Patron Saint of France (national Patroness, by Vow of Louis XIII, 1638)

Category: Countries & Regions

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 "France (national Patroness, by Vow of Louis XIII, 1638)" 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 France (national Patroness, by Vow of Louis XIII, 1638)

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

Primary Patron
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast Day
August 15

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is invoked as patron of France (national patroness, by vow of Louis XIII, 1638). The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the dogma, defined by Pope Pius XII in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus on November 1, 1950, that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. The dogma is a defined truth of Catholic faith, and the proximate definition reads: We pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory (Munificentissimus Deus 44).The feast itself is among the oldest of Marian celebrations. Sources: https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-xii_apc_19501101_munificentissimus-deus.html.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the patron saint of france (national patroness, by vow of louis xiii, 1638)?

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the primary patron saint of france (national patroness, by vow of louis xiii, 1638). Their feast day is August 15.

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 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession?

To ask for a patron saint's intercession, Catholics typically pray directly to the saint, saying something like: "The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 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.