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Patron Saint of Urgent Causes

Category: Spiritual Life & Devotion

St. Expeditus is the patron saint of urgent causes. His very name suggested promptness, and a popular legend depicts him crushing a crow that croaked cras (“tomorrow”) while he proclaimed hodie (“today”) — making him the saint invoked against delay and procrastination and for matters that admit no postponement.

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 “Urgent Causes” reflects centuries of Catholic popular devotion and, in many cases, formal recognition by popes or bishops.

Patron Saint of Urgent Causes

Popularly invoked patronage — widely recognized in Catholic tradition.

Primary Patron
Saint Expeditus
Feast Day
April 19

Saint Expeditus is invoked as patron of urgent causes. He is traditionally venerated as a Roman soldier — said to have been a centurion of the Legio XII Fulminata stationed at Melitene in Armenia — who was martyred for the faith about the year 303 during the persecution of Diocletian; his feast is observed on April 19. A widely repeated legend, inspired by his name, tells that at the moment of his conversion the devil appeared as a crow croaking cras (“tomorrow”), urging delay, whereupon Expeditus crushed the bird underfoot and cried hodie (“today”); he is therefore depicted in Roman military dress holding a cross marked Hodie and standing upon a crow marked Cras. From this he became the popular patron of those seeking a prompt resolution to pressing matters and a help against procrastination. (His name was removed from the official Roman Martyrology in 1905, but popular devotion to him remains strong in Europe and Latin America.) Source: catholic.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the patron saint of urgent causes?

Saint Expeditus is the primary patron saint of urgent causes. Their feast day is April 19.

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 Expeditus's intercession?

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

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