Patron Saint of Families

Category: Family & States of Life

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 "Families" 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 Saints of Families

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

Primary Patron
Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe

Feast Day
August 14

Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe is invoked as patron of families. Saint Maximilian Kolbe was born Raymund Kolbe at Zdunska Wola in Russian-controlled Poland on January 8, 1894, the second of five sons of a poor weaver family. As a boy he received a vision in which the Blessed Virgin Mary offered him two crowns, one white for purity and one red for martyrdom; he later said he chose both. Sources: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1982/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19821010_canonizzazione-kolbe.html.

Read full biography of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe →

Saint John Paul II

Feast Day
October 22

Saint John Paul II is invoked as patron of families. Karol Józef Wojtyła was born at Wadowice in southern Poland on 18 May 1920. The death of his mother (1929), brother (1932), and father (1941), the German occupation of Poland and the Nazi closing of the universities all marked his youth. Sources: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1978/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19781022_inizio-pontificato.html.

Read full biography of Saint John Paul II →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the patron saint of families?

Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe is the primary patron saint of families. Their feast day is August 14.

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 Maximilian Mary Kolbe's intercession?

To ask for a patron saint's intercession, Catholics typically pray directly to the saint, saying something like: "Maximilian Mary Kolbe, 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.