Prayers for all Occasions, Needs, and Intentions

PRAYERS TO THE SAINTS OF COUNTRIES

Patrons of Countries

Americas, Australia  |  Belgium, Brazil  |  Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic  |  Denmark  |  England  |  Finland, France  |  Germany, Greece  | Holland, Hungary  |  India, Ireland, Italy  |  Japan  |  Malta, Mexico  |  New Zealand, Norway  |  Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal  |   Republic of Russia  |  Scotland, South Africa Spain, Sweden, Switzerland  |  United States  |  Wales, West Indies

The Church is ever solicitous of encouraging Christians to maintain relations with the Saints, for the Church knows that by staying close to the Saints we stay close to Christ. In the words of Vatican II:

"The authentic cult of the Saints consists not so much in the multiplying of eternal acts, but rather in the greater intensity of our love, whereby, for our own good and that of the whole Church, we seek from the Saints example in their way of life, fellowship in their communion, and aid by their intercession."

The prayers contained herein are in no way official. They are, however, indicative of ways in which this patronage of National Saints can be utilized by the people of each country. At the same time, they provide a way of finding one's spiritual roots, so to speak, for people who may have emigrated to other countries which have different Patron Saints.

A

AMERICAS

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

How kind you were, O Mary, to appear to an Indian convert in Mexico, leaving on his cloak as credential a permanent image of yourself. You thereby won many for Christ and naturally became the Patroness of Mexico and the Americas, and especially of the poor. May more and more people through your intercession accept your dear Son as their Lord.

AUSTRALIA

Prayer to Our Lady, Help of Christians:

Among all God's human creatures, who possesses greater power to help humankind than you, O Mary! While on earth you lived in obscurity as the devoted wife of a poor carpenter. But after entering heaven you have worked countless wonders for humanity, sometimes healing bodies but more frequently curing souls. O Mary, continue to help all Christians!

B

BELGIUM

Prayer to St. Joseph:

How precious to have as a Patron the protector of Jesus and Mary, the Patron of Mother Church, a man most just and charitable who was the head of the Holy Family and who brought up a Child that was God! Ever humble and obedient St. Joseph, intercede for us that like you we may be faithful to our vocation and true servants of the Lord.

BRAZIL

Prayer to the Immaculate Conception:

O Mary, in virtue of Christ's foreseen merits you were conceived completely immaculate. You thus became the new but perfectly obedient Eve, stainless tabernacle of the Most High, and exemplary Mother of God. At Lourdes you revealed immaculateness and at Fatima you exhorted us to pray. Protect us against the evil of godlessness, and remain a Mother and Model for us all.

C

CANADA

Prayer to St. Ann:

Families that are truly Christian love the Family of Nazareth but they also honor the parents of Mary, especially St. Ann who bore and gave birth to her. How glorious to give birth to one who would be the Mother of God! May we who have devotion to you, St. Ann, obtain even more devotion to Mary and the greatest devotion for Christ, your grandson.

CHILE

Prayer to St. James the Greater:

Dear brother of John, who saw our Lord transfigured, after preaching in Palestine and then bringing the Good News to Spain, you became the first Apostle to die as a witness to Christ. Witness of Christ's agony in the garden, teach us to represent Christ in our life, bearing willingly our cross after him and working and praying for God's glory.

COLOMBIA

Prayer to St. Peter Claver:

O most compassionate Saint, member of the Society of Jesus, you chose to go to South America and there as a slave for slaves you became all things for the blacks, another Christ in deed!

Inspire us with your zeal and make us become ever more Christlike, so that we may hear the words that Jesus promised: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

CZECH REPUBLIC

Prayer to St. Wenceslaus:

Model governor of Bohemia, hated by your pagan mother and raised by a saintly grandmother, you vowed to live a celibate life. You had great respect for priests and deep love for the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Indeed, it was while you were praying in God's house that you were slain by your misguided brother. Help all of us, priests, religious, and laity, to lead exemplary Christian lives.

D

DENMARK

Prayer to St. Canute:

Model Catholic King, like Wenceslaus Duke of Bohemia you spread belief in the Savior, and also like him you were slain by those hostile to the Christian Religion while you were praying before an altar. We desperately need civil rulers who are both just and charitable like Christ the King of Kings! Inspire all Presidents and Kings!

E

ENGLAND

Prayer to St. George:

Heroic Catholic soldier and defender of your Faith, you dared to criticize a tyrannical Emperor and were subjected to horrible torture. You could have occupied a high military position but you preferred to die for your Lord. Obtain for us the great grace of heroic Christian courage that should mark soldiers of Christ.

F

FINLAND

Prayer to St. Henry:

Head of the Roman Empire, Confessor of the Catholic Faith and lover of celibacy, you remained truly humble even while holding a lofty post. You thus illustrated how great are the wonders that God's grace can produce in weak human beings when they prayerfully follow the Master! Help us to sanctify ourselves and thus sanctify many others.

FRANCE

Prayer to St. Joan of Arc:

Most extraordinary soldier, you insistently proclaimed: "Let God be served first!" You began by winning many victories and received the plaudits of princes, but then you were given to the enemy and cruelly put to death. Instill in us the desire to serve God first and perform our earthly tasks with that idea ever in our minds.

G

GERMANY

Prayer to St. Boniface:

Dear Winfred, a British Benedictine, you were called Boniface by the Holy Father who sent you to evangelize Germany. Aided by many monks and relying on God's grace obtained through assiduous prayer, you made countless converts. Inbue us with great missionary zeal and help us in our spiritual renewal, O Leader who died for for the Lord.

GREECE

Prayer to St. Nicholas:

Wonder-working follower of Christ, from your early years you practiced fasting and were outstanding in generosity. You quickly distributed to the poor what you had inherited from your parents. Traveling to Palestine, you became a bishop and dared to preach the Gospel for which you were thrown into prison. As "Santa Claus" you are still loved today. Teach us to be generous like you!

H

HOLLAND

Prayer to St. Willibrord:

Saintly Anglo-Saxon Benedictine, you became a typical missionary for Frisia in close relations with the Holy See. You were later ordained Bishop of Utrecht and met with great trials. Missionaries were slain and churches destroyed but you continued your wonderful work. Help us to understand that sufferings form part of the life of any follower of the Crucified Christ.

HUNGARY

Prayer to St. Stephen:

O truly Christian King, you labored long and hard for your people, caring not only for their material prosperity but also for their spiritual well-being. You were attached to fasting, almsgiving, and prayer and you possessed great devotion to the Queen of heaven. Help your people in their present affliction, and teach all Christians to follow your example by laboring to build up this world yet not neglecting to take care of their spiritual side.

I

INDIA

Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption:

O Mary, God's Son became your Son and you in turn became both our Mother and our Queen. From your heavenly throne, intercede for your countless subjects who are daily confronted with life's trials. Help us to find comfort in our recourse to you and to come closer to your Divine Son. May faith in the glorious Savior be spread and trust in you, his compassionate Mother.

IRELAND

Prayer to St. Patrick:

Dear St. Patrick, in your humility you called yourself a sinner, but you became a most successful missionary and prompted countless pagans to follow the Savior. Many of their descendants in turn spread the Good News in numerous foreign lands. Through your powerful intercession with God, obtain the missionaries we need to continue the work you began.

ITALY

Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi:

Dear Saint, once worldly and vain, you became humble and poor for the sake of Jesus and had an extraordinary love for the Crucified, which showed itself in your body by the imprints of Christ's Sacred Wounds.

In our selfish and sensual age, how greatly we need your secret that draws countless men and women to imitate you. Teach us also great love for the poor and unswerving loyalty to the Vicar of Christ.

J

JAPAN

Prayer to St. Peter Baptist:

Dear Franciscan Missionary, you were canonized with 25 other Christians who were slain at Nagasaki after suffering the horrible torture of crucifixion, that was suffered also by Simon Peter.

Let us who are followers of the Crucified Christ take a clear lesson from you. Teach us to accept every cross, everything God sends us or permits us to undergo.

M

MALTA

Prayer to St. Paul:

Apostle of the Nations, you took literally our Lord's words: "Go and teach all nations!" You journeyed over continents and islands, and said: "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!" Help us to realize that the Church is by nature missionary, that all members must help where they can to make Christ know and followed. Enable us to do this by our prayers and by our Christian lives as well.

MEXICO

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

How kind you were, O Mary, to appear to an Indian convert in Mexico, leaving on his cloak as credential a permanent image of yourself. You thereby won many for Christ and naturally became the Patroness of Mexico and the Americas, and especially of the poor. May more and more people through your intercession accept your dear Son as their Lord.

N

NEW ZEALAND

Prayer to Our Lady, Help of Christians:

Among all God's human creatures, who possesses greater power to help humankind than you, O Mary! While on earth you lived in obscurity as the devoted wife of a poor carpenter. But after entering heaven you have worked countless wonders for humanity, sometimes healing bodies but more frequently curing souls. O Mary, continue to help all Christians!

NORWAY

Prayer to St. Olaf:

Dear Norwegian Viking Prince, popular in Northern European countries, after turning Christian you labored hard to uproot paganism in Norway and Greenland. Even those responsible for your death confessed that they had killed a Saint. Through your intercession make Christianity flower once more in Scandinavian peoples.

P

PARAGUAY

Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption:

O Mary, God's Son became your Son and you in turn became both our Mother and our Queen. From your heavenly throne, intercede for your countless subjects who are daily confronted with life's trials. Help us to find comfort in our recourse to you and to come closer to your Divine Son. May faith in the glorious Savior be spread and trust in you, his compassionate Mother.

PERU

Prayer to St. Rose of Lima:

Charming spiritual Rose, sprung up in Middle America, you loved virginity and consecrated yourself to the Divine Bridegroom as a Dominican of the Third Order. During your saintly life you had a wonderful familiarity with Mary and Angels. Make Americans follow faithfully in the footsteps of the Divine Master as you have so wonderfully done.

PHILIPPINES

Prayer to Sacred Heart of Mary:

O Mary, you were consecrated by God to be a temple of the Holy Spirit and a tabernacle of the Divine Son. Blessed among women, you loved God more than is done by Angels and Saints. Teach us to love God above all and make us faithful servants like yourself. May the Philippine people attain ever greater devotion to your Sacred Heart.

POLAND

Prayer to St. Casimir:

Son of a Polish King, combining prayer with mortification and drawing inspiration from Christ's Passion, you remained faithful to a vow of celibacy. You labored to make Ruthenians faithful followers of Christ. Most charitable toward the poor, you became another Francis of Assisi. Continue to inspire Poland in its fidelity to Christ the King.

PORTUGAL

Prayer to the Immaculate Conception:

O Mary, in virtue of Christ's foreseen merits you were conceived completely immaculate. You thus became the new but perfectly obedient Eve, stainless tabernacle of the Most High, and exemplary Mother of God. At Lourdes you revealed immaculateness and at Fatima you exhorted us to pray. Protect us against the evil of godlessness, and remain a Mother and Model for us all.

R

REPUBLIC OF RUSSIA

Prayer to St. Andrew:

Brother of Simon Peter, you heard John the Baptist say: " Behold the Lamb of God," and you chose to follow Jesus. Leaving your nets, you became a successful fisher of souls. Lover of the Crucified Christ, you too were crucified like him. Teach us to live and suffer for him and to win many souls for Christ.

S

SCOTLAND

Prayer to St. Andrew:

Brother of Simon Peter, you heard John the Baptist say: " Behold the Lamb of God," and you chose to follow Jesus. Leaving your nets, you became a successful fisher of souls. Lover of the Crucified Christ, you too were crucified like him. Teach us to live and suffer for him and to win many souls for Christ.

SOUTH AFRICA

Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption:

O Mary, God's Son became your Son and you in turn became both our Mother and our Queen. From your heavenly throne, intercede for your countless subjects who are daily confronted with life's trials. Help us to find comfort in our recourse to you and to come closer to your Divine Son. May faith in the glorious Savior be spread and trust in you, his compassionate Mother.

SPAIN

Prayer to St. James the Greater:

Dear brother of John, who saw our Lord transfigured, after preaching in Palestine and then bringing the Good News to Spain, you became the first Apostle to die as a witness to Christ. Witness of Christ's agony in the garden, teach us to represent Christ in our life, bearing willingly our cross after him and working and praying for God's glory.

SWEDEN

Prayer to St. Bridget:

Faithful wife and mother, you loved to meditate on Christ's Passion which made you wonderfully patient. Like Elizabeth of Hungary, you generously cared for the poor and the sick. You also founded a monastery and became a favorite Saint through the centuries. Help us to be faithful to the vocation that God intended for us.

SWITZERLAND

Prayer to St. Nicholas of Flue:

Saintly head of a large family, you later became a devout hermit. Through your prayerful life of union with God, you were able to restore and preserve peace among people. You see how in our time we are still threatened by wars. Teach us how to pray for and obtain true peace from him who is the Prince of Peace.

U

UNITED STATES

Prayer to the Immaculate Conception:

O Mary, in virtue of Christ's foreseen merits you were conceived completely immaculate. You thus became the new but perfectly obedient Eve, stainless tabernacle of the Most High, and exemplary Mother of God. At Lourdes you revealed immaculateness and at Fatima you exhorted us to pray. Protect us against the evil of godlessness, and remain a Mother and Model for us all.

W

WALES

Prayer to St. David:

Popular Patron of the Welsh, full of missionary zeal, you realized the value of monasteries. You were always prayerful and spiritually joyful, and many churches were dedicated to you in Wales. You teach us to rely more on God's inspiration and grace than on purely human means. Help us to obtain our spiritual renewal.

WEST INDIES

Prayer to St. Gertrude:

Inspiring Nun and genuine Mystic, you wholly consecrated yourself to our Lord whom you loved perfectly. You showed profound respect and gratitude to Jesus present in the Eucharist, and exhibited great courage and consolation founded on your meditation on Christ's Passion. Obtain for us a genuine appreciation of true love and Christian purity in imitation of you.