best known for his work in education and
writing an encyclopedia used as a textbook in classrooms for many years.
He believed in harnessing the knowledge of the world for the glory of God.
He has been suggested as the patron of the Internet.
- St. Apollonia –
Apollonia became a martyr after throwing her body in a fire when told to
curse her God. Just before her death, she had been beaten and all of her
teeth knocked out. Thus, she became the patron saint of dentists and
toothaches.
- St.
Jerome Emiliani – Known for establishing a congregation dedicated to
the care of orphans and the education of youth. Jerome is the patron saint
of orphans and abandoned children.
- St.
Rita of Cascia – Rita was forced to marry at a young age, keeping her
from her desire to become a nun. The man she married was cruel, and later
died, along with her sons. Rita later became a nun working in prayer and
charity. She is the patron saint of difficult marriages and parenthood.
- St.
Aloysius Gonzaga – Aloysius suffered from kidney health problems from a
young age. Knowing he wanted to be a priest he studied the saints. After a
vision from the Archangel Gabriel, he learned of his imposing death within
the year. He was ordained a deacon at the age of 20, but was never able to
become a priest. He is the patron saint of teenagers and Christian youth.
Whether you are suffering from an obscure neurological disorder,
are in the field of acting or advertising, leaving soon for college, living in
England or Uruguay, or are a member of the military, take comfort in knowing
there is a patron saint that is able and
willing to intercede on your behalf.
GUEST POST WRITTEN BY: Jessica Doran Haas of St. Patrick's Guild
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