Dulia is the term of reverence we give to the saints denoting that we do not worship them, but we only give respect to them.
Going over through our social media accounts has been uneasy for us during these trying times. Our newsfeeds on Facebook are filled with candle pictures, or the usual plain black photos, captioned with different stories remembering the death of a person—-may it be our family, friend, neighbour, colleague, or simply anyone.
The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged every aspects of the human nature—physically, emotionally, and most especially, spiritually, particularly our faith in God.
We ask for God’s mercy and guidance through the form of prayer. With this, it is an undeniable fact that we, as Catholics, also seek for the intercession of saints that they may pray for us in heaven just like a family member who also prays for us.
Dulia is the term of reverence we give to the saints denoting that we do not worship them, but we only give respect to them.
As we remember All Saints’ Day, here are the seven (7) saints to commemorate that would be beneficial for all kinds of healing.
- San Roque (Patron Saint against diseases and healer of contagion of all kinds)
San Roque, a French saint, caught a plague in Italy while caring for the sick causing him to be expelled from the town. He was saved by a hunting dog who gave him bread every day. When he recovered, he decided to devote himself caring for the sick. His feast day is celebrated every 16th of August.
Prayer to San Roque’s Intercession
O Blessed San Roque, patron of the sick, watch over those who lie upon a bed of suffering. Your power was so great when you were in this world, that by the sign of the Cross, many were healed of their diseases. Now that you are in heaven, your power is not less. Offer, then, to God our sighs and tears and obtain for us that health we seek especially at this time of great need when so many of our children have succumbed to the onslaught of dengue. Pray to God for us that we may be delivered from the scourges that afflict our communities and our world. Through your intercession, entreat God to preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and our souls from the contagion of sin. Assist us to make good use of our health, to bear suffering with patience; and, after your example, to live in the practice of penance and charity especially towards our sick brothers and sisters, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which you have merited by your kindness. through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
San Roque, pray for us, that we may be preserved from all diseases of body and soul. (3 times.)
- St. Anthony de Padua (Patron Saint for the recovery of lost items)
St. Anthony had a book of psalms that went missing so he thought that it was possibly stolen. He prayed for it to be found and then a novice returned the book. Today, he is known as the patron saint of lost things and also the saint of the poor, missing persons, travellers, and elderly with a feast day celebrated every June 13.
Prayer to St. Anthony de Padua’s Intercession
O Holy St Anthony, the gentlest and kindest of Saints, your burning love of God, your exalted virtue, and your great charity towards your fellow creatures, made you worthy, when on earth to possess miraculous powers such as were given to no other saint. Miracle waited on your word, and that word you were ever ready to speak at the request of those in trouble. The anxious prayer of bitter trial was never addressed to you in vain. To the sick you gave back health; you restored what was lost; the sorrow stricken were the objects of your tender compassion; even the dead you raised to life when the wounded heart cried out to you from the depths of its bitter anguish. When on earth nothing was impossible with you, except not to have compassion on those in distress and sorrow. Encouraged by this thought, and convinced of the efficacy of your holy intercession, we kneel before your holy image, and full of confidence, we implore you to obtain for us (here mention your request). The answer to this our prayer may require a miracle. Even so, are you not the Saint of Miracles, who, when on earth, had but to speak the mightiest wonders were wrought! O gentle and loving St Anthony, you whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whispers our prayer into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to linger in your arms. One word from you and our prayer will be granted. O, speak but that word and the gratitude of our heart will ever be yours!
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be.
- St. Dymphna (Patron Saint of Depression and Mental Illness)
With a feast day celebrated every May 15, St. Dymphna is an Irish Saint hailed as the patron saint of depression and mental illness. She was killed by her own father when he got mad from grief as a result of his wife’s death.
Prayer for St. Dymphna’s Intercession
Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need (mention it). Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request. (Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.) Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
- St. Peregrine (Patron Saint of Cancer Healing)
St. Peregrine, an Italian saint who had a cancerous leg, prayed in front of a crucifix on the night of her leg amputation and was miraculously healed. We celebrate her feast day every 4th of May.
Prayer for St. Peregrine’s Intercession
O great St. Peregrine, you have been called “The Mighty” and “The Wonder-Worker” because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you. (Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying) Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.
- St. Maximillian Kolbe (Patron Saint for Addictions)
With a feast day celebrated every 14th of August, St. Maximillian Kolbe volunteered to replace the prisoner who was sentenced to be locked in a bunker was killed. He initiated prayers and songs for the men in the bunker and was still alive days later. Then, he was finally given a lethal injection.
Prayer for St. Maximillian Kolbe’s Intercession
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, your life of love and labor for souls was sacrificed amid the horrors of a concentration camp and hastened to its end by an injection of a deadly drug. Look with compassion upon [name of person] who is now entrapped in addiction to drugs/alcohol and whom I now recommend to your powerful intercession. Having offered your own life to preserve that of a family man, I turn to you with trust, confident that you will understand and help. Obtain for me the grace never to withhold my love and understanding, or to fail in persevering prayer that the enslaving bonds of addiction may be broken and that full health may be restored to him, whom I love. I will never cease to be grateful to God who has helped me and heard your prayer for me. Amen.
- St. Lidwina (Patron Saint for those suffering from Chronic Pain)
Injured caused by her fall in ice skating, St. Lidwina was bedridden for the rest of her life and endured pain yet she constantly prayed during her the days of her suffering. We celebrate her feast day every April 14.
Prayer for St. Lidwina’s Intercession
St. Lidwina, in your sufferings you knew the weight of the cross. Please pray for all who are burdened in life. Teach us by your example to never waste one drop of pain, but to lovingly and courageously “offer it up” to our Lord, who patiently suffered for us. Amen.
- St. Jude (Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes)
St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, is actually one of Jesus’ relatives. It’s quite unsure how he became related with hopeless cases but it is undeniably true that his intercessory powers are miraculous. His feast day is celebrated on October 28th.
Prayer for St. Jude’s Intercession
Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope. Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request). I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.
These saints may have bitter life backgrounds which include their experiences of sickness, lost, death, and suffering. Like them, at some point of our lives, we also experience most of it which could not be always visible to the eyes. We could be suffering from any illnesses right now, feeling lost and empty, or feeling hopeless.
Asking for the intercession of the listed names in here out of the many saints could be very helpful to us. They could pray for our individual sorrow which are rooted many different reasons.
All of this, we pray, through the power of Jesus Christ.
Supporting article: 5 Patron Saints for Healing
