Saints Intercession

Facts:

• Born in 250 AD in Cetium (now Austria) 
• He was a member of the Roman army
• Emperor Diocletian was angry at St. Florian for not carrying out his orders to persecute all Christians in the area, and St. Florian was sentenced to death by fire. 
• As the Roman soldiers attempted to light the funeral pyre on fire, St. Florian said “If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames.” Because of this, they drowned him instead. 

Intercessory prayer: 

St. Florian, we pray for your intercession and protection as we face the challenges and dangers of daily life. Protect us from the dangers of fire and water, and from all harm that may come our way.

We ask for your guidance and strength as we strive to serve and protect our communities, just as you devoted your life to serving and protecting the people of your time. Help us to be courageous and selfless in our efforts to help others, and to always put the needs of others before our own.

We also pray for those who are in need of your protection and guidance, especially firefighters and other emergency responders who put themselves in harm’s way to help others. May they be kept safe as they serve, and may they find the strength and courage they need to do their difficult and important work.

We give thanks for your example of bravery and selfless service, and we ask for the grace to follow in your footsteps as we seek to serve and protect those around us. Through your intercession, may we all come to know the love and protection of God.

Amen.

Facts:

• Born in 1347 in Siena, Italy 
• Motivated by a vision of St. Dominic, she entered the Third Order of St. Dominic at age 16. 
• St. Catherine spent several years of solitude in her cell within her family’s home before living a life of service to the poor and sick in Siena. 
• She is considered the patroness of fire protection because her sister saw her deep in prayer in the kitchen, engulfed in flames from the stove. When she was pulled out, there was no evidence of burn marks on her body. 
• She was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970, becoming the only layperson with that title. 

Intercessory prayer:

St Catherine of Siena, thank you for watching over us and protecting us from the dangers of fire. We ask for your intercession to keep our homes, schools, and communities safe from flames and accidents. Help us to be mindful of fire safety rules and to always act responsibly around fire.

Guide firefighters as they risk their lives to save others and give them strength and courage in their noble work. May your light shine upon us, illuminating the path to safety and preventing harm.

St. Catherine, patron saint of fire prevention, we trust in your powerful prayers to keep us safe from harm.

Amen.

Facts:

• Born in the 3rd century
• Dioscorus, her father, was a wealthy pagan who locked St. Barbara in a tower to keep her protected from the outside world.
• St. Barbara revealed to her father that she was a Christian, and Dioscorus wanted her killed. She was tortured, but emerged completely healed the following morning. 
• Dioscorus beheaded her and then he was struck by lightning. Because of this, she is invoked against sudden death as well as against lightning and fire. 

Intercessory prayer:

Saint Barbara, your courage is much stronger than the forces of hurricanes and the power of lightning.

Be always by our side so that we, like you, may face all storms, wars, trials and tribulations with the same fortitude with which you faced yours.

O Beautiful Maiden once imprisoned in a high tower, protect us from the lightning and fire that rages in the sky and the discord of war.

Keep us alert and protect us from the dangers that surround us.

Holy Mary Mother of Jesus intercessor for us all; we pray to assure receiving of the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist at the hour of our death.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Facts:

• Born in 419 AD in Nanterre, France 
• In 451, Attila the Hun invaded Gaul, and the people of Paris were afraid he would invade their city. They prepared to flee, but St. Genevieve persuaded them to avoid the disaster with prayer and fasting. The invaders suddenly changed course away from Paris and the city was saved. 
• Because of this perseverance of faith, St. Genevieve is the patron saint of the city of Paris and disasters.

Intercessory prayer: 

Saint Genevieve, you who by the days before, through penance and prayer, ensured the protection of Paris, intercede near God for us, for our country, and for the devoted Christian hearts. 

You who cured the sick and fed the hungry, obtain the light of God and make us stronger to reject temptation. 

You who had the concern of the poor, protect the sick, the abandoned, and the unemployed. 

You who resisted the armies and encouraged the besieged, give us the direction for truth and justice. 

You, who through the centuries never ceased taking care of your people, help us to keep the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. May your example be an encouragement to always seek God and serve him through our brothers and sisters.

Amen.

Facts:

• St. Jude was one of the twelve Apostles and was a cousin of Jesus Christ. 
• It is believed that, after Jesus’ resurrection, St. Judas preached in the Middle East, mainly Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, Libya, Beruit, and Edessa 
• He was martyred about 65 AD in Beruit with the apostle Simon the Zealot. His body was then taken to Rome and placed in a crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. 
• After his martyrdom, pilgrims came to his grave to pray, and many experienced St. Jude’s powerful intercession. This is how he got the title “The Saint for the Hopeless of the Despaired.” St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernard had visions from God asking each to accept St. Jude as “the Patron of the Impossible.” 

Intercessory prayer: 

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, I place myself into your hands at this difficult time. Help me to know that I am not alone. 

Please pray for me, asking God to send me comfort for my sorrows, bravery for my fears, and healing for my suffering.  Ask our loving God to strengthen my faith and give me the courage to accept His Will for my life. 

Thank you, St. Jude, for the hope you offer to all who believe in you. 

Amen.

Facts:

• The scriptures mention nothing of St. Joseph’s age and previous life. However, one early tradition believes he was an older man and a widower with children from a previous marriage.
• There is not a single recorded word spoken by St. Joseph in the Scriptures, yet his silent presence spoke volumes. 
• St. Joseph moved his family under his own and God’s protection to Egypt when King Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus. He also provided a stable and loving environment for Jesus to grow up. This is why he is the patron saint of families. 
• He is also the patron saint of the Catholic Church, fathers, workers, married people, persons living in exile, the sick and dying, for a holy death.

Intercessory prayer: 

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong, before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.

O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

Amen.

Facts:

• Born in the 7th century, Ireland. 
• Her mother died when she was 14, and her father, a pagan king, attempted to marry the young Dymphna. She refused and fled to Geel on the coast of Belgium with her priest, St. Gerebern. She built a sanctuary for the sick there. 
• The king found her and tried again to coerce her into marriage. When St. Dymphna still refused, the king ordered that both she and St. Gerebern be killed, but the princess could not be harmed. The king then cut off his own daughter’s head, and she died at 15 years old.
• The Church of St. Dymphna in Geel, Belgium holds her preserved body, and because of St. Dymphna’s story, the city has become known as a place of pilgrimage for people seeking relief from nervous or emotional distress. 

Intercessory prayer: 

Almighty and loving Father, by the example of St. Dymphna, Virgin and martyr, and by her intercession protect all those afflicted by tension and emotional stress, to enjoy your protection in life, and eternal happiness in your presence now and forever. Through Christ, our Lord, I ask.

Amen.