In this time of crisis and worldwide suffering due to the COVID-19 epidemic it can be difficult to process what is going on, let alone turn to prayer and ask for the Lord's help. But that is exactly what we need to do at a time like this.
Without doubt we can always meet the Lord Jesus in the intimacy of prayer. He is there to listen to our worries, calm our fears, and offer us hope — He will never leave us abandoned or alone. But, especially given current events, we can turn to our friends the saints for their intercession as well.
Why the Saints?
The saints hold a unique place in the kingdom of Heaven and in Catholic tradition. Saints, also referred to as the Church Triumphant, are those who chose to live intentional, extraordinary lives of holiness to glorify God the Father. While on earth, they lived ordinary lives like you and I, filled with trial and suffering. However, because of their faithfulness, the Church has recognized that they now dwell with the Father in Heaven and from there, intercede for us here on earth.
They are our heavenly friends and they have "the ear of God." This means that, like any good friend, they bring our needs to God and ask Him to grant our petitions. We can always go straight to the Lord with our prayers, but asking our friends for extra help never hurts!
One saint who has become particularly popular during the COVID-19 epidemic is St. Corona. Her name, like the latin roots of the virus's name, means "crown." While little is known about her life, her faith and heroic virtue in the face of suffering and death makes her an excellent example and intercessor for us in this uncertain time.
With that in mind, here are seven more saints we can pray to during this COVID-19 pandemic who particularly understand what we are going through.
1. St. Edmund the Martyr — Patron of Pandemics
In 855 St. Edmund was elected king of Suffolk, England at fourteen years old. Around the year 870, the Danes invaded Edmund's kingdom. He was captured and after extreme torture, was beheaded and died calling upon Jesus. Edmund was a fair and just king and treated all of his subjects equally. It is also said that he had a great love of scripture and frequently locked himself in his castle to memorize the psalms. He is the patron saint of pandemics.
2. St. Jude — Patron of Hopeless Causes
St. Jude, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, is also sometimes referred to as Thaddaeus in order to distinguish him from Judas the traitor. St. Jude was the brother of the Apostle St. James the Lesser, and a cousin of Jesus. St. Jude is known as the patron of hopeless and desperate causes because, as tradition holds, when someone hears the name Jude most immediately think of Judas Iscariot who betrayed our Lord. Therefore, a person had to be desperate to invoke his name.
3. St. Rita — Patron of Loneliness and Impossible Cases
St. Rita lived during the middle ages, interestingly during the time of the bubonic plague. She was made to marry an abusive man at twelve years old, even though she wanted to enter the convent. Through her ardent prayers, her husband eventually became a better man. After his death she joined the monastery of Saint Magdalene. Through the end of her life she experienced a great deal of suffering, including one of Christ's wounds and a painful death of tuberculosis. Let's ask St. Rita for her intercession over all those who are struggling with being alone at this time.
4. St. Raphael the Archangel — Patron of Bodily Illness
Raphael is one of the seven archangels who stand before the throne of God in heaven. In the Book of Tobit we learn Raphael's name, which in Hebrew means "God heals." Raphael journeys alongside Tobit, restores his vision, and is credited with driving the demon away from Sarah (Tobit's bride). St. Raphael's intercession is often asked in times where there is need of great healing. What's more, Raphael is also one of the patron saints of medical workers — a great saint to pray to for the protection of all working to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. St. Roch — Lived through a plague
At twenty years old, St. Roch set out on a pilgrimage to Rome. When he arrived, he found the city in the throws of a great plague. He went about caring for the ill and dying and many miraculous healings were attributed to him during this time. Eventually he contracted the illness himself but he recovered. In 1414, almost 100 years after St. Roch's death, the plague broke out in Constance and the Fathers of the Council in the city ordered public prayers and processions in honor of the saint, and immediately the plague ceased.
6. St. Simeon Stylites the Elder — Lived alone for 35 years (on top of a pillar)
If you are going a little stir crazy or experiencing some loneliness during this time, consider asking St. Simeon Stylites the Elder's intercession. St. Simeon was a hermit, meaning he lived a life of solitude and prayer. He was partial to living out his life of piety and sacrifice through some pretty bizarre forms of penance including standing upright until he collapsed from exhaustion and abstaining from all food and drink during Lent. Later in life when he desired even more solitude, he chose to live on top of a 50-foot pillar in the middle of the desert. Let's ask St. Simeon for his help during this time of social distancing.
7. Mary Undoer of Knots
As the story goes, there was a couple who was struggling in their marriage and on the verge of divorce. The husband went to a priest to seek his counsel and advice. The two prayed together frequently and during one meeting the husband brought the white ribbon that had been used during their wedding to tie them together as a symbol of unity. The priest held it up to an image of our Lady and prayed that she would "untie the knots" in the couple's marriage. The ribbon then loosened, completely untied, and became extremely white. After, the couple reconciled. This particular devotion to our Lady was made popular by Pope Francis (then Archbishop Bergoglio) when he said through Mary, “all the knots of our heart, every knot of our conscience can be undone.” Let us pray that Mary our mother would untie this knot of confusion and pain in the world today.
Join Us in Prayer
There are so many ways we can pray for those suffering around the world, not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also those enduring other daily sufferings and hardships.
This is where MercyWorks comes in. We exist to meet the most basic needs of children around the world. As part of our mission, we are committed to bringing freedom, hope, and healing to those who are trapped in vulnerable positions — like those our Sunflower Center serves.
We would love for you to join us in a novena for Modern Youth and Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Rape, and pray with us for an end to these unthinkable horrors and healing for all survivors. Thank you and may God bless you for your prayers.
Do you have plenty of prayer material? Consider helping us financially and donate to our COVID-19 Recovery Fund.
Join us in the nine-day novena to St. Maria Goretti for Modern Youth and Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Rape.
