Choose a patron saint for your marriage

When couples first fall in love, it’s easy to believe that affection will be enough to sustain a marriage. Yet as married life unfolds, its ordinary trials reveal that building a life together requires more than goodwill alone.

Where can Catholic couples find support or strength to navigate the common struggles that inevitably arise, such as seasons of distance, illness, financial hardship or even moral disagreement? Through the intercession of the saints! The saints, whose lives were marked by perseverance, sacrifice and trust in God, provide wisdom grounded in human experience.

We call on the saints to accompany us in the sacraments of baptism or confirmation; why not in our daily efforts to live in fidelity to our marriage vows? By turning to saints whose lives reflect the challenges we face and the virtues we hope to cultivate as a couple, we place our marriage in a posture that fosters growth in faith, patience and love.

For couples facing emotional or physical ailments, the intercession of St. Padre Pio can help them grow in trust, patience and unity through hardship. St. Padre Pio, a 20th-century Capuchin priest, bore the stigmata and devoted long hours to prayer and hearing confessions. He is renowned for his many miracles of healing. A popular phrase of his, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry,” reminds couples to put their trust in God in all circumstances. His feast day is Sept. 23.

For couples struggling with marital strife, tension or spiritual challenges, the intercession of St. Monica can help them find healing and reconciliation. St. Monica endured a harsh marriage, but through persistent prayer eventually converted her husband. Her devout prayers for her son, Augustine, also brought him back to the faith. Her feast day is Aug. 27.

For couples facing financial stress, the intercession of St. Joseph can help them cultivate trust in God’s providence, faithful stewardship and integrity. The humble carpenter and earthly father of Jesus modeled provision and simplicity in family life. His feast days are celebrated March 19 and May 1.

For couples experiencing challenges in intimacy, the intercession of St. John Paul II can help them deepen respect, love and connection. He taught the dignity of sexuality, respect for life and marital love rooted in mutuality and faith. His feast day is Oct. 22. For couples seeking wisdom and a deeper sense of their call to mission, the intercession of the Holy Family can help them cultivate harmony, fidelity and grace. Mary and Joseph model patience and love in raising their son Jesus. After Jesus got lost in the temple, they came to a deeper understanding of their son’s heavenly mission, and their role in God’s plan. The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated the first Sunday within the Octave of Christmas.

In choosing a patron saint for your marriage, couples do not escape life’s challenges, but gain support to face them with divine grace.