6 Patron Saints of Relationships

When difficulties arise, as they often do, many people do what they can, pray to God and, then, they pray for the intercession of patron saints. Since personal relationships are frequently faced with a myriad of problems, people might wonder if there’s a patron saint of relationships. Although there isn’t one saint who’s the patron saint of relationships, there are actually several saints who are patrons of a wide variety of relationships.

For instance, widows who don’t wish to get married again can turn to St. Marguerite d’Youville. In addition to finding help and a safe place to go, women who are in abusive relationships can pray for the intercession of saints such as St. Castora Gabrielli and St. Margaret the Barefooted. People who are in seemingly hopeless relationships might consider praying to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. The list of saints who help people in specific kinds of relationships is a long one.

But there are also saints who assist people in different stages of relationships. People who are single and want to be in relationships can request the help that they need, while those who are already in love and want to get married may pray for a smooth path to the altar. Married couples can pray for intercession to strengthen their marriages. Here are six saints who have been known, through God’s grace, to help people progress to the next levels of relationships and to enrich and bring joy to their current relationships.

Saint Raphael

Shutterstock.com

St. Raphael is an Archangel who stands before the throne of the Lord. One of only three Archangels mentioned in Sacred Scripture, his name means “God has healed.” But his healing powers aren’t limited to ailments. St. Raphael’s mission from God to help a young groom enter into marriage – in which his bride’s previous husbands were killed by a demon on their wedding nights – which is depicted in the Book of Tobit, was mentioned by Pope Benedict XVI during a 2007 celebration of the Memorial of the three Archangels.

He said of the Archangel “He heals their love. He drives out the demons who over and over again exhaust and destroy their love. He purifies the atmosphere between the two and gives them the ability to accept each other for ever.”

Because of that mission and his healing powers, he is the patron saint of travelers, happy meetings and love, as well as other things. Many single people ask St. Raphael to lead them to their future spouses.

Saint Valentine

Wellcome Images

Saint Valentine is a 3rd Century saint whose feast is celebrated on February 14. While there is some confusion as to which of three possible martyrs named Valentine is the saint that is celebrated on that day, it’s known that he was either a priest or a bishop in Terni, Italy, and that his love for God and his faithfulness was all-encompassing. Following Jesus’ teachings closely, he also had a great love for mankind. It’s believed that he committed the crimes of marrying Christians and helping Christians who were being persecuted by Claudius II, the emperor of Rome. Because he wouldn’t renounce his faith and because he tried to convert the emperor, he was sentenced to and suffered a brutal death.

Among other things, he’s known as the patron saint of love, young people, engaged couples and happy marriages. Although people can pray to St. Valentine at any stage in their relationship, he seems to be an ideal saint to turn to for young people in love and engaged couples.

Saint Nicholas of Myra

Wellcome Images

While it’s not unusual for people to think of St. Valentine when they’re hoping to have a happy marriage, they probably don’t even consider seeking the help of Santa Claus. But, believe it or not, he’s also an ideal saint to seek assistance from in matters of the heart. Saint Nicholas of Myra, who was born in the 3rd Century and passed away in the 4th Century in what is now Turkey, is more commonly known as St. Nicholas or Santa Claus.

Born to wealthy parents and raised to be Christian, he became devoted to God at a young age. When his parents passed away in an epidemic, the saint followed Jesus’ teaching to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. He used his inheritance to help the needy and the suffering, and he became a bishop. Known for his generosity, kindness and love, he’s the patron saint of many people and things. They include brides, grooms, unmarried girls and women, newlyweds and happy marriages. In addition to others, he’s also the patron saint of poets and perfumers. He’s quite a romantic saint.

Saint Monica

Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

In regards to their relationship woes, married women and mothers might consider seeking the intercession of Saint Monica. In the 4th Century, the devout Christian was married to an official in Tagaste, North Africa. While he was an angry pagan who was unfaithful to her, and his mother – who lived with them – taunted and lied about the saint, she never stopped praying for their conversion and the conversion of her son, Augustine.

She prayed, wept, sought help and sacrificed, and her prayers were eventually answered. While her husband and his mother converted shortly before his passing, her son converted many years later. Fortunately, she lived to see her son get baptized and live a Christian life. Although she only lived for less than a year after his conversion, her love and tireless devotion helped him to not only be a great Christian, but a great saint as well. She’s the patron saint of wives and mothers.

Saint Adelaide of Burgundy (also known as Saint Alice or Adelaide, Empress)

Kaho Mitsuki/Flickr.com

Widows who have re-married and those who want to get married again might consider seeking the help of St. Adelaide of Burgundy. Born a princess in Burgundy, Italy around 931, her father passed away when she was only six-years-old, and she was married to Lothaire, king of Italy when she was sixteen. Although they had a daughter, St. Adelaide of Burgundy became a widow when the saint was only around eighteen years old.

When Berengarius III, her husband’s enemy, took over the kingdom, he threw her into prison. But after suffering there, she escaped. While she was fleeing to Germany, the devout Christian met Emperor Otho I, who had been leading an army, at the pope’s request, to go save her. He soon became her second husband and eventually took over the kingdom. As empress, she used her power and wealth to help people. After she was widowed a second time, she continued to help people, and she had many religious houses built. The virtuous, kind-hearted saint is the patron saint of second marriages and widows.

Saint Joseph

Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Finally, there’s one saint who all married people can look to for help with their relationships. The kind, diligent saint, chosen to be the faithful, loving spouse of Blessed Mother and the earthly guardian of Jesus, is the patron saint of the universal Church. Additionally, this member of The Holy Family is patron of families, fathers and married people.

During the 2013 Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Pope Francis advised people to call upon Mary and Joseph for help. He said “The proclamation of the Gospel, in fact, first passes through the family to reach the various spheres of daily life. Let us fervently call upon Mary Most Holy, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, and St. Joseph her spouse. Let us ask them to enlighten, comfort and guide every family in the world, so that they may fulfill with dignity and peace the mission which God has entrusted to them.”