Patron Saint of Charitable Societies

Category: Other

In Catholic tradition, patron saints are holy men and women whose lives and intercession are considered especially suited to particular needs, groups, or situations. The Church's practice of invoking saints reflects the doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the faithful departed remain united with the living in the one Body of Christ and can intercede before God on our behalf.

The designation of a patron saint for "Charitable Societies" reflects centuries of Catholic popular devotion and, in many cases, formal proclamations by popes or bishops recognizing a saint's particular connection to this intention through the circumstances of their life, death, or documented miracles.

Patron Saint of Charitable Societies

Formally proclaimed patronage — sourced from canonized saints in the Roman Calendar.

Primary Patron
Saint Vincent de Paul

Feast Day
September 27

Saint Vincent de Paul is invoked as patron of charitable societies. Vincent de Paul was born to a peasant family in Gascony in 1581, ordained priest in 1600, and according to a tradition he himself fostered, briefly enslaved by Barbary corsairs at Tunis from 1605 to 1607. After spiritual formation under the future Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle in Paris, he served as tutor in the noble family of Philippe-Emmanuel de Gondi, general of the galleys.From this providential position he discovered both the spiritual destitution of rural peasants and the hellish conditions of those condemned to the royal galleys. Sources: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1987/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19870914_vincenzo-paoli.html.

Read full biography of Saint Vincent de Paul →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the patron saint of charitable societies?

Saint Vincent de Paul is the primary patron saint of charitable societies. Their feast day is September 27.

What is a patron saint?

A patron saint is a holy man or woman canonized by the Church whose life and heavenly intercession are considered especially powerful for particular needs, groups, or situations. Catholics ask patron saints to intercede — to pray to God on their behalf — drawing on the doctrine of the Communion of Saints.

How do I ask for Vincent de Paul's intercession?

To ask for a patron saint's intercession, Catholics typically pray directly to the saint, saying something like: "Vincent de Paul, pray for us." You may also light a candle, attend Mass on their feast day, or make a novena — nine days of consecutive prayer — asking for their help before a particular need.