St Catherine: Patron Saint of Fire Prevention

Saint Catherine of Sienna is widely recognized as one of the Christian and Catholic worlds’ most intelligent theological and philosophical minds, albeit she never experienced receiving any kind of formal education.

In the year 1377, Catholic Saint Catherine unyieldingly persuaded the Holy Pope to return to the City of Rome, and up to her last breath she as a staunch promoter of the healing of the Western Schism.

Our Lord God gave her Stigmata in 1375, which became visible to people only after St Catherine’s death. The letters and treatise of Saint Catherine of Sienna were seriously considered as among the Catholic Church’s most intelligent theological writings.

St. Catherine died at the young age of 33, and the Catholic Saint’s body was discovered to be preserved in the year 1430.

Patron Saint: Fire Prevention, Doctor of Church
Feast day of Saint Catherine: April 29

Saint Aphrodisius - Cephalophore

What is a cephalophore? It is actually a Greek word which means “head-carrier.” Cephalophore is a saint who is depicted as holding his head with his own hands; this means that the saint was martyred by way of beheading. Some artists, when wanting to depict a cephalophore, either places the saint’s halo on where his head is used to be found. Other artists and sculptors have their Catholic Saints holding their halo together with the head.

One of the more popular cephalophore saints is Saint Aphrodisius. As he was preaching the Christian faith, he encountered some pagans among the crowd who became reacted violently and went on the behead Saint Aphrodius on the same spot. Aphrodisius then was able to pick up and bring his head to the church that he consecrated at the place. The site still exists – Beziers’ Place Saint-Aphrodise.

The feast day of Saint Aphrodisius is today – April 28.

San Lorenzo Ruiz: First Filipino Saint

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, also known as Saint Laurence Ruiz is the first ever Filipino Roman Catholic Saint venerated and honored in the Catholic Church. St. Lorenzo was a martyr during the Tokugawa Shogunate - 17th century persecution of the Christians in Japan.

St Lorenzo Ruiz is considered the Patron Saint of the Filipino and Chinese Filipino youth. He is also known as the Patron Saint of the Filipino Expatriates and people lacking in basic necessities. The Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz is every September 28.

Prayer to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz

Lord, you have given Lorenzo Ruiz
Great strength to resist the
Forces of death
Because of his great faith in your love.

Through Lorenzo’s prayers
Please make us follow his steps
Help us overcome all adversities and trials
And increase tremendously
Our hope, faith and full love for You.


Dear Saint Lorenzo Ruiz,
You gave much honor to the Philippines,
You are a humble witness of Jesus Christ in your simple life
Up to your own death.

We sent all our prayers and petitions
To the Lord God with your assistance
In order that with all our actions and prayers,
We are able to know and understand more
Our Lord Jesus Christ.

We pray for your intercession
Our dear Saint Lorenzo Ruiz,
For the honor and glory of the Lord God
And also for your honor
As a humble martyr and follower of Jesus Christ
And staunch defender of the Christian faith.

Amen.

Few More Facts about the Saints

Do you know that as of today, there are more than ten thousand Roman Catholic saints, including beatified persons? However with the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox religions, this number of saints might even be higher. We also have the Calendar of Saints listed according the day on which they are honored and venerated. There is also a list of Catholic saints, according the date of their death.

What really are Patron Saints?

For Christians and Catholics that have the belief that there exist the intercessions of Catholic Saints, this is called the patron saint, wherein the saint has a special fondness or affinity to a specific group. For example, for the carpenters who believe in their intercession, they can always pray to Saint Joseph. And for those who consider themselves burdened with impossible cases and problems, they can also go to St Jude or Saint Rita of Cascia for their intercession.

Negative Views about Patron Saints

Some religions view the belief of Christians and Catholics on the intercession of the Patron Saints as polytheism and even idolatry. They associate the patron saint with the gods or goddesses of pagans during the olden times. And because of these, the non-believers think of the act of saint veneration as one that is condemnable by the Holy Bible.

It must be clear that the praying to the saints does not mean adoring and worshipping them. Catholics and even Christians do not pray to the saints with the thinking that the saints will help them directly.

Catholics are clearly aware that the Roman Catholic Saints are only a medium. They act as effective intercessors, so that your prayers are more effectively listened to by the Lord, with the hope that our intentions will be granted faster.