Readers talk about their favorite saints

Out of the hundreds of officially recognized saints honored by the church on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, who is your favorite?

In October, we asked Compass readers to tell us about their favorite saints. For many, the top saints are female. Of the 34 responses received, St. Ann, Joan of Arc and the Blessed Mother took up 11 votes. (Other favorite female saints included Cecelia, Elizabeth of Hungary, Mary Magdalene, Therese, Elizabeth Seton and Veronica.)

Favorite male saints included St. Joseph with four votes, and St. Jude and St. Anthony with two votes each.

Below are personal stories about saints. Remember to ask these saints -- and your personal favorites -- for their aid as we remember Christ's holy ones on Nov. 1.

I chose St. Ann, Jesus' grandmother, to be my favorite saint in honor of my own grandmother who raised me and my brother from our earliest years. Like St. Ann, she was a quiet, kind person doing good not for the glory or attention she could receive but to follow the teachings of Jesus.
--Margaret Shikowski, Manitowoc

My favorite saint is St. Blase. On Oct. 1, my grandma had surgery on her neck by her parathyroid. I was kind of afraid at first, but then I saw your little article and I said, "Hey, I'll look in my saint books (at the time, I didn't know about St. Blase). So I was lookin', lookin', lookin' and BOOM! St. Blase, perfect! So I read the short story about him, and then I thought he was even more perfect. I wasn't afraid anymore because I knew St. Blase would protect her. My grandma is all better and doing great.
--Sarah Noel Thiry, Holy Name of Jesus School, Kimberly

My favorite saint is St. Jude, the patron of hopeless cases. When things seem hopeless and I cannot seem to get going a prayer to St. Jude gives me hope that things will get better. Thank you, St. Jude.
--Betty Zipperer

St. Mary Magdalen. What an incredible woman! At a time in history when women were not recognized legally as witnesses, she was the witness! The witness to Jesus' crucifixion (Mark, Matthew and John). The witness to his burial (Mark and Matthew). And the witness to the Resurrected Christ (Mark, Matthew, Luke and John). All at great personal risk to herself when the male apostles had gone into hiding. I love her courage, her strength, her womanliness, her passion, her love, her faith and her modeling of a true believer. The "Apostle to the Apostles"!
--Helen Scieszka, Ph.D, pastoral associate, Chilton Catholic Ministry

At eight, my grandfather gave me a biography of Joan of Arc. This simple girl chosen by God to lead the effort to put the rightful king of France on the throne showed me God has a plan for each of our lives and there is more to life than meets the eye. Joan was gifted by the Holy Spirit with knowledge, wisdom and courage. Today we too are called to return a rightful king to his Throne. Come Lord Jesus, come!
--Sue Naniot, Green Bay

My favorite saint is St. Cecelia. She is the patron saint of music and also my patron saint. I love music, though I can't sing well but sing along in church always. My favorite song is "Hail Mary Gentle Woman." I sing it when I ride my exercise bike.
--Cecelia Jensen, Oshkosh

My favorite and very faithful saint is St. Jude. For many years I have asked and received favors. He was an apostle and a friend of Jesus. Since I had an accident and injured my back, I ask him to help me walk so I don't fall. My other saint I favor is St. Anthony. When I lose something, he finds it. I rely on God's will. If you need help, both are good -- always.
--Rose Mack, Omro

My husband and I and three preschool children were driving to our assignment at Ft. Eustace, Va., (in the 1950s) from Nebraska and in Indiana, pulling a trailer with cribs, high chairs, etc. A Cadillac speeding around the bend forced us off the road knocking the trailer over as I was asking St. Joseph's intercession for a safe trip. Immediately a farmer with tractor was arriving and helped us. Driving through the next night through mountains we arrived at our new home. Just as we stopped safely arrived, the hitch dropped. St. Joseph knows about traveling. So does Mary.
--Elaine Ryan, Green Bay

In September 1976, I was in the hospital recovering from serious surgery and on TV our Holy Father announced, "Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint," and from that time on she has been special to me.
--Liane Finnemore, Lakewood

My favorite saint is Padre Pio. Being a modern-day saint, we can all relate to him. He lived with the stigmata, so knew a lot about suffering. I like his motto, "Pray, hope and don't worry." Just follow these words and miracles can and will happen. He's known for them!
--Zoe Fameree, Green Bay

Where can I park? There is only one saint that answers this prayer for me. Dot! When I was driving her I can still hear Dot say, "If your sister was driving we would have a front spot." My prayer since her death is, "Dot, get me a spot." Try her, she never fails!
--Sr. Mary Jo Kirt, OSF, Bay Settlement

I once read an article in the Catholic Digest where the author chose to pray to St. Polycarp in case the very popular saints, such as Anthony, were too busy. Consequently, 40 years ago I began praying to St. Barhadbesciabas who was a deacon martyred in Persia in 355. May he intercede today for the vulnerable people of Iraq.
--Br. Austin Mysliwiec, OFM, Pulaski

My favorite saint is St. Anne. Ever since I was a little girl my mom got me hooked on saying nine Hail Mary's to St. Anne every Tuesday before noon. She said that if I did this I would get a good surprise before the next Tuesday. I've probably been doing it for 25 years and it never fails. It might be something very small or very significant but it always makes me believe!
--Brigid Gifford, Menasha

My favorite saint is the Curé d'Ars, St. John Vianney. He had great difficulties in his early education during the French Revolution because most schools were closed. St. John Vianney was ordained in August 1815 at age 29. Although some did not consider him very smart, God granted him many graces. One was to know what people's confessions were before they said them. So many people visited Ars and wanted to go to confession to this saint that he was in his confessional for 17 hours per day. He is my favorite because despite all the difficulty he had in achieving priesthood, the "desire of his heart" was realized!
--Bonnie Brien, Green Bay

St. Theresa has always been my favorite. When I ask her to go to God for a favor I get roses at a very unusual time or I smell roses. I have a large picture of her in my bedroom.
--Sally Chaloupka, Green Bay

It is St. Joseph whom I call upon to help me with the tasks around my home that I do not have the strength to deal with. He was the chosen protector and supporter of Mary and Jesus, God's own son. He has never failed me.
--Vivian Obey, Green Bay

Responses by 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at Mt. Carmel Academy, Green Bay, Susan Aerts, teacher:

My favorite saint is St. Veronica. She took off her veil and wiped Jesus' face when he was carrying the cross.
--Sarah Merkatoris

My favorite saint is St. Michael. I like St. Michael because he is my patron saint and he cast the devil into hell. I love St. Michael.
--Mike Marino

My favorite saint is St. Francis because he liked animals. Also because he helped the poor.
--Jonathan Zehms

My favorite saint is St. Joan of Arc. She was in a battle. She cut off all her hair and died for God. She was burned. Before she even thought about this stuff she was a very beautiful lady. Her mom was a very beautiful lady too.
--Shaina Brochard

My favorite saint is St. Pancratius because he was a martyr and a soldier of God.
--Jacob Shaw

My favorite saint is St. Peter. He was the first pope.
--Peter Coleman

My favorite saint is St. Maximilian Kolbe. He gave his life up for another person that had a family. They were all in prison, guards wanted to kill a prisoner, but the generous Maximilian Kolbe gave his life for him. After trying to starve him, he was put to death by poisoning.
--Dion Wojkiewicz

My favorite saint is St. Joan of Arc. She was very nice. Whenever I hear her, I feel something so special, like magic hit me. She was burned alive for God. I believe that St. Joan is very pretty. I hope that some day I will be pretty like her.
--Xochitl Marquez

Responses from religious education students at St. Mary of the Angels Parish, Green Bay:

I have two favorite saints, St. Anthony and Blessed Virgin Mary because whenever I lose something, I would pray to St. Anthony and I would find it not too long after. Also Blessed Virgin Mary because she was so generous for anything.
--Sara Thompson, Grade 6

My favorite saint is St. Joseph because we buried him in our backyard and our house sold.
--Zach Nellis, Grade 3

My favorite saint is St. Mary. She's my favorite because I was baptized at her church. I also like her prayer because it was one of the first prayers I learned. I also like how she was a nice and caring person. I also like her because she was Jesus' mother. I also like listening to stories about her.
--Dayna Nellis, age 11

My favorite saint is St. Thomas More because I went to that school and he's the first one I heard of.
--Alyssa Nellis, Grade 5

My favorite saint is Mary. I like Mary because she is Jesus' mom. I also like her prayer. I also like looking at her pictures. I also like listening to her stories at church. I like the name Mary.
--Kailey Nellis, age 6

Responses from children of St. Ann Parish, St. Anna:

I like St. Joseph because his name starts with the same letter as my little brother, me and my mom's middle name. I also like him because he was chosen as a carpenter.
--Jesse Gifford

My favorite saint is St. Anne because my church and town are named after St. Anne. You can always rely on St. Anne to help you through troubles.
--Katelyn Winkel

My favorite saint is St. Anne because Anne is my middle name. I also like her because St. Anne is the name of my church and town. I think that it is really nice that she is Jesus' grandmother.
--Jessica Schreiner

I like St. Michael because my middle name is Michael and my Dad's name is Michael. He is now a guardian angel.
--Ryan Schmitz

My favorite saint is St. Elizabeth because by the age of 13 she was married by Prince Louis and became Princess of Hungary. I also like her because she has the same name as me.
--Beth Draeger