Saints related to Patron of Children
8 Patron Saints of Children
The primary Patron Saint of Children is St. Nicholas of Myra. The uncountable churches, shrines and schools throughout the world named after St. Nicholas stand as a testament to the influence and power of his legacy. A real life wonderworker and giver of gifts, his generous spirit and love for youth have led the way to the popular tradition of the gift-giving Santa Claus. However, he alone is not the only patron of children. Numerous other saints have children, students and adolescents under their care. Let’s consider a few of them.
St. Nicholas – Several stories about St. Nicholas show his characteristic selflessness, as well as his devotion to the protection of children. In one he helped a man provide dowries for his three daughters by secretly providing a bag of gold three times, saving the girls from slavery. In another, he raised and makes whole three boys who had been killed and hidden by a wicked innkeeper. [view St. Nicholas Items]
St. Joseph – His role in raising the child Jesus is not clearly spelled out in the Gospels, but much can be inferred to help us understand his role as a patron of children. The Gospel does tell us how he took Mary as his wife even though it was with the Holy Spirit she had conceived. It also tells how he listened to God’s direction to take his family to Egypt to protect them from Herod’s wrath. We can see his influence as a father in the way Jesus was educated in the Torah and was a just man. [view St. Joseph Items]
Other Patrons of Children
St. Raymond – St. Raymond Nonnatus (“not born”) is a patron of the smallest of children, the child in the womb and the child at birth. This patronage arises from the circumstances of his own birth where he was taken from his mother’s womb after her death. [view St. Raymond Items]
St. Aloysius of Gonzaga – Born into a wealthy family in the mid 16th century, St. Aloysius had the opportunity to live a life of privilege and luxury. At a young age he committed his life to God and became a Jesuit priest. While he suffered health issues himself, he happily served in a hospital where he cared for others with grave illnesses. His desire to serve God from a young age is what makes him a patron of young students and Christian youth. [view St. Aloysius Items]
St. Maria Goretti – A faith filled young girl, Maria did her best to help her mother following her father’s death. She often looked after the younger children and helped with a cheerful heart. She suffered martyrdom when she was stabbed to death, seeking to preserve her purity, when a young man sought to force himself on her. She is the patron of teenage girls, among other things. [view Marie Goretti Items]
St. Philomena – A young woman of faith living in the 3rd century, St. Philomena, is another story of a person of devotion to faith and purity encountering lust and cruelty. When she refused the overtures of the Emperor Diocletian he tortured and eventually killed her. As a young woman she is a patron of other young women. [view St. Philomena Items]
St. Albert – Also known as Albert the Great, his tangential patronage of children arises from his connection to education and schooling. A man of immense curiosity he studied and wrote on a wide range of topics including; logic, theology, botany, geography, astronomy, astrology, mineralogy, alchemy, zoology, physiology, phrenology, justice, law, friendship, and love. He is credited with introducing the study of the writings of Aristotle into Dominican schools and among his most notable students was St. Thomas Aquinas. [view St. Albert Items]
Nino de Atocha – Not identified as a particular historical person, the Nino de Atocha or Sacred Child of Atocha is considered to be the Child Jesus in the guise of a 16th century pilgrim. Not so much a patron of children but a child who is a patron. A patron of pilgrims, the sacred child is rooted in the legend of him roaming the land bringing aid to the helpless, during a time when the caliph of Madrid only allowed children under 12 to bring food to prisoners of faith. [view Nino de Atocha Items]
Learn More About the Lives of the Saints who are Patrons of Children
You can learn more about the life stories of each saint by clicking on their tile below.
Nino de Atocha
Devotion to St. Nino de Atocha, or the Sacred Child of Atocha, began in Madrid, Spain with Our Lady of Atocha. Legend has the Child roaming the land bringing help to the helpless. His statues were …
St. Albert
St. Albert was born in what is now Germany and became one of the greatest teachers and theologians during the middle ages. He was a Dominican and a bishop, as well as a scientist, philosopher, and …
St. Aloysius of Gonzaga
Born in Italy in 1568, St. Aloysius renounced aristocratic life to become a simple Jesuit priest. He lived a life of perfect poverty, chastity and obedience and reached a high degree of sanctity, …
St. Joseph
Most people recognize St. Joseph for his role in the Christmas story, as the husband of the Virgin Mary as well as the foster father of Jesus. Because of his blessed death, assisted by the Child J…
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
Most people recognize St. Joseph for his role in the Christmas story, as the husband of the Virgin Mary as well as the foster father of Jesus. Because of his blessed death, assisted by the Child Je…
St. Maria Goretti
St. Maria Goretti was born Oct. 16, 1890 at Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy. She was stabbed repeatedly during a rape attempt when she refused to submit. In the hospital, St. Maria forgave the young man b…
St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God as a priest, and then as a bishop. One of the best known stories of St. Nicholas is one where he saved three girls from slavery by paying their dowry.…
St. Philomena
St. Philomena was a Greek princess in the 3rd century who was martyred at a young age. She refused Emperor Diocletian and was subject to torture. She was eventually decapitated. Her tomb was discov…
St. Raymond
St. Raymond was delivered by Caesarian in 1204. His mother died during the birth. St. Raymond joined the Order of Mercy and, following St. Peter Nolasco in Barcelona, was their chief ransomer for C…
