There’s a patron saint for nearly everything. If you name it, the Church probably has a saint for it.
Let’s explore some of the most bizarre and random things our saints are patrons of. Plus, you never know when you might need their specific intercession!
1. St. Isidore– The Internet
St. John Paul II appointed him to that — because, let’s be honest, the Internet is a scary place.
2. St. Drogo – Unattractive People
Looks aren’t all that matters. Plus, he could bilocate!
3. St. Polycarp of Smyrna – Dysentery
Polycarp may top the random patron saints list just with this word – if you’re not familiar with it, “dysentery” is a pretty severe illness you may want to look up since we don’t necessarily want to go into it here 🫣.
4. St. Cornelius – Twitching
He was beheaded with an ax. So…
5. St. Valentine – Greeting Card Manufacturers
Obviously.
6. St. Adrian of Nicodema – Arms Dealers
He used to persecute Christians, but then he converted.
What does it take to be canonized a saint? Find out here!
7. St. Clotilde – Disappointing Children
As royalty, Clotilde’s children fought endlessly and divided the kingdom.
8. St. Eligius – Gas Station Workers
He was the patron of all metalsmithing and horses… but then cars came, so, yeah.
9. St. Hubert of Liege – Protection Against Rabies
He’s associated with hunting.
10. St. Friard – Protection Against a Fear of Wasps
A swarm of wasps went after his tormenters. Don’t mess with him.
We’ve got a list of the most popular Catholic saints – if you think you know them, maybe try again, because some of their stories may not be as well-known as we think!
11. St. Magnus – Protection Against Caterpillars
At least they’re not as scary as wasps (if maybe sometimes more dangerous).
12. St. Barbara – Protection Against ‘Anything That Goes BOOM’
Fireworks, artillery, lightning, etc. Her father forced her to marry, but she refused, so he beheaded her. Soon after, he was struck by lightning and killed 😳.
13. St. Germain Cousin – Girls from Rural Areas
The Midwest girls can relate to this 😄🌽.
14. St. Patrick – Protection Against Abnormal Fear of Snakes
A fear of snakes is pretty normal, though.
15. St. Columbanus – Motocyclists
He probably rode a Harley.
If you’ve made it this far, you must really love learning about the saints! Take a look at our newest canonized and soon-to-be canonized saints.
16. St. Drausinus – Invincible People
Now we know how all the action movie heroes survive.
17. St. Benedict of Nursia – Spelunkers
We need patron saints of cool words like that (it means “one who makes a hobby of exploring and studying caves”).
18. St. Theodore of Sykeon – Protection Against and For Rain
Classic case of the “both/and.”
19. St. Malo – Pig Keepers
Does that also make him the patron of bacon?
20. St. Bibiana – Hangovers
Her name comes from the Latin word that means “to drink.” Moderation, folks.
21. St. Vitus – Oversleeping
Every college kid should pray to this saint.
22. St. Arnold – Beer
In tradition, some thirsty people prayed to him to give them what they lacked — and a pot of beer appeared.
23. St. Genesius – Clowns, Movies, Actors, Plumbers, and Torture Victims
It’s good to cover the gaps!
24. St. Fiacre – Taxi Drivers and Gardeners
An interesting combo.
And the grand prize winner for the patron saint of most random things goes to…
25. ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA – Unmarried Girls, Apologists, Potters, Spinners, Archivists, Dying People, Educators, Girls, Jurists, Knife Sharpeners, Lawyers, Libraries, Maidens, Mechanics, Millers, Hat-Makers, Nurses, Philosophers, Preachers, Scholars, Schoolchildren, Scribes, Secretaries, Spinsters, Stenographers, Students, Tanners, Theologians, University of Paris, Haberdashers, Wheelwrights, the Philippines, and Greece
What have you done with your life lately?
Additional Resources
Eager to become a saint yourself (and join this random patron saints list 🤪)? Check out Fr. Josh Johnson’s talk from SEEK on How to Become A Saint and Jason Evert’s SEEK talk on Why the Church Needs More Saints.
If you want to learn about more than the random patron saints, you can also learn more about the influences of saints in our SEEK podcast episode and how they used their light during the darkest times.
For more on the saints, check out a few of these articles on FOCUS Equip:
Favorite Saints’ Favorite Saints (and Their Other Devotions)
Saints Are Still Being Made: Meet Chiara Corbella Petrillo
St. John Bosco and the Power of Relationships
What St. Marianne Cope Teaches Us About Leading From the Front
4 Lessons from Sts. Joachim and Anne – Our Spiritual Grandparents
Who is St. Josephine Bakhita? 5 Lessons from a 20th Century Saint
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