During this time of pandemic, prayer is really one of our best and most powerful weapons. Sharing with you this beautiful article about prayers to the Holy Apostles, written by Marilyn Nash.
Jesus chose twelve men to follow Him. Of these twelve, one would betray Him and eleven would go forth to proclaim the Gospel.
These men had different backgrounds and temperaments. Some understood Our Lord better than others but they all loved Him and they all were willing to die as martyrs for Him.
In the Church, we have patron saints; saints whom we call upon to intercede for us. Their patronage is determined by their life experiences, sufferings, miracles attributed to them, and their death.
Here, we shall explore a few of the Holy Apostles as patron saints and include prayers to them, asking for their intercession.
Let us begin with Saint Peter.
Saint Peter is the patron saint of fishermen, locksmiths, builders/stonemasons, shipbuilders and sailors, shoemakers, the papacy, and the Universal Church.
Prayer to Saint Peter the Apostle
O Glorious Saint Peter, because of your vibrant and generous faith, sincere humility, and flaming love our Lord honored you with singular privileges and especially the leadership of the whole Church. Obtain for us the grace of a living faith, a sincere loyalty to the Church, acceptance of all her teaching, and obedience to all her precepts. Let us thus enjoy an undisturbed peace on earth and everlasting happiness in heaven.
Saint John the Evangelist
Saint John the Evangelist is the patron of love, loyalty, booksellers, art dealers, and printers. He is the apostle to whom Jesus entrusted His mother—to become our mother. Saint John the Evangelist cared for Our Lady until her Assumption.
A Prayer to Saint John the Evangelist
For an Ardent Love to Jesus and Mary
O Glorious Saint John, you were so loved by Jesus that you merited to rest your head upon His breast and to be left in His place as a son to Mary. Obtain for us an ardent love for Jesus and Mary. Let me be united with them now on earth and forever after in heaven.
Saint Jude
Saint Jude is the patron saint of hope, and of difficult and impossible causes.
Prayer to Saint Jude the Apostle
Most holy Apostle, Saint Jude Thaddeus, friend of Jesus, I place myself in your care at this difficult time. Help me know that I need not face my troubles alone. Please join me in my need, asking God to send me: consolation in my sorrow, courage in my fear, and healing in the midst of my suffering. Ask our loving Lord to fill me with the grace to accept whatever may lie ahead for me and my loved ones, and to strengthen my faith in God’s healing powers. Thank you, Saint Jude Thaddeus, for the promise of hope you hold out to all who believe and inspire me to give this gift of hope to others as it has been given to me.
V. Saint Jude, Apostle of Hope
R. Pray for us!
Saint Thomas
(Known as Doubting Thomas)
Saint Thomas is the patron saint of doubt, architects, builders, and India.
Prayer to Saint Thomas the Apostle
Pray for Me
Lord Jesus, Saint Thomas doubted Your resurrection until he touched Your wounds. After Pentecost, You called him to become a missionary in India, but he doubted again and said no. He changed his mind only after being taken into slavery by a merchant who happened to be going to India. Once he was cured of his doubt, You freed him and he began the work You had called him to do. As the patron saint against doubt, I ask him to pray for me when I question the direction in which You are leading me. Forgive me for mistrusting You, Lord, and help me to grow from the experience. Saint Thomas, pray for me.
Amen.
Saint James the Elder
(Also known as James, son of Zebedee)
Saint James is the patron of pilgrims, hatmakers, rheumatoid sufferers, and laborers.
Prayer to Saint James the Elder
O Glorious Apostle, Saint James, who by reason of your fervent and generous heart was chosen by Jesus to be a witness of His glory on Mount Tabor, and of His agony in Gethsemane; you, whose very name is a symbol of warfare and victory: obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending warfare of this life, that, having constantly and generously followed Jesus, we may be victors in the strife and deserve to receive the victor’s crown in heaven. Amen.
St James the Apostle, pray for us!
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So, here you have the patronage of and prayers to five of the twelve Holy Apostles. Each apostle has his particular patronage and prayers. I encourage you to explore the others with gratitude that be it not for them, we would not have our Church.
– Marilyn Nash for TheHolyApostles.com
References:
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=410
https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/art/saint-james-patron-of-pilgrims.html
Truly Rich and Blessed 