For centuries, we have called upon our patron saints knowing that they will be our advocates and provide us strength. The exemplary lives of the saints serve as examples to us. Having a special saint to call on for each of our needs gives us hope, encouragement and protection. Our handmade porcelain portraits help to keep your patron saint close to you.
   These pieces were illustrated by Monica Wyrick.
   Each piece is composed of  fine grained, translucent porcelain clay.  The intricate designs consist of slip glazes fired into the porcelain, then each piece is finished to a satin touch. They are approximate 1 3/8 by 7/8 inch.  Each oval pendants has with a 32 inch black rayon cord and is individually packaged in a velvet-like box with a card describing the symbolism of the design (click on image).

Mary, Mother of God Queen of saints Mary was born the only child of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim.  As a young girl, she entered the Temple and took a vow of virginity.  Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel who told her that she would become the Mother of Jesus.  She trusted God, married  Joseph and gave birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.  She was a loving mother and was with Jesus at the foot of the cross.  Mary has appeared to thousands of people all over the world.  The feast of her Assumption into heaven is celebrated on August 15th.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Patron of the America’s In 1531, Juan Diego was hurrying to mass in Mexico City when the Blessed Virgin, calling herself “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, appeared to him. She instructed him to build a temple where she stood. The Bishop, not believing Juan, told him that he needed a sign. The Blessed Virgin instructed Juan to gather roses and take them to the Bishop. Juan did, and upon opening his cloak to release the roses, the image of Our Lady appeared inside the cloak just as Juan had described her. The shrine built there has been a pilgrimage sight ever since.
Saint Andrew - (died 1st century) Patron of Scotland, Russia and fishermen As an apostle of Jesus, St. Andrew spread his word throughout Asia Minor and Greece and was eventually crucified on a diagonally shaped (saltire) cross. Some of St. Andrew's remains were brought to Scotland for safekeeping. King Angus of Scotland prayed to St. Andrew for help during a battle. A white cloud appeared in the sky in the form of a saltire cross. When Angus won the battle, he declared St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland.
Saint Anne - (died circa 1st century) Patron of mothers, grandparents, childless people, and Canada For many years Anne of Nazareth and her husband Joachim could not have children.  They prayed that God would bless them with a child and promised that if he did, they would dedicate their child to the service of God.  God did grant them one child, Mary.  Mary was raised by Anne and Joachim to be virtuous and kind and went on to accept a call from heaven and become the Mother of Jesus.
Saint Anthony - (circa 1195-1231) Patron of lost objects, things that are hoped for and the poor Saint Anthony left his wealthy family in Portugal to become a poor Franciscan priest. He shipwrecked on his way to evangelize and joined other brothers living in a cave in San Paolo near a monastery. There, he became a legendary speaker, attracting crowds wherever he went. Legend says that even fish would gather to hear him speak. St. Anthony is one of the most beloved of all saints.
Saint Bernadette of Lourdes - (circa 1844-1879) Patron of the poor and protector from illnessrs Bernadette was born to a poor family in Lourdes, France.  She was always in poor health, but was hired as a shepherdess at the age of 14.  While walking in the woods, she received a vision of the Virgin Mary.  Bernadette was visited by Mary 17 more times.  Mary told Bernadette to dig in the mud near the mouth of a cave and a spring of water arose in that spot.  Mary said that the waters had healing powers when used with great faith.  Many miracles happen when people use this water.  The Catholic Church has recognized the sacred spring Lourdes as a holy place.
Saint Brendan - (circa 460-577) Patron of sailors and mariners St. Brendan the Navigator was born in Ireland. He founded the well known Clonfort Monastery and is believed to have traveled throughout Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and Wales spreading the word of God. He is largely known for the tales of his travels found in the medieval manuscript “Voyage of Saint Brendan” in which he and a group of monks traveled the seas, some say even to the America’s!
Saint Brigid - (circa 453-523) Patron of Ireland and babies St. Brigid was born to an Irish Chieftain. She always had a charitable nature and so became the first Irish nun, starting convents throughout Ireland. Her wish was to relieve the hardships of the poor. She is known for the simple cross which she is believed to have woven for a dying pagan chieftain to illustrate the Christian faith. St. Brigid’s cross is commonly hung in Irish homes to bless them.
Saint Cecilia - (died circa 117) Patron of Musicians, singers and poets Cecilia was born to an important family in Rome. She is said to have been fond of singing divine praises accompanied by her gold harp. Cecilia promised her virginity to God, but her parents promised her hand in marriage to a wealthy man. While the music of her wedding played, Cecilia was “singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse.” She succeeded in converting her husband and both of them were martyred for their beliefs.
Saint Christopher - (died circa 251) Patron of travelers St. Christopher was a powerful man who had the job of carrying travelers across a river. When a small child asked to be carried, Christopher lifted him onto his shoulders. With each step the child became heavier until Christopher thought he might drop the child, but he struggled to the other side. It was then revealed that the child Christopher carried was the Christ Child carrying the weight of the sins of the world.
Saint Clare - (circa 1194-1253) Founder of the Poor Clares, Patron of eye disease St. Clare was the first female follower of St. Francis of Assisi. She embraced the Franciscan ideal of poverty and founded the Order of the Poor Ladies which became known as the Poor Clares. This organization is still active throughout the world today. Clare was humble, charming and courageous. Once, when her convent was under attack by the Saracens, Clare stood at the gates holding up the blessed sacrament. The attackers were overcome with fear and fled.
Saint David - (circa 542-601) Patron of Wales St. David, also known as Dewi, was born in Wales. As a monk, he founded many monasteries throughout Wales. According to legend, David was preaching to a great crowd in Jerusalem when a dove perched on his shoulder to show that David was blessed by the spirit. The earth then rose underneath David to lift him up high so that all present could hear him speak. His feast day, March 1st is celebrated by wearing a Welsh leek leaf or flower.
Saint Dominic de Guzman - (circa 1170-1221) Patron of scientists and astronomers, and founder of the Dominican Order Dominic was born in Spain to wealthy parents.  Before he was born, his mother had a vision of her son as a dog with a torch in his mouth that would set the world on fire.  This would become the symbol of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans), which he later founded.  He and the Dominican friars lived a simple life and fought against heretics.  When Dominic became discouraged with his mission, he had a vision of Our Lady who told him to pray the rosary daily and teach it to all.
Saint Dymphna - (circa 7th century) Patron of mental health professionals and epileptics; protector of emotional and neurological disorders Dymphna was the daughter of Damon, a chieftain in Ireland.  Her mother died when Dymphna was 14 and this tragic loss drove her father to insanity.  In an effort to replace his wife, he decided to marry his beautiful daughter.  Dymphna fled with St. Gerbernus, an elderly priest.  They settled in Belgium where Dymphna became known for her devotion to the poor.  Damon and his soldiers found them, and when Dymphna still refused to marry him he beheaded her with his sword.
Saint Fiacre - (died circa 670) Patron of gardeners, florists and cab drivers St. Fiacre developed a special skill for gardening while being raised in a monastery in Ireland. Soon after he was ordained, Fiacre moved to France where Bishop Faro granted him a large lot of land to garden. He grew a beautiful variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs. With the herbs and his healing hands, Fiacre was able to cure all manner of disease. The Bishop declared Fiacre’s garden to be a miracle and it became a pilgrimage site for those seeking healing.
Saint Florian - (died circa 304) Patron of firefighters, Poland, and Austria; protector from floods Florian was an officer in the Roman army in Austria.  He was well known for his bravery and is said to have stopped a town from burning by saying a prayer and throwing a single bucket of water on it.  When ordered to execute a group of Christians, Florian refused and proclaimed that he was a Christian also.   He was sentenced to be burned to death. He stated he would climb to heaven on the flames.  Instead, Florian was then thrown in a river with a stone around his neck to be drowned.
Saint Francis of Assisi - (circa 1181-1226) Patron of animals, the environment and Italy St. Francis was born in Italy. He was a wealthy man but was always sympathetic to the poor. St Francis believed that he was told by God to rebuild the Catholic Church. He did this by founding the order of the Franciscan brothers and nuns based on a foundation of merciful works, helping the poor and respect and love for all of God’s creations. Legend says that Francis was able to speak to the animals, thus his patronage of animals.
Saint George - (died circa 304) Patron of Greece, England, equestrians, boy scouts and soldiers St. George, a Christian born in Israel fought bravely for the Roman army until the Emperor began to persecute Christians. George left to join the Army of Christ. He was tortured and beheaded, but inspired many conversions. The most famous story of St. George is when he saved a village in Libya from a ferocious dragon that was devouring their sheep and children. George killed the dragon and the King rewarded George with many riches which he immediately gave to the poor.
Saint Gerard - (circa 1725-1755) Patron of motherhood, pregnant women and childbirth Born in Italy, Gerard’s father died when he was only 12, leaving the family in poverty. He became a Monk, dedicating his life to the needy. Gerard possessed an extraordinary wisdom and was said to have powers of prophecy and healing. Throughout his short life, he performed many miracles and seemed to have special powers to help mothers in need. Prayers to St. Gerard have helped so many women in labor, that he is known as the “patron saint of happy deliveries”.
Saint John Baptist de LaSalle - (circa 1651-1719) Patron of school teachers and principals John Baptist de LaSalle was born in Rheims France.  He believed that all children, rich and poor, deserved a good education.  He also recognized that a good education depended on good teachers.  St. John founded the Brothers of the Christians Schools to provide teachers for the poor.  He began the first teachers’ college and was the first to divide students into grades.  He also introduced the blackboard and the study of literature and mathematics.  He gave his sizeable family fortune to the poor during the great famine of 1683.
Saint John the Apostle - (died circa 101) Patron of writers and editors John was one of Jesus’ original disciples.  He traveled everywhere with Jesus and was known as the beloved disciple.  He is the only one of the twelve not to forsake Jesus during his death on the cross.  He stood at the foot of the cross and was made guardian of Mary, Mother of God.  He wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles and the Book of the Apocalypse.  Many miracles surround John.  For instance, once he was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil but stepped out unharmed.  He survived all of the other disciples.
Saint Joseph - (died 1st century) Patron of fathers, carpenters, those who fight for social justice and of those who battle with doubt Everything we know about St. Joseph comes from scripture. He was a descendant of King David of Israel. He was a hard working carpenter. Joseph was a compassionate and caring man who was often visited by angels. Angels told him the truth about the child that Mary was carrying and Joseph married her without question. He was a loving and devoted foster father to Jesus. He is noted for his unquestioning willingness to always do whatever God asked of him.
Saint Jude - (died 1st century) Patron of lost or impossible causes and hospitals Saint Jude (a.k.a.Thaddaeus) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the brother of St. James and St. Simon and the cousin of Jesus. He is usually pictured with a flame above his head to represent his presence at Penecost. He preached the gospel in Africa, the Middle East and into Asia, where he was martyred. His patronage of lost or impossible causes is due to a letter he wrote in the New Testament which stresses that the faithful should persevere, even under desperate circumstances.
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha - (circa 1656-1680) Patron of the environment and people who have lost their parents Kateri Tekakwitha was the daughter of a Mohawk.  She was orphaned at the age of four by a smallpox epidemic which also left her scarred.  Missionaries visited her village when she was 11 and she heard them talk about Jesus.  So moved by their visit, she traveled through 200 miles of wilderness to find the Christian Native American village of Sault-Sainte-Marie.  There, she became a devoted Christian and provided care for the aged and sick.  She is known as “the lily of the Mohawk.”
Saint Luke - (died circa 74) Patron of artists, physicians, and surgeons Luke was born to a pagan family in Greece and was possibly a slave.  He was one of the earliest converts to Christianity.  He became a physician and probably traveled as a ship’s doctor.  Legend has it that he was also a painter and painted portraits of Jesus and Mary, but none have ever been found.  He befriended Saint Paul and evangelized Greece and Rome with him.  He wrote the Gospel According to Luke and a history of the early church in the Acts of the Apostles.
Saint Margaret of Scotland - (circa 1045-1093) Patron of widows, parents of large families, and Scotland Margaret was born in Hungary, the granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England.  Her family was exiled due to the invasion.  While fleeing the invading Army of William the Conqueror, her family’s ship wrecked on the coast of Scotland.  King Malcolm III of Scotland assisted Margaret’s family.  Margaret later married King Malcolm III and had eight children with him.  Margaret founded Abbeys throughout Scotland and always used her position as Queen to work for justice and to help the poor.
Saint Maria Goretti - (circa 1890-1902) Patron of girls, crime victims, and parents who have lost a child Maria was a beautiful farm girl in Italy, who died at the age of 12.  She was attacked by a farm hand who tried to rape her.  Maria yelled that it was a sin, but he tried to choke her into submission and stabbed her 14 times.  Maria lived for two days, forgave her attacker and then died holding a crucifix and a medal of Our Lady.  While in prison, her attacker had a vision of Maria as a young girl in white surrounded by lilies.  When he awoke, he was truly sorry for his crime and devoted the rest of his life to God.
Saint Martin de Porres - (circa 1579-1639) Patron of African Americans and of racial harmony Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru as the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed black slave.  At the age of 11, he became a servant in a Dominican Abbey.   He became known for his tender care of the sick and for his spectacular cures.  The Abbot dropped the stipulation that no black person may be received to the order, and Martin took his vows as a Dominican brother.  He established an orphanage and children’s hospital for the poor children of the slums.
Saint Michael Patron of police, soldiers and all protectors St. Michael is one of three archangels who is believed to be closest to God. Devotion to Michael is common to Christians, Muslims and Jews. He is traditionally pictured with the Latin, “Quis ut Deus”, meaning “who is like God” on his chest. As a warrior, Michael led the battle against the angels who rejected God to follow the fallen Lucifer. The knights of the Middle Ages invoked St. Michael as their patron.
Saint Patrick - (circa 387-461) Patron of Ireland St. Patrick was the son of a prominent Roman family in Scotland. At the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland. After years as a slave, Patrick escaped only to return to Ireland. He traveled across the country for the next 30 years preaching and baptizing the Irish people. St. Patrick used the three leaves and single stem of Ireland’s shamrock flower to explain the Holy Trinity. Legend is that St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland!
Saint Peregrine - (circa 1260-1345) Patron of cancer patients and sick people Born to an anti-catholic family, St. Peregrine was converted as a youth. He joined the Servants of Mary and became a powerful preacher of the gospel. An open sore on his leg was diagnosed as cancer and he was to have the leg removed. The night before his surgery, Peregrine prayed before the crucifix. He had a vision of Christ reaching from the cross and touching his leg. In the morning his leg was completely healed. Peregrine continued his good works for 25 years after he was healed.
Saint Roch - (circa 1295-1327) Patron of dogs, dog lovers, and invalids Roch was born a French noble, but early on he developed a strong sympathy for the poor.  At the age of 20, he gave his fortune to the poor and left on a pilgrimage.  He came across a town afflicted by the plague.  He stayed to help the sick and miraculously cured several people, but then got the disease himself.  He went into a forest to die, but a stray dog fed him food stolen from his master’s table and Roch recovered.  Roch was arrested but never mentioned his nobility.  He died after five years in prison.
Saint Sebastian - (died circa 288) Patron of athletes and soldiers Saint Sebastian was a favorite officer in the Imperial Roman Army. During the persecution of Christian’s, Sebastian helped, healed and comforted the Christians in prison. He converted many soldiers. As punishment for his faith he was tied to a tree, shot with arrows and left for dead. But he survived and returned to preach again. He was then beaten to death. He is associated with athletes because of his physical and mental strength and endurance.
Saint Therese - (circa 1873-1897) Patron of Missionaries, flower growers and AIDS patients Born in France, St Therese became a Carmelite nun at the age of 15. Because of her faith and simplicity she is known as the “Little Flower”. She pioneered the ideal of the “little way”, fidelity in the small thing and complete trust in God. Before she died at the early age of 24, she told her friends to pray to her and she would answer them with a shower of roses. Many people believe that after you pray to St. Therese you will see or smell roses.
Saint Thomas Aquinas - (circa 1225-1274) Patron of students, learning, and Catholic schools Thomas was born in Naples, Italy.  At the age of five he was sent to learn from the Benedictine monks.  He was a diligent student and devoted to prayer.  He studied at the major universities of Europe.  Thomas was loved for his kindness and willingness to share his knowledge.  He was one of the greatest scholars the church has ever known.  His Summa Theologica combines the wisdom of the ancient world with the message of Christianity in a way that even unlearned people understand.
Saint Vincent de Paul - (circa 1581-1660) Patron of volunteers, charities, and hospital workers As a boy in France, Vincent de Paul started his lifetime of good works, often sharing his food with the poor.  He became a priest and was captured by pirates, but later released after he converted them.  He returned to Paris and walked the streets of Paris each night rescuing infants and children whom were left to die.  He opened hospitals and homes for orphans and old people.  In 1833, the St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded as a worldwide organization to give moral and material aid to the poor.