Burn-out, insomnia, unemployment … there’s a saint to turn to in every circumstance

There's a host of holy helpers who can help with our everyday suffering and needs.

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Everyday life has worries, problems, and frustrations that we must contend with — and as Christians, we can use all of these situations to help us grow and get closer to God. To do that, why not call upon some of our brothers and sister who know how trying life can be, and who are happy to help us? Here’s a list of some exceptional men and women you can turn to for daily life challenges…

When you want to get the day off to a good start

Your day will start of smoothly with a prayer to St. Germanus. This 5th-century bishop from Auxerre confronted barbarian chieftains and gave back their voices to roosters. When these birds became silent, the people could not wake up on time and the life of the whole village was perturbed. St. Germanus of Auxerre healed them and everything returned to normal. Ever since, people pray him to wake up on time.

When you’re looking for work

You can entrust yourself to the care of St. Adauctus, the finance minister of Emperor Diocletian, who lived in the 4th century and lost his position and life when his boss discovered that he was a Christian. Diocletian had him burnt alive, walled up in his own house.

When you feel burned out

If you are affected by your job, you should address the patron saint of all those who fell victim to slavery, St. Benedict the Moor. Throughout his life, St. Benedict fought to improve the conditions and the life of laborers in the 16th=century Sicily. Some employees are also particularly devoted to St. Leonard, who created a huge scandal in the 1880s by suggesting that Christian factory owners should limit the workday of their workers to eight hours.

If you have no money to pay your taxes

Paying taxes is a cause of anxiety for many people. Why not entrust this sensitive case to St. Eusebius? He was killed by a usurer he had publicly denounced in the year 884.

When you’re off to visit the dentist

When you are off to the dentist’s, some relief might be brought by a thought about all these virgin martyrs, who like St. Apollonia of Alexandria (died in 249), the patron saint of the profession, preferred to have all their teeth pulled out (without anesthetics) rather than deny their faith.

When you’re in a hurry but stuck in traffic

You can pray St. Christopher (died in 250), the patron saint of drivers, or St. Fiacre (died in 670). And don’t forget St. Lazarus, whom you can ask for patience. After his death in 867, he had to visit Purgatory, despite all his merits, for having refused to pardon heretics who had burnt his hands at the moment of his passing.

If you feel your plans are going nowhere

St. Donald of Sheridan (died in 716) was a widower from Scotland who vainly tried to find husbands for his nine daughters. Each of them frivolously rejected her suitor. They finally confessed to their infuriated father that the only groom they wanted was Jesus Christ. Relieved, Donald transformed his house into a convent and became its abbot.

When dinner has turned into a disaster

St. Sylvester Venturus (died in 1348), who worked as a monastery cook, would often enter into ecstasy in front of his pots, so angels had to assist him! If you are suffering from indigestion, the tradition and the king of France Francis I recommended seeking the intercession of St. Arcadius, who suffered martyrdom in 302 after he was fed raw dough for several days in a row.

When you are trying to change your eating habits

To get rid of a few extra pounds (this by no means dispenses you from reducing your intake of sugar, fat or alcohol…), you should call on St. Isnardo. This 13th-century monk from Pavia was so fat that by the end of his life, he could no longer leave his cell.

When you need to stay late at the office

If you have to work late, pray to St. Ephrem the Syrian (died in 373) so you can stay awake in front of your computer. This monk from Edessa was so busy composing his commentaries on the Bible that he forgot to go to bed and slept in his chair.

When you can’t sleep

If you are suffering from insomnia, you can recover sleep with the help of St. Desiré. The sermons of this bishop from Langres, who died in 407, were so long that all worshipers would fall fast asleep before he finished.

Luc Adrian