Each country has its patron saint: in this article, you will discover all the patron saints of Europe!
Each unto its own, even for saints and countries. Knowing the history of Europe and the countries that make it up, one realises that many of the important changes and passages of European history are linked to certain saints. Many of these during and after their lives helped change not only the Church but also the world – in one of our articles we presented some of these characters.
Europe and its states, throughout history, with the contribution of the popes and the people’s devotion, have been entrusted to the protection of some particular saints. These are the patron saints of Europe as a continent and of some of its member states.
Read more:
The saints that changed the world
The history of Europe and of the Western world as we know them goes through many and constant political….
The patron saints of Europe
Europe as a continent is entrusted to different patrons.St. Benedict of Norcia is one of them, proclaimed patron of Europe by Pope Paul VI in 1964. St. Benedict made a crucial contribution to the development of Europe and many of its countries with the foundation of the Order of St. Benedict.
Here you can find the authentic Saint Benedict crosses made of metal, olive wood and natural or painted wood.
Together with Saint Benedict, among the patron saints of Europe, we find Saint Catherine of Siena, to whom Europe was entrusted in 1999 by Pope John Paul II.
Saint Bridget of Sweden is also one of the patron saints of the European continent. She was also proclaimed co-patroness of Europe in 1999 together with Saint Catherine.
The other patron saints of Europe are Cyril and Methodius, brother evangelists of the Slavic peoples, and Saint Teresa Benedict of the Cross (Edith Stein).
Patron saints of Italy: Saint Francis and Saint Catherine
The patron saints to whom Italy is entrusted are Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine of Siena. They were proclaimed patrons of Italy by Pope Pius XI in 1939. St. Francis was the protagonist of the great change in the Church and the lives of Italians thanks to his choice of service to the Church in poverty. In the historical period when he lived, the Church needed reform to make it more consistent with its teachings and close to the faithful: the vocation of St. Francis and his dedication to Christ brought a great renewal in the life of the Church.
Saint Catherine of Sienawas a prominent woman in medieval society and contributed to the pontiff’s return to Rome after the Avignon captivity. She was summoned by Pope Urban VI, something not taken for granted for a woman at the time, and during her life, she became a recognised prominent position among scholars, politicians and prominent figures of European society.
Thinking of France, one of the first names that come to mind is that of Joan of Arc, the flea of Orleans. Together with Maria SS. Assunta, St. Martin of Tours and St. Therese of Lisieux, she has been the patroness of the French state since the canonization of 1920. Saint Joan of Arc is famous for her feats in war. He helped to recover some of the French terroirs that England had conquered during the Hundred Years’ War and held high the banner of a Catholic state under God’s protection. She was captured by the British, tried, falsely accused of heresy and burned at the stake. The trial was declared null and void in 1456 by Pope Callistus III.
The statue is made of hand painted plaster at Arte Barsanti, an Italian company that boasts more than a century of history.
Patron saints of Germany: Saint Michael the Archangel
One of the patrons of Germany is St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael, the warrior archangel, is a saint to whom many faithful are devoted. In one of our articles, we talked about the Sacred Line of St. Michael the Archangel: a straight line that connects seven shrines dedicated to St. Michael, mysteriously aligned perfectly. Several German churches are dedicated to St. Michael, such as those of Hamburg, Munich and Hildesheim.
Resin statues are lighter and more delicate, so it is advisable to handle them with care.
Patron saints of Poland: Mary Most Holy Queen
Poland has several patron saints: Saint Casimir, Saint Cunegonde Queen, Saint Albert of Prague, Saint Stanislaus Bishop, Saint Stanislaus Kostka, Saint Andrew Bobola and Saint Florian. But the first protector of Poland, the most beloved and beloved figure of the Polish faithful is Mary Most Holy, Queen of Poland. The link between Poland and the figure of Mary is very ancient. Poland is a place where there are many representations of the Virgin, from icons to frescoes. St. John Paul II, the first Polish pope, also distinguished himself in the years of his pontificate by devotion to Mary.
Patron saints of Spain: Saint James
The patron saints of Spain are the Madonna del Pilar, the Immaculate Conception, Saint Teresa of Avila and of course Saint James. In Spanish, the equivalent of James is Santiago. The Camino de Santiago is one of the places that attract more pilgrims from the world to Spain.
Patron saints of Portugal: Saint Anthony of Padua
Portugal is attached to Mary Immaculate, St George, St Gabriel the Archangel, St Francis Borgia and St Anthony of Padua. For the latter, a great feast is celebrated in the Portuguese capital.
The United Kingdom has different patron saints depending on the nation: St. David for Wales, St. Patrick for Northern Ireland, St. Andrew the Apostle and St. Columba for Scotland, Our Lady of Walsingham and St. George for England. St. George is a saint much loved in the English world, although many details of his history are not known. What is known is that he was a knight: he is often depicted on horseback, with a sword or spear, intent on destroying a dragon that represents evil and sin. If you want to know more about St. George and his legendary fight against the dragon, read the article we dedicated to him.
Finally, how can we forget St. Patrick’s Day? Along with St. Bridget of Kildare and St. Columba, St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. In his representations, he is often dressed in green, symbolic colour of Ireland. He was a bishop with a very important role in the catechesis of the Irish: often we remember the analogy of the clover, used to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity, attributed to St. Patrick.
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