Patron saints are saints to whom the protection of particular groups has been attributed, since the first century after Christ. For example, Saint Crispin (Saint Crépin), a third century martyr, became the protector of shoemakers, just as musicians are under the patronage of Saint Cecilia. Churches, dioceses, cities and countries may also have their patron saints. Thus, Saint Anne, is the patron saint of the province of Quebec, and the Virgin Mary is the patron of the city of Montreal. As messengers of God, patron saints are the intermediaries between God and prayerful believers. Since the prayer requests are many and varied, there is a patron saint for almost every occasion. Even though they are venerated mostly in the Catholic Church, the Orthodox and Anglican Churches also have their contingent of patron saints.
Below are statues from our collection representing patron saints. Can you recognize them ?
