Last Updated on October 17, 2022 by Ginny Kochis

Choosing a saint posse for your child can be a daunting task, especially if your child has a number of interests and talents. Fortunately, the Catholic Church has literally thousands of holy men and women who have been elevated to sainthood. Here are 100 saints perfect for exceptional Catholic kids (snag the patron saint family toolkit here.) 

As a Catholic mom to three exceptional kids, I know I can’t raise them alone. Without even taking into account the struggles that come with being differently-wired, I want to make sure my children become the people God fully intended them to be.

One of the great things about being Catholic, though, is the vast heavenly support system we have courtesy of the Saints. These amazing intercessors are the perfect patrons for our exceptional kids, no matter their interests, strengths, or areas for growth.

100 Perfect Patron Saints for Exceptional Catholic Kids

Saints for Kids Who are Artists

St. Catherine of Bologna

Born the daughter of wealthy aristocrats in the 15th century, St. Catherine of Bologna received instruction in reading, writing, singing, and drawing but excelled in painting and portraiture.

St. Theodore the Studite

During the 10th century, St. Theodore started a school for monastic calligraphers and was well known for his defense of iconography.

St. John Damascene

In 726, the Byzantine Empire outlawed the use of icons. St. John Damascene argued against this, making a clear distinction between worship and veneration.

St. Ultan of Crayke

St. Ultan of Crayke was an Irish monk and Abbot who excelled in illuminating manuscripts

St. Relindis of Eyck

St. Relindis of Eyck was a French nun during the 8th century. She spent her free time practicing painting and embroidery

St. Lazarus of Zographos

A Byzantine saint, Lazarus was a celebrated iconographer, often referred to as the very first of his trade.

St. Albert Chmielowski

A Polish artist who reached celebrity status in the 19th century, St. Albert Chmielowski abandoned his career as a painter and devoted his life to the poor. painter

Blessed Maria Mercedes Prat

Martyred for her vocation in 1963, Blessed Maria Mercedes Prat was a was a Spanish nun who displayed talent in needlework and embroidery

Blessed Fra Angelico

Fra Angelico was a prominent and prolific 15th-century painter. His work remains displayed in churches and museums around the world.

Blessed Andrew Abellon

Andrew Abellon was a 15th-century painter and French Roman Catholic priest who devoted his life to caring for victims of the Plague.

Saints for Kids Who Are Musicians 

St. Romanus the Melodist

A mid-6th-century Orthodox monk who composed thousands of hymns, despite being a struggling reader himself.

St. Hildegard of Bingen

This remarkable 12th-century saint could probably fit into every category in this post; she is the true picture of the Renaissance woman. However, Hildegard was well known for her musical compositions, which is why I’ve placed her here.

St. Andrew of Crete

Completely silent until the age of seven, St. Andrew went on to compose the Great Kanon, an important part of the Byzantine liturgy.

St. Cecilia

St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians. Virgin and martyr of the early Church, she was said to have had a sweet, beautiful voice which demonstrated her heart for God

St. Venantius Fortunatus

A 6th-century bishop and poet, St. Venatius composed two of the most beautiful hymns of the Catholic church, one of which inspired St. Thomas Aquinas to write his own.

St. Nicetas of Remesiana

This 5th century Bishop is believed to have been the author of Te Deum.

Bl. Alvaro Ibanez Lazaro

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War after having taken his vows and the name Brother Florencio Martin, Blessed Alvaro Ibanez Lazaro was a popular teacher known for his talent in voice.

Blessed Maria Dina Bélanger

A Canadian sister from the early 20th century, Blessed Maria Dina Belanger attended what is now Julliard prior to her life as a religious.

Blessed Francisco Bandrés Sánchez

A compatriot of Blessed Alvaro and another martyr of the Spanish Civil War, Blessed Francisco Bandres Sanchez was a Salesian priest and musician.

Blessed Giovanni Giovenale Ancina

Blessed Giovanni Giovenale Ancina was born in 1945. He was both a talented musician and a doctor before joining St. Philip Neri’s religious order.

Saints for Kids Who Struggle with Anxiety, Doubt, and Depression 

St. Catherine of Bologna

Mentioned previously for her artistic talents, St. Catherine of Bologna is also the patron saint of those who doubt.

St. Flora of Beaulieu

St. Flora was a 14th-century religious and mystic. She suffered a period of deep depression but kept her eyes fixed on Christ.

St. Ignatius Loyola

St. Ignatius became an expert in the area of spiritual direction after experiencing his own descent into darkness. He coined the terms desolation and consolation, those feelings which alternately tear us and bind us to Christ.

St. John of the Cross

A proponent of material and spiritual detachment, St. John of the Cross wrote a poem titled “The Dark Night of the Soul.” In it, St. John explores a form of spiritual dryness which cleanses the soul and ultimately brings us closer to Christ.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Probably the most well-known saint of all time, Mother Teresa of Calcutta experienced a decades-long period of spiritual dryness during which she believed she had been abandoned by God. However, Mother Teresa persevered in her work and never wavered in her support of the poor and the unborn.

St. Jane de Chantal

A friend and contemporary of St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane struggled a great deal with anxiety and depression and had a hard time learning to forgive.

St. Dymphna

The patron saint of mental illness, Dymphna was murdered by her own father in a fit of grief-stricken rage.

St. Benedict Joseph Labre

Devastated by his inability to enter the priesthood (lack of education and financial means were at fault), St. Benedict lived the life of a beggar and shared everything he had with the poor.

St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross spent decades in an interior battle with the devil in which he experienced utter desolation and desperate thoughts.

St. Christina the Astonishing

A 12th-century mystic who near-death experience allowed her a glimpse of hell. When she came back to life, many regarded her stories as unbelievable and believed Christina to be out of her mind.

Saints for Kids Who Are Writers

St. David of Wales

6th-century priest often referred to as the patron saint of writers

St. Augustine

With one of the most inspiring conversion stories of all time, St. Augustine was also a prolific writer and doctor of the Church.

St. Teresa of Avila

One of only a few female doctors of the Church, St. Teresa wrote a number of works including the well-known Interior Castle.

St. Francis de Sales

This 17th-century writer and founder of the Salesian order was a true man of letters. In his later life, St. Francis wrote between 20 and 30 pieces of personal correspondence a day, primarily as a form of spiritual direction and encouragement.

St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas was a philosopher, theologian, and accomplished poet. His poems O Salutaris Hostia and Tantum Ergo Sacramentum are used during Adoration.

St. Luke the Evangelist

A member of the early church, St. Luke wrote more of the New Testament than any other writer.

St. Paul the Apostle

A prolific letter writer, his work is encouraging and poetic.

St. Edmund Rich

A 13th-century priest who was an accomplished writer and speaker.

St. Robert Southwell

A martyr of England, St. Robert Southwell was a priest, author, poet, and publisher.

St. Therese of Lisieux

The LIttle Flower was also a writer, poet, and playwright, even acting in several of her own plays.

Saints for Kids Who Are Makers

St. Dunstan of Canterbury

A 10th-century abbot and Bishop, St. Dunstan was a metalworker and artisan.

St. Conleth of Kildare

St. Conleth of Kildare, Ireland was an artisan skilled in working with gold and silver

St. Tutilo of Gaul

St. Tutilo was a true renaissance man. Among his training in music and scholarship, Tulito was also a metal worker and mechanic.

Sts. Proculus and Maximus of Illyria

4th century stone cutters and sculptors who literally and figuratively built up the church

Blessed Thiemo of Salzburg

Blessed Thiemo was a metal worker and sculptor eventually elected abbot of Salzburg in the 11th century.

Blessed James Grissinger 

A former military man turned Dominican lay. After his military career, Grissinger worked in stained glass and painted the windows of Churches.

Blessed Claudio Granzotto

Blessed Claudio Granzotto was a 20th century Italian religious and sculptor.

Blessed Alexandre Planas Sauri 

Another martyr of the Spanish Civil War, Blessed Alexandre was a deaf lay Salesian and noted sculptor.

Venerable Octavio Ortiz Arrieta

Originally trained as a carpenter under the Salesians, Venerable Octavio entered the priesthood and devoted his life to the poor.

Saints for Kids Who are Athletes

St. Sebastian

Roman martyr and traditional patron saint of athletes.

John Paul the Great

Arguably one of the most beloved popes of the modern era, John Paul the Great was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hiking, skiing, and other outdoor sports.

St. Brendan the Navigator

St. Brendan is a 5th-century Irish saint who is purported to have sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in search of the Garden of Eden. He is the patron saint of boaters.

Bl Giorgio Frassati

The son of wealthy newspaper owners in Turin, Italy, Bl Giorgio Frassati enjoyed hiking and other outdoor activities while devoting his life to the poor.

Venerable Michael McGivney

The founder of the Knights of Columbus enjoyed playing a number of sports.

Joan of Arc

While Joan is not typically associated with athletes, I’m going to include her here. She led an army at the age of 18. That’s pretty athletic if you ask me.

Bl Chiara Badano

Blessed Chiara is the first person beatified from Generation X. An accomplished tennis player, Chiara died of bone cancer at the age of 19.

St. Bernard of Menthon

St. Bernard was an 11th-century priest who traveled the Swiss Alps on foot

St. Ann

The mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Ann is the patron saint of women in equestrian sports.

St. Barbara

This 3rd-century saint is the patroness of riflery.

Saints for Kids Who Love Nature and Animals

Francis of Assisi

This gentle saint abandoned a life of glory to serve the poor and the meek, including the animals.

St. Hubert

The patron saint of hunters, St. Hubert is often pictured in the wilderness preaching to the deer.

St. Philip Neri

Like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Philip Neri loved animals. He is well known for his affection for them.

St. Kateri

Canonized in 2012, St. Kateri is the patron saint of ecology.

St. Gianna

Though St. Gianna is typically known for her role as wife, doctor, and mother, St. Gianna also enjoyed spending time outdoors with her family.

St. Francis Caracciolo

Patron saint of Italian cooks, St. Francis enjoyed hunting and spending time outdoors

St. Kevin of Glendalough

St. Kevin was an extraordinary miracle worker. He found his friends among the animals in the forest.

St. Francisco Marto

One of the three children at Fatima, St. Francisco had a special affinity for animals.

St. Martin de Porres

After discovering a large number of mice had taken up residence in the convent where he worked, St. Martin led the colony outside and struck a deal. He promised to feed them once a day if they stayed out of the convent.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Legend has it this Orthodox saint befriended a bear!

Saints for Kids Who are Headstrong

St. Emil Kaupan

This US Army chaplain served Mass on the battlefield, even while seriously ill.

St. Jerome Emiliani

A 15th-century saint who devoted his life to the sick and the poor, Jerome Emiliani turned his headstrong insistence that he didn’t need God into a deep devotion to the faith. 

St. Moses the Black

Moses the Black’s early life was spent mired in violent crime. But a drastic conversion resulted in his entrance to a monastery and a life devoted to God.

St. Nicholas

The inspiration for Santa Claus, St. Nicholas was also a vocal defender of the faith against the Aryan heresy, even spending time in jail for his efforts.

St. Padre Pio

This 20th-century Italian saint received the stigmata, could bilocate, and endured physical confrontations with the devil.

St. Teresa of Avila

Determined to set the world on fire, a young St. Teresa tried to convince her brother to seek martyrdom at the hands of the Moors.

St. Jerome

This 4th-century religious translated the Bible into Latin, the first edition accessible to the common man.

St. Therese of Lisieux,  Blessed Leonie Martin, and their mother, St. Zelie Martin

The Martin family produced several headstrong women, chief among them St. Therese the Little Flower and her sister, Blessed Leonie. Their mother, Zelie, raised them with patience, and a quiet, simple devotion to the Lord.

Saints for Gifted Kids

St. Abbo of Fleury

This 11th-century martyr, historian, scientist, and mathematician studied number theory – before Arabic numerals were introduced.

Blessed Herman the Cripple

The picture of multi-potentiality, Blessed Herman studied and wrote on everything from theology to math and the sciences.

St. Thomas Aquinas

An incredibly learned man and talented writer, St. Thomas Aquinas is now a Doctor of the Church

St. Albert the Great

Incredibly curious and a lifelong student, St. Albert the Great wrote a treatise on a number of scientific subjects within the natural world.

St. Thomas More

A talented lawyer and writer, St. Thomas More gave his life in service of the Church.

St. Robert Bellarmine

This 16th century Jesuit was a central figure in the Counter-Reformation

St. Catherine of Siena

One of the few female Doctors of the Church, St. Catherine of Siena was a scholar, philosopher, and third order Dominican.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

The patron saint of teachers, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton devoted her life to Catholic education

St. Hilary of Poitiers

A gentle, humble defender of the faith, frequently referred to as “the Hammer of the Aryans.”

St. Alphonsus Liguori

St. Alphonsus Liguori was a brilliant theologian and founder of the Redemptorist order

Saints for Kids Who are Twice-Exceptional

St. Joseph Cupertino

Given to fits of ecstasy no one could understand, St. Joseph of Cupertino shared a special mystical relationship with God.

Servant of God Brother Juniper

A follower of St. Francis, Brother Juniper was a simple man who often took things very literally

St. Thorlak

St. Thorlak of Iceland exhibited many of the traits of a person with autism.

St. Bartholomew the Apostle

One of the 12 Apostles, St. Bartholomew is the patron saint of neurological disorders

St. Philomena

Martyred at the age of 13, St. Philomena is the patron saint of children

Blessed Margaret of Castillo

Blessed Margaret was abandoned by her parents after they learned of her disabilities.

St. Maximilian Kolbe

The hero of Auschwitz was pretty unorganized. He’s the perfect saint for kids who struggle with executive function.

St. Benedict

Another great saint for those who struggle with Executive Function, St. Benedict followed a very orderly rule of life

St. Anthony

As the patron saint of lost items, St. Anthony is a helpful saint in the home of an exceptional family

St. Zita

St. Zita worked as a maid. Asking for her intercession might help the less orderly occupants of your home keep their areas a little cleaner.

Need Help Picking a Patron?

I’ve got you covered. Check out the Patron Saint Family Toolkit – the perfect guide to help you discern the right posse for your child. 

There truly is a perfect patron saint for every exceptional Catholic kid.

Believe it or not, this list only scratches the surface. You can check this patron saint index for more ideas, or head over to this post on choosing your child’s patron saint!

Did you find a saint that was new to you? Have one to add? Let me know in the comments – I’m always on the lookout for more.

 

Enjoy this post? Read on:

Choosing Your Child’s Patron Saint (Because Your Kid Needs a Posse)

5 Saints Perfect for Strong-Willed Girls (And Their Moms)

3 Saints Perfect for Strong-Willed Boys (And Their Moms)

Saint Books for Catholic Kids