My husband and I went to Italy for a trip of a lifetime some years ago. We were in the middle of a journey with infertility and in a place of uncertainty about ever becoming parents. So, we went on this amazing vacation to take advantage of this time without kids. After we toured St Peter’s and the Vatican, my husband wandered into a gift shop just outside the plaza. It was a store selling charms and other mementos of numerous saints. He wanted to find the patron saint for infertility for me. Now, I’m not Catholic and didn’t grow up in a religious tradition that focused on the saints. I wasn’t sure what all this was and what I’d do with a patron saint. I’ve always struggled with the notion that we would need to pray to an intermediary, because I’ve always known God to be accessible to each of us. Yet, this seemed important to my Catholic husband, so I followed along. He asked one of the nuns who ran the shop and she said St Anne would be the appropriate patron saint. She’s the mother of Mary, grandmother of Jesus. My husband purchased a necklace charm of St Anne for me. The charm was instantly special to me because it was a gift and reminder of our time in Rome. Yet, I wanted to find out if it could mean more. I researched St Anne and found that she is the patron saint for the childless, wives, mothers, and pregnant women. I began to think about how many women over the centuries have cried out to her in their distress and found comfort.
Not a good luck charm, but a friend and spiritual guide
So, St Anne became a friend. I wore her on a necklace that I didn’t take off the entire time I was going through fertility treatments and then through my pregnancies. I found I could talk to her about my concerns, my fears, my frustrations, my challenges. I knew she’d heard it all before. Talking to her joined me in kindred spirit with the thousands, millions of other women who also have prayed with St. Anne.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
As I began to talk with her and share my journey with her, St Anne did become a comfort for me. I could simply touch the charm on my necklace and feel comfort. When I was discouraged, feeling that we’d never be parents, I would think of her and how many other women in this same situation had found comfort and strength. When I was scared the in vitro wouldn’t work after all the weeks of shots and discomfort, I would think of her and how many women don’t even get this chance to have a family. When I was pregnant and got nervous the baby wasn’t kicking enough, I thought of her and how women had been praying this same concern to her for hundreds of years. Talking to St Anne didn’t replace my prayers to God, but they gave me someone else to pray with. Someone to be an intercessory for me. It’s not practical to find someone every moment you need that extra prayer power of praying with someone, but I found that a patron saint is someone who’s always available to you.
How might a patron saint encourage your prayers?
What is the biggest thing in your life where you need prayer? Being a mother, selling a house, finding a new job, healing for an illness, a relationship? Find your own patron saint. I’ve read that patron saints tend to find you, but here are some ideas to find one yourself. Maybe you’ll notice the same name keeps popping up and speaking to you.
- Look for a saint who shares your name
- Look for a saint whose memorial is on your birthday, baptism date, or confirmation date
- Look for a saint who is the patron saint for your biggest prayer need or your occupation
- Look for a saint with whom you feel a particular connection
PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Find a patron saint. Look up by your vocation, your greatest prayer need or your birthdate. Learn a little bit about your saint. Who they were, what causes they are a patron saint for, what they did in life to be named a saint. Then think about all the people over time who have found comfort through this particular saint. Consider how praying with this saint may encourage you.
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Resources:
Fun quiz to find your patron saint How to “Choose” a Patron Saint @ The Catholic Company
Like this post? Explore this and other forms of prayer through the Pray Deep prayer journals. Each book will lead you through a variety of prayer methods through 21 days of focused prayers. Get started with one today!
{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.} 
This post is part of the “Pray Deep” series. For more information on the series or to download a complete set of printable prayer cards, click HERE.
Praying With the Saints – Prayer & Possibilities
Not a good luck charm, but a friend and spiritual guide
So, St Anne became a friend. I wore her on a necklace that I didn’t take off the entire time I was going through fertility treatments and then through my pregnancies. I found I could talk to her about my concerns, my fears, my frustrations, my challenges. I knew she’d heard it all before. Talking to her joined me in kindred spirit with the thousands, millions of other women who also have prayed with St. Anne.
As I began to talk with her and share my journey with her, St Anne did become a comfort for me. I could simply touch the charm on my necklace and feel comfort. When I was discouraged, feeling that we’d never be parents, I would think of her and how many other women in this same situation had found comfort and strength. When I was scared the in vitro wouldn’t work after all the weeks of shots and discomfort, I would think of her and how many women don’t even get this chance to have a family. When I was pregnant and got nervous the baby wasn’t kicking enough, I thought of her and how women had been praying this same concern to her for hundreds of years. Talking to St Anne didn’t replace my prayers to God, but they gave me someone else to pray with. Someone to be an intercessory for me. It’s not practical to find someone every moment you need that extra prayer power of praying with someone, but I found that a patron saint is someone who’s always available to you.
How might a patron saint encourage your prayers?
What is the biggest thing in your life where you need prayer? Being a mother, selling a house, finding a new job, healing for an illness, a relationship? Find your own patron saint. I’ve read that patron saints tend to find you, but here are some ideas to find one yourself. Maybe you’ll notice the same name keeps popping up and speaking to you.
PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Find a patron saint. Look up by your vocation, your greatest prayer need or your birthdate. Learn a little bit about your saint. Who they were, what causes they are a patron saint for, what they did in life to be named a saint. Then think about all the people over time who have found comfort through this particular saint. Consider how praying with this saint may encourage you.
Ready to Ignite Your Prayers?
Join our ‘Prayers and Possibilities’ newsletter for weekly encouragement and I’ll send you the “Pray Deep Prayer Cards” as a FREE gift. Ignite your prayer life by exploring over 20 different ways to pray. These prayer cards explain how to pray through a variety of methods, sure to inspire and deepen your prayer experience.
Already on our list? Enter your info below so I know to send it.
Resources:
Fun quiz to find your patron saint How to “Choose” a Patron Saint @ The Catholic Company
Like this post? Explore this and other forms of prayer through the Pray Deep prayer journals. Each book will lead you through a variety of prayer methods through 21 days of focused prayers. Get started with one today!
{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.}
This post is part of the “Pray Deep” series. For more information on the series or to download a complete set of printable prayer cards, click HERE.