History Main / PatronSaint

The process of being named a saint is canonization (or, in some branches of Orthodox Christianity, glorification), a long and complicated process. Note that canonization does not ''make'' one a saint, as only God can do that. Canonization is merely the process by which the Church recognizes that a person has become a saint. Many saints may exist who have not been canonized. In fact, Orthodoxy defines a saint as ''anyone'' who was accepted by God into Heaven[[note]]that's why the Roman Catholic Church refers to the continued connection between you and your loved ones who've gone on to heaven as the "Communion of Saints"[[/note]] but not all saints will be recognized by the living because not all saints will have miracles granted in their names by God.[[/note]] For more information, just look up the relevant keyword(s) on Website/TheOtherWiki.

The process of being named a saint is canonization (or, in some branches of Orthodox Christianity, glorification), a long and complicated process. [[note]]Note that canonization does not ''make'' one a saint, as only God can do that. Canonization is merely the process by which the Church recognizes that a person has become a saint. Many saints may exist who have not been canonized. In fact, Orthodoxy defines a saint as ''anyone'' who was accepted by God into Heaven[[note]]that's why the Roman Catholic Church refers to the continued connection between you and your loved ones who've gone on to heaven as the "Communion of Saints"[[/note]] but not all saints will be recognized by the living because not all saints will have miracles granted in their names by God.[[/note]] For more information, just look up the relevant keyword(s) on Website/TheOtherWiki.

The process of being named a saint is canonization (or, in some branches of Orthodox Christianity, glorification), a long and complicated process. [[note]]Note that canonization does not ''make'' one a saint, as only God can do that. Canonization is merely the process by which the Church recognizes that a person has become a saint. Many saints may exist who have not been canonized. In fact, Orthodoxy defines a saint as ''anyone'' who was accepted by God into Heaven, but not all saints will be recognized by the living because not all saints will have miracles granted in their names by God.[[/note]] For more information, just look up the relevant keyword(s) on Website/TheOtherWiki.

* Patron saints were common subjects for artists throughout TheMiddleAges and UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance (as in the page image of the "[[http://madameevangelista.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/wilton_diptych.jpg Wilton Diptych]]," which shows SS. Edmund the Martyr, Edward the Confessor, and John the Baptist patronizing King Richard II of England). Often non-contemporaneous saints are shown associating in ''sacra conversazione'', each identified by holding or standing near his or her own special emblem, often the method of his or her martyrdom -- ''e.g.'', St. Catherine holding her wheel or St. Bartholomew holding his own ''[[NightmareFuel flayed skin]]''.

* ''Fanfic/ShakedownShenanigans'': Before piloting the ''Bajor'' out of drydock for the shakedown cruise, Lieutenant Park Jin-Soo kisses a medallion of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Cupertino Saint Joseph of Cupertino]], the patron saint of pilots and astronauts in real life.

* ''Film/ThisIsSpinalTap'': David St. Hubbins' surname is said to be derived from the patron saint of quality footwear[[note]]Ss. Crispin and Crispian in real life, but RuleOfFunny reigns here[[/note]].

* ''Webcomic/{{Roommates}}'' and its '[[{{Webcomic/Buildingverse}} verse]][[note]]''Webcomic/GirlsNextDoor'', ''Webcomic/DownTheStreet'', ''Webcomic/{{Superintendent}}'', ''Webcomic/MeanwhileUpstairs'' etc.[[/note]] has the Saint Jude university, where most of the cast works or studies. Kinda fitting how much concentrated ''[[FailureIsTheOnlyOption fail]]'' the place has, beginning with the main characters, who are mostly [[MegaCrossover antagonists from different stories]] trying to begin a new, more normal life. Lost Causes indeed. Also Javert tells James to "Go St. George on" the dragon [[http://asherhyder.deviantart.com/art/Roommates-272-Toothless-319339842 here]].

** There is a Patron Saint of Television, [[http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-clare-of-assisi/ Saint Clare of Assisi]], and [[http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-isidore-of-seville/ Saint Isidore, Patron Saint of the Internet]].

The process of being named a saint is canonization (or, in some branches of Orthodox Christianity, glorification), a long and complicated process. [[note]]Note that canonization does not ''make'' one a saint, as only God can do that. Canonization is merely the process by which the Church recognizes that a person has become a saint. Many saints may exist who have not been canonized. In fact, Orthodoxy defines a saint as ''anyone'' who was accepted by God into Heaven, but not all saints will be recognized by the living because not all saints will have miracles granted in their names by God.[[/note]] For more information, just look up the relevant keyword(s) on Wiki/TheOtherWiki.

* Wiki/TVTropes:

* [[http://st_dyphna.comicdish.com/ St Dyphn(i)a Academy]] -- The students in attendance should have realized that something was [[SealedEvilInACan very]] [[EldritchAbomination wrong]] with a school [[IDontLikeTheSoundOfThatPlace named after]] the patron saint of ''the insane''.

Some of us are believed to be [[PalsWithJesus closer to the divine]] than others. In Catholicism and Orthodoxy, these special people are called "saints" and they can be called upon to intercede and/or create miracles on our behalf.

* The aforementioned St. Vidicon is referenced in the ''Literature/SixteenThirtyTwo''-verse. Despite being fictional in-universe, he is venerated (due to the circumstances of his martyrdom) by radio technicians as the holy helper against the ravages of {{Murphy|sLaw}}, half in earnest and half as an in-universe lampshading/jab at up-time Catholics who continue to venerate saints who are either still alive in down-time or, due to TheButterflyEffect, will never be born. When three radio techs petition the local cardinal for permission to found a holy order dedicated to St. Vidicon, he is less than amused.

->''"Holy Hannah!" shouted ComicBook/CaptainAmerica in ''Secret Defenders'' #6. ''Who'', you ask? Why, "Holy Hannah" is better known as St. Hannah of the Funnybooks, patron saint to [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] superheroes (As opposed to "Holy #%&* !", patron saint of '90s superheroes.)''

->''"Holy Hannah!" shouted ComicBook/CaptainAmerica in ''Secret Defenders'' #6. ''Who'', you ask? Why, "Holy Hannah" is better known as St. Hannah of the Funnybooks, patron saint to [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] superheroes (As opposed to "Holy #%&* !", patron saint of '90s super heroes.)''

* Saint Francis Xavier tends to be referenced once in a while in anime, because he went to Japan to evangelize the heathens and generally speaking piss off UsefulNotes/TokugawaIeyasu. There's an alleged descendant of his who appears in ''Anime/SamuraiChamploo'', for example. Xavi in the ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' games is also based on Xavier.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}: The Nature of the Beast'', St. Leonard the Hermit and his slaying of the St. Leonard Worm are alluded to to when the eponymous Hellboy fights a similar creature, and just like in the legends, Hellboy's blood also causes flowers to spring up from the earth. Later, in ''Box Full of Evil'', St. Dunstan is mentioned, and his image used, in connection with a demon he had defeated and imprisoned centuries earlier.

* There are loads of saints in ''Film/{{Millions}}'', because the protagonist is a bit obsessed with them.

* The aforementioned St. Vidicon is referenced in the ''Literature/SixteenThirtyTwo''-verse. Despite being fictional in-universe, he is venerated (due to the circumstances of his martyrhood) by radio technicians as the holy helper against the ravages of {{Murphy|sLaw}}, half in earnest and half as an in-universe lampshading/jab at up-time Catholics who continue to venerate saints who are either still alive in down-time or, due to TheButterflyEffect, will never be born. When three radio techs petition the local cardinal for permission to found a holy order dedicated to St. Vidicon, he is less than amused.

* In Creator/RobertAHeinlein's ''Literature/SpaceCadet'', when persuading the hero that an apparent accident was a real one and not a put on job to scare the candidates, someone asks him whether he has ever heard of St. Barbara, explains that she is the patron of those in dangerous occupations, and tells him that if he goes to the chapel dedicated to her, he will find that the priest is saying Mass for those who died in the accident. This convinces him.

* In ''Literature/{{Cell}}'', by Creator/StephenKing, Denise successfully helps Clay find a necessary item by invoking St. Anthony's help[[note]]Because of his phenomenal memory, his fellow Franciscan monks used to rely on him to help them find things they'd misplaced. As a saint he's popular as a [[https://web.archive.org/web/20071114201434/http://catholicism.about.com/od/prayers/qt/Novena_Ant_Lost.htm finder of lost people, material things and even spiritual or emotional states]].[[/note]] Clay himself borrows this idea at the [[NoEnding ending]].

* In the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series, the Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries is under the patronage of Saint Mungo, who, despite his peculiar name, is a honest-to-God patron saint from Scotland, also known as Saint Kentigern (c.550-612).

* There are a couple of references in ''Literature/TheUnadulteratedCat'' by Creator/TerryPratchett to St Eric, the patron saint of Real Cats. The book's theory that Cats Found in Lorries are all the same cat, who is trying to get somewhere, goes on to suggest that it might be a feline WanderingJew, cursed by Eric to "go away and never come back" after he tripped over it. In the chapter speculating about cats being bred for the same roles as dogs, the St Eric is the counterpart to the St Bernard. (There's a real St Eric, but he was a 12th century Swedish king, while the one in the book was a 4th century Greek bishop.)

* The [[Music/JohnColtrane Saint John Will-I-Am Coltrane]] African Orthodox Church in San Francisco has officially canonized the jazz great, and celebrates a three-hour mass based on his music every Sunday.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': In the ''Book of Exalted Deeds'', sainthood is something a character can earn in game. By the standards of the book, it's ridiculously hard to earn in game (easier if you're starting high level and can write the requirements into your backstory).

* There are a couple of references in ''The Unadulterated Cat'' by Creator/TerryPratchett to St Eric, the patron saint of Real Cats. The book's theory that Cats Found in Lorries are all the same cat, who is trying to get somewhere, goes on to suggest that it might be a feline WanderingJew, cursed by Eric to "go away and never come back" after he tripped over it. In the chapter speculating about cats being bred for the same roles as dogs, the St Eric is the counterpart to the St Bernard. (There's a real St Eric, but he was a 12th century Swedish king, while the one in the book was a 4th century Greek bishop.)

[[caption-width-right:350:A guy like that has to be level-headed.]]

Note that Catholics and Orthodox do not offering "worship" (''latria'') to the saints; what the saints receive is ''doulia'' or "honor" -- or, in the case of the Queen of the Saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary, ''hyperdoulia'' or "extreme honor". One does not pray '''to''' the saints but rather asks them to pray '''for''' you. Roman Catholic theology calls this ''intercession:'' Being the Boss of Heaven, only {{God}} has the power to grant prayer requests, but one can ask a saint in heaven to lend his assistance in expediting the process. Apparently, Heaven still has a lot to work on fixing red tape within the CelestialBureaucracy.

Note that Catholics and Orthodox vehemently deny offering "worship" (''latria'') to the saints; what the saints receive is ''doulia'' or "honor" -- or, in the case of the Queen of the Saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary, ''hyperdoulia'' or "extreme honor". One does not pray '''to''' the saints, but rather asks them to pray '''for''' you. Roman Catholic theology calls this ''intercession:'' Being the Boss of Heaven, only the [[{{God}} Big G]] has the power to grant prayer requests, but one can ask a saint in heaven to lend his assistance in expediting the process. Apparently, Heaven still has a lot to work on fixing red tape within the CelestialBureaucracy.

For some of the most commonly referenced Saints in fiction, see: UsefulNotes/PatronSaints. Real life examples should be put there.

* According to ''Literature/AgathaHAndTheVoiceOfTheCastle'', Agatha's paternal grandmother, for her act of raising the Heterodyne Boys to be heroes rather than monsters like everyone else in their family, was canonized as the patron saint of Those Who Have To Put Up With Sparks.

* In the novelizations of the ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' webcomic, it's mentioned that protagonist Agatha's grandmother raised her sons to become heroes instead of the family's usual blood-thirsty maniacs, eventually killing her husband to save them and being killed by [[GeniusLoci Castle Heterodyne]] in return. This led to her being made the patron saint of Those Who Run Afoul of [[MadScientist Sparks.]]

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[[quoteright:252:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/PatronSaint_3497.jpg]]

->''"Holy Hannah!" shouted ComicBook/CaptainAmerica in ''Secret Defenders'' #6. ''Who'', you ask? Why, "Holy Hannah" is better known as St. Hannah of the Funnybooks, patron saint to [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] superheroes (As opposed to "Holy #%&* !", patron saint of [[NinetiesAntiHero '90s super heroes]].)''

* "Fanfic/ShakedownShenanigans": Before piloting the ''Bajor'' out of drydock for the shakedown cruise, Lieutenant Park Jin-Soo kisses a medallion of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Cupertino Saint Joseph of Cupertino]], the patron saint of pilots and astronauts in real life.

** The Busters consider Series/MacGyver their patron saint.

The process of being named a saint is canonization (or, in Orthodox Christianity, glorification), a long and complicated process. [[note]]Note that canonization does not ''make'' one a saint, as only God can do that. Canonization is merely the process by which the Church recognizes that a person has become a saint. Many saints may exist who have not been canonized. In fact, Orthodoxy defines a saint as ''anyone'' who was accepted by God into Heaven, but not all saints will be recognized by the living because not all saints will have miracles granted in their names by God.[[/note]] For more information, just look up the relevant keyword(s) on Wiki/TheOtherWiki.