Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Tuesday 05 November |
Saint of the Day: Bl. María del Carmen Viel Ferrando
Aleteia logo
Spirituality
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Why St. Frances of Rome is the patron saint of car drivers

Frances of Rome

Public Domain

Philip Kosloski - published on 03/08/23

The 14th century saint was frequently led by an angel of light that illumined her nighttime travels.

While St. Frances of Rome never lived to see the invention of the automobile, she is popularly invoked as the patron saint of automobile drivers.

This patronage is connected to a close relationship with an angel, who would constantly envelop her with light.

In The Life of St. Frances of Rome, Georgiana Fullerton explains how she would frequently be illumined by her angel at nighttime.

When she left the oratory, the archangel followed her, and, enveloped in a halo of light, remained always visible to her, though imperceptible to others. The radiance that surrounded him was so dazzling, that she could seldom look upon him with a fixed gaze. At night, and in the most profound darkness, she could always write and read by the light of that supernatural brightness.

With the invention of the automobile, many Catholics would turn to St. Frances and ask for her intercession while they traveled at night, praying that they would receive the same kind of angelic protection.

Tags:
Saints
Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.