Who are the patron saints of sailors?
Sailors, fishermen, and seafarers have powerful intercessors in Heaven. Let’s find out who they are, why we should pray to them, and when to do so. With confidence, we can entrust to them all the sailors we know and love.
The Patron Saint of Sailors
The patron saint of sailors is Saint Erasmus of Formia, also known as Elme. This third-century saint was bishop of the city of Formia (in Italy) and died as a Christian martyr after enduring excruciating torture for converting a large number of pagans to Christianity during the persecutions led by the Roman emperor Diocletian.
He became the patron saint of sailors because he is said to have continued preaching the Good News even after a bolt of lightning struck the ground beside him. This inspired sailors, who feared storms at sea, to pray fervently to him in such circumstances.
Lightning strikes on the tops of ship masts were subsequently seen as a sign of Saint Erasmus’s protection and were therefore called “Saint Elmo’s fires.”
Saint Erasmus is celebrated on June 2.
The mother of the Virgin Mary, Saint Anne, is also considered the patron saint, or protector, of sailors. She is particularly venerated in Brittany and celebrated on July 26 along with Saint Joachim, her husband. Many churches and chapels in the region are dedicated to her, and numerous stained-glass windows depict her coming to the aid of sailors.
The Patron Saints of Fishermen
Saint Peter and Saint Paul are considered the patron saints of fishermen. Celebrated on June 29, they are prayedto for bountiful catches and for protection against bad weather and all kinds of accidents related to fishing.
A Breton saint is also considered the patron saint of fishermen: Saint Kémo (or Quemeau), founder of the monastery of Locquémeau (or Lokémo) in the 6th century, after evangelizing the village of the same name. His feast day is March 13.
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the patron saint of sailors, boatmen, fishermen, travelers, and pilgrims. This patronage stems from a miracle that occurred through his intercession during a violent storm: two sailors were in distress and prayed fervently to him. Saint Nicholas is said to have then appeared and guided the boat to safety, all the way to the port of Myra.
The patron saint of fishermen’s wives
Saint Guénolé is invoked for the safety of sailors and is the patron saint of the wives of fishermen. This patronage stems from the fact that, as a child, he calmed a violent storm at sea with a simple sign of the cross. He is celebrated on March 3.
The patron saint of Breton sailors
The patron saint of Breton sailors and fishermen is the famous Saint Malo. Born in the 6th century, Malo was a monk who evangelized all of Brittany and Great Britain. His relics rest in the cathedral of the city that bears his name. The Breton saint and bishop is celebrated on November 15.
Pray for sailors with Hozana!
Pray with the patron saints of sailors!
- Take part in this to reflect on your faith.
- through this beautiful novena and surrender yourself to the love of the patron saint of sailors!
