Popular Saint Names and Their Meanings

ST. ANDREW MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. ANDREW MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT ANDREW the Apostle was one of the disciples closest to Jesus. He is called the first Apostle. According to Scripture, St. Andrew was the disciple who told Jesus about the boy with the loaves and fishes (John 6:8). He was also in Simon Peter’s boat and attended the last supper. He was crucified for baptizing the wife of a Roman governor. As a patron saint, St. Andrew offers protections to fishermen and singers. Wearing a St. Andrew patron medal can bring luck and safety.



ST. ANNE MEDALS from BLISS +++++++++++ ST. ANNE MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT ANNE is the Blessed Virgin Mary’s mother and Jesus’ grandmother. Although the Bible doesn’t mention Anne, other religious books acknowledge her as Mary’s mother and say she and Mary’s father, Joachim, had trouble bearing children until the angel Gabriel appeared and said they would have a child who they must dedicate to God. She is the patron saint of childless couples and married women. Wearing a St. Anne medal is said to bring the wearer grace, peace, and fertility.



ST. ANTHONY MEDALS from BLISS ++++ ST. ANTHONY MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT ANTHONY of PADUA was a Portuguese priest and Franciscan friar who was renowned as a teacher and preacher. St. Anthony is the benefactor of lost people and objects, based on a story where a Franciscan novice stole his psalter and left. After Anthony prayed for its return, both the thief and the psalter returned to the Order. People look to St. Anthony to recover lost or stolen articles.



ST. BARBARA MEDALS from BLISS +++++ ST. BARBARA MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT BARBARA is a popular choice for miners and field artillerymen. She was a Christian martyr, the extremely beautiful daughter of a pagan named Dioscorus. Dioscorus protected her by locking her up in a tower, where she spent her days admiring God’s creations. She secretly became a Christian and dedicated her life to God. Ultimately, Barbara was tortured and beheaded for her faith. She offers protection (especially from lightning and fire) and the hope of a “good death” to wearers.



ST. BENEDICT MEDALS from BLISS +++++ ST. BENEDICT MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT BENEDICT was the founder of the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino and considered the father of monasticism in the West. He is known to be a highly devoted man who performed several miracles. He had a great number of devoted disciples, which led to his reputation as the benefactor of students and school children. St. Benedict is also known as a protector against poison due to a failed assassination attempt.



ST. CHRISTOPHER MEDALS from BLISS +++++ ST. CHRISTOPHER MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT CHRISTOPHER is the subject of numerous legends and stories. Originally the man who would become Christopher was a ferryman named Offerus. He was a large, strong man who carried people across a river. One day a child asked him for transportation to the other side of the waterway. Offerus completed the request, even as the child grew heavier and heavier. The child later revealed himself to be Jesus, who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Offerus became known as “Christopher” which means “Christ-bearer”, as a result. St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers and transportation.



ST. FRANCIS MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. FRANCIS MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI is the patron saint of animals, the environment, and traders. St. Francis of Assisi could allegedly speak to animals, and saved a town from a vicious wolf. He was a Catholic friar, deacon, and preacher. He is a popular patron saint for pet owners, who pray to St. Francis of Assisi for protection over their pets. Wearing a St. Francis of Assisi Medal is believed to offer protection for animals and the natural environment.



ST. FLORIAN MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. FLORIAN MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT FLORIAN is the patron saint of firefighters and floods. A St. Florian medal is a great gift for firefighters, said to give them courage and protect them even in the most dangerous situations. St. Florian became a saint for refusing to obey commands to persecute Christians. St. Florian was tortured and put to death by drowning, but did so calmly as a child of God. He became the patron saint of firefighters because he was the leader of a Roman fire brigade.



ST. GEORGE MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. GEORGE MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT GEORGE was a Palestinian soldier under Roman emperor Diocletian. He was put to death for refusing to give up his Christian faith. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and the patron saint of England. St. George is known for his strength and courage, even in the face of death. Wearers can evoke St. George’s name in battles – both physical and otherwise – for protection.



ST. GERARD MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. GERARD MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT GERARD is the benefactor of mothers, children, and childbirth. His reputation comes from a story where, after departing from a visit to the Pirofalo family, one of the daughters noticed he left behind a handkerchief and tried to return it. Gerard told her to keep it, since it could be useful to her one day. During a dangerous delivery years later, she held the handkerchief, which kept the child safe throughout the process. St. Gerard is also known for protecting the falsely accused.



ST. JOHN MEDALS from BLISS +++++++ ST. JOHN MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST is the patron saint of baptism, conversions, innkeepers, and tailors, as well as a protector against convulsions/spasms and hailstorms. St. John was the one who baptized Jesus. He also has a powerful story of his own. He was born to an elderly barren mother (Elizabeth) after the angel Gabriel visited and told them they would have a son. It was Elizabeth who told the Virgin Mary that the child she carried was to be the Son of God.



ST. JOSEPH MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. JOSEPH MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT JOSEPH is the foster father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. He initially sent Mary away after finding out she was pregnant with someone else’s child, before an angel instructed him to raise and protect God’s child. Joseph is the patron of fathers, workers, immigrants, travelers, and several countries. Someone wearing a St. Joseph medal seeks protection for these people, as well as fatherly care in general.



ST. JUDE MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. JUDE MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT JUDE THADDEUS was one of the original 12 apostles to Jesus, and not to be confused with Judas Iscariot. St. Jude is known for his preaching of the Gospel during hopeless situations. As such, he is known as the patron of people with lost causes. St. Jude had a resurgence of popularity in 1929, after the Claretians in southeast Chicago started devoting services to him. Catholics seek him for guidance and hope during difficult times.



ST. LUCY MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. LUCY MEDALS from McVAN

ST. LUCIA MEDALS from BLISS

SAINT LUCY, or SAINT LUCIA, is a virgin and martyr whose name is associated with light. She is the patron saint of sight, of virgins, and of the city of Syracuse (Sicily). St. Lucy spurned material goods and marriage and vowed to remain a virgin. A spurned suitor reported her to authorities and she was sentenced to prostitution. Legend has it that divine intervention made St. Lucy impossible to move, so the guards surrounded her with wood and attempted to burn her. She was also impervious to fire and sent to her death by the sword. Wearing a St. Lucy medal is said to provide protection for young girls and the blind.



ST. LUKE MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. LUKE MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT LUKE was one of the authors of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He was a Greek and a Gentile, who wrote about Jesus’ praise of the Gentiles. He followed St. Paul and was a physician (Colossians 4:14). St. Luke is the patron saint of doctors, surgeons, and artists. His medal commonly depicts him painting a portrait of the Virgin Mary. Wearing a St. Luke medal could protect physicians and artists and contribute to their good works within the community.



ST. MARK MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. MARK MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT MARK, or MARK THE EVANGELIST, established the Church of Alexandria. He also wrote the Gospel of Mark and is the patron saint of Venice. His home was a meeting place for the apostles. He had a close relationship with St. Peter. St. Mark died a martyr after persecutors dragged him through the streets of Alexandria. The symbol of St. Mark is a winged lion. Wearing a St. Mark medal could bring the wearer protection.



ST. PATRICK MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. PATRICK MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT PATRICK, or the Messenger of Ireland, became a slave in Ireland at age 16. He took care of animals for years as a slave before escaping (after receiving a message to do so from God) and returning to his home in Great Britain. He later became a priest and a bishop and returned to Ireland to convert the pagans there to Christianity. He used the shamrock to preach about the Holy Trinity. A St. Patrick medal is believed to bring the wearer safety from snakes and other dangers.



ST. PAUL MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. PAUL MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT PAUL influenced the development of the Church. He is an incredibly important saint who started as a persecutor, but had a powerful vision that resulted in his conversion to Christianity. He was baptized and changed his name from Saul to Paul. He traveled the world while preaching about Christianity. St. Paul is revered for his advice on how good Christians should live. He became a martyr after his beheading by Roman emperor Nero. St. Paul is the patron saint of writers, journalists, authors, missionaries, and evangelists.



ST. PEREGRINE MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ SAINT PEREGRINE MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT PEREGRINE LAZIOSI started as a rebel and enemy of the church in his hometown of Forli, Italy. The pope sent Philip Benizi to the city as a peace ambassador, but Peregrine assaulted him. The rebel became remorseful afterward and asked for his forgiveness. He renounced his ways and became a priest. St. Peregrine is known as the patron saint of people with cancer, foot conditions, and other incurable diseases after a cancerous growth in his foot disappeared overnight after prayer. He reportedly cured other people throughout Forli after that.



ST. PETER MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. PETER MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT PETER SIMON was the first Pope, historically. He was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, ordained by Jesus in Matthew 16:17-18. He is known for having little faith, however, and to doubt Jesus’ abilities. It was Peter who denied Jesus thrice, in Mark 14:66-72. Following Jesus’ resurrection, Peter has three new chances to confirm his love for Jesus, which he does all three times. St. Peter then becomes the leader of the Apostles. Wearing a St. Peter medal protects fishermen, locksmiths, and popes.



ST. SEBASTIAN MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. SEBASTIAN MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT SEBASTIAN is the patron saint of athletes and archers. Medals with St. Sebastian often depict him as a martyr, tied to a tree and getting shot with arrows during Diocletian’s (the Roman emperor) persecution of Christians. He is a “champion of Christ and guardian of the heavens,” or an athleta Christi. St. Sebastian is a symbol of strength and courage in the face of adversity. The Catholic faith attributes protection of athletes to St. Sebastian, as well as the gifts of stamina and perseverance.



ST. THERESE MEDALS from BLISS ++++++ ST. THERESE MEDALS from McVAN

SAINT THERESE LISIEUX Little Flower is credited with remarkable spiritual accomplishments during her 24 years of life. Born in Alençon, France, St. Thérèse L.F. was a Carmelite nun who lived a pious life before passing away from tuberculosis. She had visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus and was the youngest person the Pope has ever designated a doctor of the church. Wearing a St. Thérèse L.F. medal reminds people to live a life of simplicity and to bloom wherever God has planted them. St. Thérèse is the patron saint of aviators, florists, and missionaries, and the protector of many causes, including protection against sicknesses.