The Saint’s Name Generator
Check it out! I used some of my holiday free time to create a little program that will choose a saint’s name at random. (Yes, writing code is how I relax. Yes, I am a hopeless nerd.)
Why would you want to choose a saint’s name at random?
I got the idea from the “saint for the year” devotion, where people have a patron saint for the new year chosen for them at random (usually by a priest or religious, who prays over each choice). I’ve had saints chosen for me this way before, and it’s always been a great experience. E.g. In 2007 St. Maximilian Kolbe was picked as my patron for the year. I wasn’t familiar with him before that, but his life ended up inspiring me tremendously all throughout the year, and I still ask him for prayers for all sorts of matters. He’s become one of my favorite saints.
I thought this might be a fun little tool for anyone else looking to select a saint at random to be a patron for a particular cause or time period. If nothing else, you might get to “meet” some new holy men and women. I had so much fun working on this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
You can check it out here. I’d love to hear which saint you got — leave a comment and let me know!
[UPDATE: I just had the program choose my patron for 2011, and I got Francis de Sales. He has been a huge influence in my life, so I'm excited!]
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I got St. John Bosco. I have recently prayed that Jesus would speak to me in my dreams because I think that is the only place He could speak to me without my own interference. I am fascinated by the fact that St. Joseph was told IN DREAMS when to take baby Jesus to Egypt and then back to Nazareth. Fascinating!
I got St. Thomas á Becket. I always did think he was pretty awesome. Just for fun I did it two more times and got St. John of Capistrano and St. Clare of Assisi.Sweet!
I got St. Hilary of Poitiers. I haven’t heard of him before but he’s the patron saint against snake bites. Which is ironic because snakes are one of the few things I am deathly afraid of.
I just got St. Catherine del Ricci. At first I panicked because she is the patroness of sick people. But then I realized that she fits in perfect with our side business of selling Reliv products since we are meeting a lot of sick people and trying to help them improve their health. She could be a great help to us. Thank you so much for this.
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Darn-I can’t get one:/ It just keeps trying to choose.
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You have to click the button once more. Not sure if you saw that. It took a bit to figure out as well.
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I got St. Martin of Tours–interestingly, not long ago someone gave me a biography of him that I haven’t read yet!
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I got St. Francis of Assissi. This is unbelieveable. I just finished reading his biography. My daughter is a Franciscan sister and is having serious medical problems. I will be asking for his intercession. If it wasn’t for this program I would not have done that. Thank you Jen and God bless you in your pregnancy.
St. Raymond of Penyafort, master general of the Dominican order in 1238. As I’m a Lay Dominican, and he’s one of the Dominican saints I’m not as familiar with, I’m thrilled. But then, your list seems to include a number of obscure Dominican saints. (St. Hyacinth? Really?)
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Saint Paula of Rome, patroness of widows.
Great idea- Patron for the year! I got St. Catherine del Ricci who is new to me so this should be fun. She is the patron saint of sick people and illnesses though- should I worry?
My patron saint is St. John Vianney! How cool is that. He is one of my favorite saints and he is also patron saint of priests and confessors. How interesting it is that we have been praying for this particular seminarian for 5 years and he is going to be ordained this year! WOW! Just amazing. Thanks for doing this on your vacation!
did you write it in perl?
It’s a wonderful idea! I got St. Jerome Emiliani. I’d never heard of him and I’m excited about getting to know this Italian saint.
Like Meganfromsortacrunchy, I am not Catholic, but am coming to appreciate the beauty of Catholicism through your blog and that of The Anchoress. You have both challenged me in my own Christian walk. Although the whole “saints” thing still feels sort of weird to me, I clicked through and got St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (I hope I spelled that right) who was born in Grenoble, France. One of my daughters is spending her first Christmas away from home in Grenoble!! St. Rose was known as “The Lady of Mercy” (NOT one of my spiritual gifts) and “She who always prays”. Certainly an area I’ve felt called to increase over the last year and which needs more focused attention. Interestingly, she was a teacher and I’ve spent over 18 years homeschooling our large family!
I love this! We are expecting our fifth child in a few weeks. The name we have picked if it is a girl is Veronica Rose after St. Veronica and St. Rose of Lima. The saint chosen for me? St. Rose of Lima! I have thought all during my pregnancy that I was having a boy…can’t wait to find out. The boy name we have chosen is Francis William. Thanks for creating this.
I love St. Francis de Sales. I have been using one of his quotes as a meditation during this pregnancy. (Bed rest, lots of issues, etc.)
“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Eternal Father who takes care of you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day of your life. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.”
St. Francis de Sales
Saint Joseph for me! Thank you so much for posting this. I thought I’d missed the patron-saint boat already.
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I received St. Jerome, perfect b/c I am not only a mom, but in grad school as well. I have GOT to get my dissertation done by May and St. Jerome is gonna get a lot of prayers in the process! Thanks for doing this!
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Your saint generator chose St. John Ogilvie for me, a convert (as am I) and a martyr. His great courage should serve as a model for me, and remind me to “be not afraid”.
Your saint generator chose St. John Ogilvie for me – a convert (as am I!) and a martyr. His great courage will remind me to “be not afraid”.
What a great thing you’ve created! I felt like I needed extra help this year, so I picked two. The first is St. Joseph, received after prayer for help with the terrible anxiety, fear of death and doubt that has suddenly assailed me this Advent/Christmas season. The first thing listed for St. Joseph has to do with battling doubt; he’s also known for helping out with death.
I also wanted to learn about a new saint, and so my second saint is St. Anne Line–which is really, really weird. Here’s why: I recently discovered Father Gerard, who was a Jesuit in England right after Henry VIII’s reformation, and have been somewhat obsessed with him. Anne Line was a convert who assisted him and other priests from England. Courage and compassion are my words this year (I can never pick just one!) and my saints are perfect for the journey–thank you, thank you, thank you and God bless!
I got St. Katherine Drexel, which I am thrilled about! For so many reasons she just feels right for this time in my life and things I need to focus on.
http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-katharine-drexel/
I love this! I think you’re awesome to have the talent and know-how to create this and I’m not even Catholic! : )
So I got St. Anthony; this is so perfect on so many levels. My grandfather was named Anthony, my family also hails from Portugal, he is the Patron saint of American Indians (have a daughter named for a native american tribe)and of Mariners (used to work on cruise ships)and I love the story of his incorrupted tongue upon exhumation from preaching the Gospel. I struggle with my tongue so much and that’s the one area of my life I really want to see change in this year. I will pray that St. Anthony helps my tongue to continuously speak life and not death this year. Amen. Thank you Jen!
St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort! How appropriate for a slacker like me who twice has started (and failed to complete) the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Maybe this is my year!
I’ve been a little daunted by the concept of selecting a word or theme for 2011, so maybe a saint is the way to go! I got St. Jerome, and, after getting over a bit of jealousy of your scoring St. Francis de Sales for yourself, I’m ready to embrace him! Let’s see what he’s got for me…
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I got Saint Henry II, patron saint of childless people. I find this amazing as I was childless for many years and, in fact, my two dear children are adopted. I hope to discover more about my saint over the course of the year. Thank you, Jennifer!
Hi, Jennifer,
I think this is the first time I’ve commented, and I’m uber-nerdy enough to be excited to do so! I don’t remember how I came across your blog but I seriously appreciate what you write and have thought about many of your posts.
I see that I’m the first one who had this Saint “selected” for me, so I’m thrilled: St Dymphna, someone with whom I’m not at all familiar!
The best part is, she is patroness of (among other things): Mental Illness (myself and many family members) as well as Mental Asylums/Mental Health Caregivers/Mentally Ill People, Family Happiness (sure need it!), Princesses (a stretch, but my name means ‘princess’!). . . . I’m so excited!
Thank you for this, and all of the other wonderful ways you enrich the lives of others!
- sarah in Canada
St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr! And patron saint of blind people, and I have some vision issues. I will be requesting her intercession this year. Thanks for this little program.
Thanks so much for this! I got St. Gianna Beretta Molla. I have four with one on the way in June.
The biggest challenge to me is THRIVING (not surviving) in family life. What a perfect match! Thanks for writing this! What a great idea. If you do create a button, I’d love to share this on my (lowly) blog. =)
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This was fun. St. John the Baptist has been stalking me lately, so I had already given 2011 to him and the Holy Family (with a chaser of St. Jude), so I was curious to see who would turn up. You can never have too many saints. I got Katherine Drexel, whose feast day is my daughter’s birthday. She’ll be getting a lot of prayers this year!
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While the program was choosing my Saint, I was saying a prayer to give me a Saint to pray to on whether or not I should remarry. I’ve been married twice in the church (both annulled) and after swearing off men for two years, I met a wonderful man in a single’s group at my church.
I opened my eyes to see that St. Valentine of Rome had been chosen as my Saint. I’m still praying to him, but that’s almost my answer I think.
St. Matthias…prayed for a patron to accompany me through my son’s wedding festivities next month. Have lots of anxiety about how I will do everything I need to do. Amazing because he was chosen to be the new 12th apostle after the Resurection…and he is all about the welcome we must give to a new member of a group. I realize my mission is to welcome my new daughter in law, her parents and family into our, until now, small family circle. Needed to hear this right now!
Jen – I saw your post in Twitter. While I have a patron saint for 2011 already, I asked for a patron saint as an intercessor for improved health this year and “St Mary Magdalene” chose me!
Thank again Jen! Karen
Got St. Valentine. And I’m single. HMMMMMMmmmmmm! Maybe 2011 will be very very interesting!
I disagree with the nerd part. I guess in some ways I’m a bit of a nerd too. Certainly was considered one in high school (although the term hadn’t been invented yet). As I said before, I got St. Jude, whom I used to pray faithfully too, stopped, but certainly will start.
St. Augustine of Hippo. Not only am I looking forward to getting to know my husband’s patron saint, but he is the patron saint of brewers. I asked for the saint that would help me with my family — DH is thinking about opening a mini-brewery in Florida. Maybe this means my house will sell soon!
I got St Peter the Apostle …… I’m looking forward to spending the year with him!
Thanks!
Good one.
Got the apostle, James the Greater, who Jesus called (along with John) “Sons of Thunder”, and one of the apostoles who experienced, in the company of Our Lord, The Transfiguration.
I developed inflammatory arthritis last year. James is the partron saint of people with arthritis.
St James, please pray for all of us (not just people with arthritis).
Thank you.
I got Lady of Guadalupe! Interesting, since I plan to attend the March for Life and possibly give my testimony for a second time on the steps of the Supreme Court…:)
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I got St. Rose of Lima. I’m going to start out by reading her biography
St. George for me–guess it’s time to slay some dragons! Thanks for sharing your creation.
I got St. Louis IX. I was a little disappointed at first because I do not know anything about him and I feel that I cannot relate to him right now in my life. My first reaction was to try it again, but I am going to wait it out and see if God has something in store for me. In the meantime, St. Louis, pray for me!
Wow, this really took my breath away after I read my Saint’s story. I had St. Anthony the Abbot chosen for me. I am a busy mom yet I always feel like I am not doing enough in my spare time to live my Faith. This saint didn’t talk the talk rather he walked the walk. This is exactly the reminder I needed. Thanks for doing us all such a great service!
I got St Leo the Great. It made me cry instantly because his feast day is my parents’ anniversary. I lost my Dad last year and my Mom this past November. They both died right within 2 weeks of their anniversary. They were married 64 years. I guess with everything I’m going through, I’m going to lean pretty heavy on this one.
Hi Sue. I’m so so sorry for your losses. My Dad just recently passed on (as you know). I’m happy for him because I know he’s leaping in God’s gardens…he was an avid gardener down here.
However, it’s so hard for me too. Our Faith is an awesome gift to hold on to. Guess what?…You were right here when I needed you, Sue. My Dad is the one I stay up with to toast in the New Year. Keep the Faith, Kim
I got St. Leo the Great as well! I’ll say a prayer for your parents and for you, Sue.
Thank you for your prayers. It means a lot.
I thought I left a comment already, but maybe I messed up the Captcha code. Anyways, I got St. Lucy and immediately rode my bike to the local Catholic book store and got a St. Lucy holy card and a little novena booklet to St. Lucy.
St. Louis IX, King of France. I am looking forward to praying with St. Louis this year. Always intrigued by his goodness as a sovereign and his participation in the Crusades. Thanks, Jen!
I received Leopold III. Oddly, last year I received a French Queen, Jeanne de France and this year a German margrave. Jeanne taught me a great deal about accepting difficult life circumstances, so I am very grateful for example of her life.
After getting Leopold and not seeing what his patronage had to do with me (and being something of a cynic) I decided to hit the button three more times to see what happened. Guess who came up…yes, St. Leopold! So, we’ll have to have some conversations together this year.
God bless, everyone.
I got Pope Saint Damasus, who also had to deal with an Anit-Pope. My husband was just explaining this to me the other day. He also had the bible translated from greek to latin. This is all I know so far. I am interested in what I will learn from him this year.
My patroness is Saint Frances of Rome. What a beautiful blog! Thanks for your marvelous idea! D.v.
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I got St. Joseph. It will be interesting to see how his patronage plays out in my life this year. I’m converting from evangelicalism and am going through RCIA right now.
Thanks for this!
I received St Thomas Aquinas! Wonderful — and what fun. I look forward to learning and growing with him this coming year. Thank you for this sweet little program, Jennifer: Blessings to you and yours.
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I LOVE this Jen! I’ve been wanting to pick a different patron saint each year for our homeschool and now is a perfect time.
So we will begin the year with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. My confirmation name is Elizabeth, which I chose when I was 5 or 6 years old. I met my husband through serving with the St. Vincent de Paul society.
I will be praying fervently for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s intercession regarding in-law problems
thankyou for this, I got St. George.
I hope St. George will find me a knight and shining armour ( I had recently had my heart broken with a guy who I thought would get married too, after 4 years
Saint Philomena, ‘the Living Rosary”, “powerful with God”.
We’ve got oodles of serious stuff in our family going on right now, and she seems to fit the bill for what we need help with.
Thanks!
St. Philomena, ‘powerful with God’. I think I know why.
Then I went back and asked for our daughter and my husband. St. Catherine del Ricci chose my daughter (patron of the sick, and daughter has health challenges). My husband was chosen by St. Barnabas – I’m not sure what to make of that. Thanks for doing this!
Hello!
I’m from Brazil and my chosen patron was St. Andrew Kim Taegon
from Korea. I’m glad to say thar it’s the first time I hear his name, but I’m going to find out what’s about his life and deeds.
I came to your site from The Anchoress. Wish you a holy 2011!!
Maria
Thank you for this wonderful tool. I’ll be working with St. Albert the Great!
I got Blessed Ciara Bodano, the first person to be beatified from the Folkalore movement in Italy. She died at 19 of bone cancer. I thought this was very timely as I was just asked to pray for a friend, Ciara, a woman from Italy who is living in Canada temporarily and will return to Italy to continue her medical studies. She asked for prayers that she will gain admission to the university here to finish her studies. She wishes to live here as her brother was just ordained to the Franciscans of Halifax, a new order which my daughter also joined. So now I am asking Blessed Ciara to intercede for her namesake, Ciara.
Bl. Margaret of Castello was selected for me. I never heard of her, but when I read of whom she was the patron, chills ran down my arms. She is the patron saint for the physically disabled. We are facing a real possiblity that our daughter, who is our fourth child and only 6 mos old, may have a physical disability. Obviously physical disabilities have been on my mind lately. Even if my daughter turns out to be okay, this is a sign (I think) that the disabled need to be more on my radar, so to speak. Thank you!
Jen – I have my whole family over on New Year’s day. This year I’m going to have my nieces and nephews each pick a patron saint for 2011. It will be a nice tradition to start and will give us another chance to pray together and reflect on our faith as a family. Thank you and happy new year!
Jen and Narilyn, What a wonderful idea! A new tradition giving us another chance to learn, pray together and reflect on our faith. Thank you and God Bless!
ooops, Marilyn… typo…
When St.Acca popped out I said “Whaaa????” Then I began to read his story and I am speechless.
He died in 742 and was a bishop in England. He was involved in the building and decorating of churches – a sponsor of liturgical art. Also, his patronage is ‘Learning’ and he is depicted as a bishop in a library.
I have started to sell some of my artwork which is based on Christian themes and biblical passages. I have been praying for a sign from God on whether or not I should continue these endeavors. Also, I have been studying Latin for years and recently started substitute teaching for my Latin teacher. One of my resolutions for 2011 was to really buckle down this year and intensify my studies so I can be a better teacher. And I planned on spending regular sessions in the library.
Amazing.
What a great idea! I got St. Lucy, who I’m anxious to learn more about!
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I got St. Louis IX! Not only is his feast day on my first daughter’s birthday and is the patron saint of a much-beloved great-uncle, he’s also the patron saint of large families (just as I’m feeling overwhelmed with four kiddos six and under plus homeschooling). Awesome!
I hooked up with St. Ezekiel Moreno, whom I had never heard of, it is said he is an Augustinian Recollect known for his simple and open spirit, devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and he strongly defended the rights of the Church. He died of cancer in 1906 and many miracles are attributed to his intercession on the healing of cancers. There’s not a lot of info beyond that, but I am looking forward to getting to know him in 2011! This is a great idea!
Hi Jennifer–I got here via The Anchoress. LOVE the Patron Saint generator. St. Bernard of Clairvaux was chosen for me. He is the patron of beekeepers and candlemakers. I am a mother of 8–our home is like a hive and my husband and I are trying to form our children into candles that will shine the light of Christ to all!! Thanks and Happy New Year. St. Bernard ROCKS!
I’ve always wanted a patron saint for a year like The Anchoress at First Things. But I knew I could never pick one on my own. Too hard to choose. Thank you so much for your saint generator.
I’m excited to have St. Valentine as my patron saint for 2011. For the past 5 years I have been praying specifically for help with my marriage of 18 years so it’ll be good to have St. Valentine on my team.
How fun! Thank you, Jennifer. . . great way to ring in the New Year.
I got Saint Bernard of Menthon and I know nothing about him other than the fact that he’s the patron of Alpinists and Mountain Climbers (which your generator informed me)I’m excited to meet this Saint!
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This is really cool, thanks! (I love the nice effects of the letters changing color while generating.)
My saint is St. Leonard of Port Maurice. I’ve never heard of him before BUT his feast at is November 26. My mom and her mom share that birthday and my great-grandma died on that day, so I have a special affinity for that day. And next month I’ll be involved in some parish mission work, of which he is a patron saint. Awesome. I’ll look for more information and ask for his intercession.
Thanks and happy new year!
I have been wanting to have saint for our blog and I got St. John Neumann. So fitting! I will be back to pick saints for our family, thanks for creating this! Happy New Year!
St John of God! An impulsive nut case?! Seeing a little too much of me in him and a little too little as well. I think he is perfect for me!
I’m not a catholic, but have been feeling a strong pull toward some form of orthodoxy for some time now. I’m also an unmarried mother (I chose not to abort based largely on the guidance of JPII) living in a very poor neighborhood with many disabled/elderly folks in need (I’m the go-to person when it comes to pharmacy/food bank runs). Anyway, I tried your gadget and got Margaret of Castello (the blessed) – patron for outsiders, the diasabled, the discouraged, and the unborn.
Wow.
Right now I am feeling led away from the Protestant church and towards EO or possibly RC. I can’t tell…
I clicked on the link. I said an honest prayer that God show me something – that he give me anything that would let me know that I am moving in a direction that was pleasing to Him. I told Him that I had no idea what on earth a patron saint was even for…
Mine came up Saint Margaret of Hungary. The feast day is my birthday. And her name, Margaret, was my Nana’s name. I loved my Nana more than anyone else, save my parents. She was everything to me, and died when I was 13…
God did that. He just did something in my life, and even though I can not understand just yet exactly what He did, I am so thankful.
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St. Anne Line was chosen for me. I read her biography and couldn’t really find anything that related specifically to me on any level. I then went to Wikipedia and there it was on a sidebar: her feast day was August 30, my birthday! Sweet!
I got St. Vincent dePaul, which is interesting, as I was matched with Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta last year. I think something about ministering to the poor is being not so subtly sent my way.
My older son did a double try b/c he wanted a male. He received St. Guy of somewhere in Belgium (I’ll have to look that one up again), and younger son received OL Guadalupe, which delighted him to no end, as we often read Tomie dePaola’s book about her.
My question: how many saints did you include in the mix? How did you decide?
Thank you very much for doing this. My bag o’ saints, which has a few hundred on little slips of paper, is buried somewhere in my sewing room, and I couldn’t find it.
Such fun! I love your Saints Name Generator! I got Saint Brigid – which is wonderful as I used to live in Ireleand. I know very little about her, so I’m excited to learn more about her this year.
St.Pio of Pietrelcina(padre Pio)…..Patron saint of stress relief,and January Blues…a famous quote of his……Pray,Hope and Don’t worry….In 1947 he heard the confession of a young polish priest..Father Karol Wojtyla…he told him he would someday ascend to the Highest Post in the Church….he became…POPE JOHN PAUL ll….I could go on and on about this Saint and I’ve just began the research !!! Thanks so much!!!!!