One misconception, especially among non-Catholics, is that we pray tosaints…. we do not. We pray only to God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. However, we do ask the Saints in heaven to pray and intercede forus, just as we would ask a friend to pray for us.
“When the saints entered into the joy of their Master, they were ‘put in charge of many things.’ Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.” (CCC 2683)
What better intercessors could we have than the Saints in heaven? We can ask them to pray for us and our needs relating to health, occupations, relationships, or anything that is important to us. If you have the opportunity to visit the shrine of a particular Saint it can be a very meaningful experience. You may even find one nearby!
Below are a few shrines dedicated to Saints whose intercession can be invoked for specific needs:
Air Travelers ( Saint Joseph of Cupertino)
Osimo, Italy: Basilica of Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Boys, children’s choirs, falsely accused people and juvenile delinquents (Saint Dominic Savio)
Turin, Italy: Basilica of Maria Ausiliatrice (Our Lady Help of Christians)
Cancer ( Saint Peregrine)
Chicago, Illinois: Assumption Catholic Church & Saint Peregrine Shrine
Indian River, Michigan: St Peregrine Shrine at the Shrine of the Cross in the Woods
Mesa, Arizona Saint Peregrine Shrine
Depression (Saint Dymphna)
Geel, Belgium: Shrine of Saint Dymphna
Massillon, Ohio: National Shrine of Saint Dymphna
Family problems (Saint Rita of Cascia)
Cascia, Italy: Basilica of Saint Rita of Cascia
Philadephia, Pennsylvania: National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia
For children who have left the Church (Saint Monica)
Rome, Italy: Basilica of Saint Augustine
For those with eye problems (Saint Lucy)
Siracusa, Italy: Basilica of Sainta Lucia
Illnesses and ailments that befall children, infants, and the unborn child (St. Philomena)
Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy: Shrine of Saint Philomena
Impossible situations (Saint Jude)
Chicago, Illinois: The National Shrine of Saint Jude
Money Matters (Saint Anthony of Padua)
Padua, Italy: Basilica of Saint Anthony
Mothers, physicians, and unborn children (Saint Gianna Beretta Molla)
Mesero, Italy: Basilica of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: Saint Gianna Shrine
Soldiers (Saint Joan of Arc)
Rouen, France: Shrine of Saint Joan of Arc