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 "In-law Problems" 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.
Formally proclaimed patronage — sourced from canonized saints in the Roman Calendar.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is invoked as patron of in-law problems. Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born August 28, 1774, in New York City to Dr. Richard Bayley, a prominent Anglican physician, and Catherine Charlton. Sources: https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/homilies/1975/documents/hf_p-vi_hom_19750914.html.
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal is invoked as patron of in-law problems. Saint Jane Frances Fremiot was born at Dijon on January 28, 1572, second daughter of Benigne Fremiot, the President of the Burgundian Parlement. After a careful Catholic upbringing, in 1592 she married Baron Christophe de Rabutin-Chantal, a young nobleman, and from this marriage of profound mutual affection she bore six children, of whom four survived infancy. Sources: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20101013.html.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is the primary patron saint of in-law problems. Their feast day is January 4.
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.
To ask for a patron saint's intercession, Catholics typically pray directly to the saint, saying something like: "Elizabeth Ann Seton, 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.