Patron Saints?

Question

While I know saints are NOT worshipped, why is it that there are patron saints for specific people or places? What makes that saint particularly efficacious in that circumstances? Shouldn't all saints be equal, as they are all in Heaven with God, and thus all have an equal influence with Him?

Answer 1

The concept of patron saint grew over the centuries from, stories surrounding good works done by these people during the lives or miracles attributed to these people after their death.

It doesn't mean that those saint are any better than any of the others. Just like some people are known for caring for the sick while others are known for their ability to write, saints are known for different things.

Answer 2

Patron Saints are like "specialized" saints. They're not more important, just better represent the field over which they reside.

Thats like saying you without a Medical degree should have equal influence in talking to patients simply because you're special!

Answer 3

"Body of Christ"

Let's look at what the Church teaches about the Church (Church = Everyone who belongs to the chruch; not the building) & "Body of Christ" See we believe that all Christains (past, present, and future) make up the body of Christ. Simply you can look at your hand.

Is your thumb equal to your index finger? No they are not equal. The thumb is short and allows the hand a good grabbing motion. The index fingar is longer and used often to help the thumb grab. Are they both important to function easy? Yes, they are both help you function with ease. Without the thumb, using tools would be hard. The index fingar is favored to grasp with the thumb and to make phone calls. So, in God's eye's, there is value in the thumb and index finger --- but they are not equal.

Or ... Can the eye say it's better than the foot? Or the foot say he will do away with the eye? No ...

Same with the Saints - with you - with me. We are each created with a specific design bestowed by God.

Answer 4

No, the saints are the souls who are in Heaven with our Lord. The canonized "S"aints are patron/ess for various types of intercessional prayers to God. Such as if your a rape victim or suffering from a mental illness you can ask St. Dymphna to pray to God on your behalf. Or if your pregnant and want to have a healthily pregnancy or are a woman struggling with having an abortion you can ask St. Catherine of Siena to pray to God on your behalf. Or if your a solider in battle wanting to feel safe and not get killed in battle you can ask St. Michael the Archangel to pray to God on your behalf. There are patron/ess Saints for all sorts of careers, trades, jobs, etc. and there are even patron/ess Saints of countries such as Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness Saint of the Americas.

Answer 5

It's because they have an interest in that area of patronage. Like a gardener would be patron of Gardens.

Saints do not have equal influence with God because they have different levels or righteousness depending on how they lived their lives.

Answer 6

It's a matter of economics. Saints were created because saint relics were a big business for most of church history. People would pay to touch them and contribute to the church that housed them. Rich patrons could even buy them. They are of lesser importance now but you can still find them on eBay.

Answer 7

They're sort of like demi-gods in that hugely polytheistic religion called Catholicism.

Saint Quentin is the patron saint against coughs - hm.. Let's perform an experiment - praying to him versus cough syrup...

Answer 8

The concept of patron saints is not Scriptural. You are correct in your thinking. We are all equal in G-d's eyes.

Answer 9

One who is a Christian is considered a Saint. Paul called all Christians Saints. We are all equal and to say that one is higher, or better, or watching over you is bologna.