5 Patron Saints For Healing

St. Dymphna (Patron Saint of Depression and Mental Illness)

St. Dymphna is an Irish saint who was killed by her own father when he went mad from grief after the death of his beloved wife. Her feast day is celebrated on May 15th.

Prayer for St. Dymphna’s Intercession

Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need (mention it). Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request. (Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.) Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.

St. Peregrine (Patron Saint of Cancer Healing)

St. Peregrine was an Italian saint who had a cancerous leg. On the night before a surgeon was about to amputate it, Peregrine prayed fervently in front of a crucifix and was miraculously healed. His feast day is celebrated on May 4th.

Prayer for St. Peregrine’s Intercession

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty" and "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you. (Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying) Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

St Maximillian Kolbe (Patron Saint for Addictions)

St. Maximillian Kolbe is a modern-day saint who was killed in Auschwitz after he volunteered to take the place of a prisoner who was sentenced to be locked in a bunker and starved to death. St. Maximillian bravely led the men in the bunker in prayer and songs and was still alive days later. He was finally given a lethal injection. His feast day is celebrated on August 14th.

Prayer for St. Maximillian Kolbe’s Intercession

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, your life of love and labor for souls was sacrificed amid the horrors of a concentration camp and hastened to its end by an injection of a deadly drug. Look with compassion upon [name of person] who is now entrapped in addiction to drugs/alcohol and whom I now recommend to your powerful intercession. Having offered your own life to preserve that of a family man, I turn to you with trust, confident that you will understand and help. Obtain for me the grace never to withhold my love and understanding, or to fail in persevering prayer that the enslaving bonds of addiction may be broken and that full health may be restored to him, whom I love. I will never cease to be grateful to God who has helped me and heard your prayer for me. Amen.

St. Lidwina (Patron Saint for Those Suffering from Chronic Pain)

St. Lidwina is a Dutch saint who was injured in a fall while ice skating. As a result of her injuries, she was bedridden for the rest of her life and endured excruciating pain. Yet she quietly accepted this suffering and prayed constantly during her many years of agony. Her feast day is celebrated on April 14th.

Prayer for St. Lidwina’s Intercession

St. Lidwina, in your sufferings you knew the weight of the cross. Please pray for all who are burdened in life. Teach us by your example to never waste one drop of pain, but to lovingly and courageously “offer it up” to our Lord, who patiently suffered for us. Amen.

St. Jude (Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes)

St. Jude (also known as Thaddeus) was one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus and was actually one of Jesus’ relatives. Not much is known about the life of this saint, but his intercession for hopeless causes is very powerful. His feast day is celebrated on October 28th.

Prayer for St. Jude’s Intercession

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope. Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request). I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

Learn more about Saints on Beliefnet:

Influential Saints and Their Legends

Lessons From the Early Christian Saints

7 Things You Didn't Know About the Saints