Patron saints for students

One popular saintly friend is Blessed Carlos Acutis, the first Millennial on the path to sainthood. Born in London and raised in Milan, Acutis was tech savvy, defended bullied kids, loved soccer, avidly played video games and was devoted to his Catholic faith. 

One of his best-known projects was designing a webpage listing eucharistic miracles around the world. He was beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis. He was 15-years-old when he died of Leukemia in 2006.  

Another who tops the list is St. Thomas Aquinas, patron saint of students and universities. A well-known theologian and doctor of the church, he is also called the “angelic doctor” because of his purity of heart and voluminous writings about angels.  He is also the patron saint of pencil makers.

Students braving their early years of school have a good friend in St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Catechizing poor children by the time he was 11-years-old, St. Aloysius is the patron saint of young students. 

Likewise, if students are new to a school or are looking to make friends, they can call upon St. John the Apostle, the patron saint of friendship. St. John the Apostle was the one to whom Jesus entrusted the Blessed Mother as they stood at the foot of his cross at Jesus’ crucifixion.

Students looking to join the debate team can ask for St. Catherine of Alexandria’s intercession. Tradition states she was born in 287 to a noble family and was an avid scholar. She denounced Emperor Maxentius when he persecuted Christians. 

He, in turn, demanded that she defend the faith by debating with 50 orators and philosophers. Her words inspired several pagans to convert to Christianity. 

Infuriated, the emperor sentenced her to a tortuous death by a breaking wheel. It is said when she touched the wheel, it shattered. The emperor then had her beheaded. She is the patron saint of students, teachers and librarians.

Students needing inspiration to get a paper or project done can call on St. Expeditus, the patron saint of procrastinators. According to tradition, when St. Expeditus decided that he wanted to convert to Christianity, the devil appeared to him in the form of a crow and asked him to “put it off until tomorrow.” 

St. Expeditus refused and said he would become a Christian that day. He is depicted in a Roman Centurion outfit holding a palm leaf in his left hand and raising a cross in his right hand. His left foot is stepping on a crow. He was martyred for his faith.

When struck with a case of writer’s block, count on St. Frances de Sales, the patron saint of writing and writing students, to clear the path. He wrote many pamphlets and carried on vast correspondences with the faithful. He had a gentle demeanor in speaking and with the pen, winning many over with his axiom, “A teaspoon of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”

Those who are nervous about an upcoming exam can take a deep breath and call on St. Joseph of Cupertino, patron saint of test takers. St. Joseph had a hard time with his studies while in a Franciscan seminary but the Holy Spirit provided him the “right answers” when quizzed to finish seminary.

Those who need help in science class or help with an experiment in the chemistry lab can partner up with St. Albert the Great, patron saint of science students. A doctor of the church, St. Albert’s boundless interests prompted him to write a compendium of all knowledge: natural science, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, ethics, economics, politics and metaphysics. St. Thomas Aquinas was one of his most famous students.

There’s also a patron saint of many students’ favorite resources: technology. St. Isidore of Seville was a prolific writer and diligent in governing the church. Crowds came from all over to listen to him when he offered his final works of mercy. For this reason, he is the patron saint of technology, computers and the internet. 

So good luck students! Say a prayer and look to your heavenly friends to point the way to a year filled with achievements as well as happiness and holiness.