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As the summer vacations continue and your patience starts to wear thin, you might be longing for the return to school and cooler days, especially if mosquitos, soaring temperatures, and other common summer woes are making life less than joyous.
However, as these weeks away from the usual daily grind are precious to embrace, look to these holy helpers to make the most of your summer so you can really enjoy it with family and friends.
1
St. Rita of Cascia — Patron Saint of Impossible Causes (Including Pest Control)
Problem:Mosquito bites
St. Rita is known for her ability to help with seemingly impossible situations, and is the go-to saint for those relentless mosquito invasions. Think of her as your celestial bug spray, keeping those pesky pests at bay.
2
St. Bartholomew the Apostle — Patron Saint of Skin Diseases
Problem:Sunburn
For those whose skin burns at the slightest exposure to the sun, they’ll appreciate just how much it can impact your summer. St. Bartholomew, associated with skin healing, is your spiritual aloe vera, ready to soothe and protect your sun-kissed skin. Alternatively you could seek out help from St. Lawrence, who was grilled to death for his beliefs. (He was the saint who declared that his executors could turn him over as he was cooked on that side!)
3
St. John Bosco — Patron Saint of Youth and Students
Problem: Keeping kids busy
Summer break can mean restless kids. St. John Bosco, known for his dedication to youth and education, is a great saint to call on for inspiration in keeping the kids entertained and engaged. Think of him as your divine camp counselor.
4
St. Clare of Assisi — Patron Saint of Laundry Workers
Problem:Extra loads of washing
Between pool parties and sleepovers, summer fun often leads to more laundry. St. Clare, the patron saint of laundry workers, can help make those extra loads a bit more bearable. Consider her your holy laundry assistant.
5
St. Christopher — Patron Saint of Travelers
Problem:Travel issues
With the recent CrowdStrike IT outage millions of people saw their travel plans go up in smoke, with some vacations canceled. It reminded us just how hard it is to rely on different means of transport. Therefore, whether you’re planning a road trip or flying to a vacation spot, St. Christopher is your trusty intercessor to call on. Invoke his help for safe and smooth journeys and consider him your celestial GPS.
6
St. Medard — Patron Saint Against Bad Weather
Problem:Not coping with hot weather
Hot and humid summer days can be tough. Equally, going off on a sunny holiday only to be met with rain and storms isn’t ideal either. You should therefore look to St. Medard, often invoked for protection against bad weather, who can offer a bit of relief.
7
St. Teresa of Ávila — Patron Saint of Headaches
Problem:Migraines
Summer heat and stress can lead to headaches and migraines — and trying to keep kids occupied can add a little tension, too. If this affects you, then St. Teresa, who experienced many physical sufferings including headaches, is a comforting saint to turn to for relief.
8
St. Matthew the Apostle — Patron Saint of Finances
Problem: Financial issues
Summer activities and vacations can really drain your wallet. St. Matthew, the patron saint of finances, can help you keep your spending in check. Think of him as your holy financial advisor and try to take inspiration from him before putting your hand in your wallet.
9
St. Adjutor — Patron Saint of Swimmers and Boaters
Problem:Water safety
With nearly a thousand children drowning in the United States alone each year, water safety is a primary concern for most parents in the summer months. Therefore, if you’re heading to the beach, pool, or lake, St. Adjutor is your go-to spiritual lifeguard. Known for his miracles involving water, this knight of the First Crusade escaped persecution thanks to his swimming skills. He’d be perfect at keeping an eye on you and your loved ones around the water — and you should also ask him to help make you more attentive to swimming and boating safety.
And today we celebrate...