Sometimes it can be difficult to navigate through the temptations of day-to-day life. This is why we wear patron saint medals; to invoke the wisdom of the saints to help guide us past the pitfalls we might otherwise fall into. Each of us has our own set of problems and pitfalls to deal with in life, and so each of us needs our own patron saint. So, how do you find the right patron saint medal for you? Its easy! There are literally hundreds of saints, and with so many to choose from you can be sure that youll find a saint medal that perfectly represents you.

Examples of patron saints:

There are many patron saints depicted on saint medals. To choose the right one for you, you must simply find the one that best represents you and your life. Here are a few examples of patron saints:

St. Francis of Assisi: born c. 1181 in Assisi, Italy. In 1206 St. Francis made a pilgrimage to Rome, and upon his return devoted his life to poverty and the care of the sick. In 1209 he founded the Franciscan order, and in 1224 he received the stigmata. He died in 1226, and was canonized in 1228. St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals, ecology, and peace.

St. Patrick: born c. 389 somewhere in Roman Britain. At the age of sixteen St. Patrick was captured by Irish raiders, and held captive for six years. He was consecrated a bishop by St. Germanus c. 432, and returned to Ireland to succeed St. Paulinus. St. Patrick is well known for converting the Irish to Christianity. He died c. 461. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and excluded people.

St. Helena: born c. 250 at Drepanum, Bithynia. She married the Roman General Constantius Chlorus c. 270, and gave birth to Constantine, who would later become Emperor of Rome, c. 280. In 313 Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, permitting Christianity in the Roman Empire. Around the same time St. Helena converted to Christianity. She traveled to Palestine c. 324, and while there is reputed to have discovered the True Cross. She died c. 330 and was buried at Constantinople. St. Helena is the patron saint of archeologists and converts.

St. Christopher: according to legend St. Christopher was an ugly giant who made his living carrying people across a river. It was his quest to find someone more powerful than himself, and, after many years of searching, he decided that this could only be Christ, since the devil feared the Savior. One day, while carrying a child across the river, the child grew so heavy that St. Christopher feared that they would be drowned. The child then revealed that he was Christ, and that the heaviness was the weight of the world He was carrying on His shoulders. St. Christopher is reputed to have died in Lycia c. 251. St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.

St. Dominic: born 1170 at Calaruega, Spain. St. Dominic was appointed canon at Osma in 1199. In 1206 he founded an institute for women in the Albigensian territory of Prouille. In 1214 he founded an order to convert the Albigensian heretics. In 1215 he founded the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans. Saint Dominic died in 1221 and was canonized in 1234. Legend says that Dominic received a vision of a beggar who, like Dominic, would do great things for the Faith. Dominic met the beggar the next day. He embraced him and said, "You are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us." The beggar was Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers, scientists, and the falsely accused.

St. Michael: St. Michael is one of three angels, with Gabriel and Raphael, liturgically venerated by the Church. He is the leader of the Heavenly Host, and the Archangel who cast Lucifer from Heaven. St. Michael is the patron saint of artists, bakers, bankers, knights, mariners, ambulance drivers, paramedics, and battle.

St. Jude: St. Jude was the brother of St. James, the nephew of Mary and Joseph, and first cousin of Jesus Christ. It was St. Jude who anointed Christs body after the Crucifixion. After Christs death, Jude preached in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia where he was martyred, along with St. Simeon. St. Jude is the patron saint of hospitals and lost causes.

These are just a few examples of the many patron saints. There are so many saints, representing so many different aspects of life, that youll have no problem finding the right saint medal to represent you. Here is a good page to view the different types of patron saint medals.

Where is the best place to purchase patron saint medals:

To get an idea of the different styles and prices that are available in patron saint medals it is more convenient to view them online before shopping around at local jewelry stores.

Retail jewelers will sometimes carry a small selection of saint medals, but you are more apt to find a greater selection online. Just type "patron saint medals " into an Internet search engine like Google or Yahoo and you will find several reliable websites that specialize in patron saint medals.

The cost of patron saint medals is dependant upon many variables. In solid 14K yellow or white gold, patron saint medals should cost between $40 and $200, depending on the size.

The guidance of the saints:

We all could use a little help sometimes; a guiding hand to steer us through lifes pitfalls. Our patron saints are the ones we turn to in our times of need. Our patron saints are the ones who offer us the guidance we seek. This is the reason we wear saint medals; to honor and revere our patron saints.