Patron Saint

Saint Nicholas: patron saint of children, seamen, scholars, brides,the hungry and more Prayer Card, G. E. Mullan Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Saint Nicholas is said to be just about everyone’s saint; he is surely named the patron saint of more causes than any other saint. Nicholas has been chosen as the special protector or guardian of a great many classes of people, cities, churches, and even countries.

Patron saints have lived a life which is a worthy example of how to faithfully follow Jesus Christ and, as part of the communion of saints, they intercede on behalf of those who call upon them.

In the West Nicholas is most widely known as the patron saint of children. Many of his stories tell of children rescued from calamity and returned to the care and keeping of their families. In France the most familiar story, both told and sung, is of three little children lured into the clutches of an evil butcher and rescued by St. Nicholas. Other stories, as well, tell of children who disappeared, were kidnapped, fell into a well, or suffered some other disaster-all to be delivered through the good offices of St. Nicholas. These accounts of a child forcibly taken from parents, followed by a time of grieving and despair, then the miraculous return of the child, have profound and universal appeal which makes Nicholas the much valued Guardian of Children. It is no wonder he is the beloved patron saint of children.

In other parts of the world, however, St. Nicholas’ chief patronage is that of sailors and ships—offering safe voyage and protection from storms. Many ports, most notably in Greece, have icons of Nicholas, surrounded by ex-votos of small ships made of silver or carved of wood. Sailors returning safely from sea, place these in gratitude to St. Nicholas for protection received. In some places sailors, instead of wishing one another luck, say, “May St. Nicholas hold the tiller.”

St Nicholas, patron of children

Holy Card, Ukraine

St Nicholas Center Collection Saint Nikolaus, patron of the seamen

Holy card, Germany, G. Winkler

St Nicholas Center Collection

Prisoners and others wrongly condemned are St. Nicholas’ third major category of patronage. It reveals his strong concern for justice, especially for innocent victims. The stories of guiltless soldiers lives being spared and others wrongly imprisoned being released form the basis for this category.

St. Nicholas providing dowry money to the three impoverished maidens is the story behind his patronage for young women seeking a marriage partner. Even today young women who wish to get married still come to the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy, on the 6th of December to leave a note to St. Nicholas and put three coins in a box.

These lists illustrate the extent of Nicholas’ extraordinary influence and patronage.

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