St. Expeditus (often called St. Expedite) is invoked in urgent needs and against procrastination. According to tradition he was a Roman centurion martyred in Armenia in the early fourth century. When he decided to become a Christian, the devil, in the form of a crow, cried cras, cras, “tomorrow, tomorrow”; Expeditus crushed it underfoot and answered, “Today!” (hodie). He is usually pictured holding a cross with the word Hodie and stepping on a crow.
Below are prayers to St. Expeditus for an urgent cause and for the courage to act today, what we know about him, and a word of caution about some popular practices.
A prayer to St. Expeditus for an urgent need
Written for this page:
St. Expeditus, soldier of Christ, you did not delay in answering God’s call.
I come to you with an urgent need: (name your intention).
Ask the Lord, if it is his will, to help me quickly,
and give me peace and trust in his timing.
St. Expeditus, pray for me. Amen.
A prayer against procrastination
St. Expeditus, you answered “Today!” when the tempter said “Tomorrow.”
Help me not to put off what God is asking of me:
the prayer I neglect, the confession I delay,
the reconciliation I avoid, the work I keep postponing.
Give me the grace to begin today. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page. See also how to go to confession.
A short invocation
St. Expeditus, pray for me today.
Who was St. Expeditus?
Very little is known about him historically. Old martyrologies list a martyr named Expeditus at Melitene in Armenia, with companions, on April 19, probably under Diocletian around 303. His popularity grew from the eighteenth century, especially in Italy, Germany, France, Réunion, Brazil and New Orleans, perhaps partly because of his name, which suggests speed. He is not on the General Roman Calendar.
A word of caution
Some popular customs around St. Expeditus (for example “paying” him with a slice of pound cake or flowers, publishing a notice, or treating the prayer as guaranteed to work by a certain deadline) can slip into superstition. The Church teaches that prayer is a trusting request to God through the saints, not a transaction or a formula (Catechism 2111). Thank God and the saint for favors received, and give to the poor.
Frequently asked questions
What is St. Expeditus the patron saint of?
Urgent causes, procrastinators, students taking exams, and those who need a quick solution.
When is St. Expeditus’s feast day?
April 19, in the Roman Martyrology tradition and in local devotion.
Is St. Expeditus a real saint?
He is honored as a martyr in older martyrologies, and devotion to him is widespread and tolerated, though historical details are uncertain.
More saints for difficult needs
- Catholic prayer for a miracle
- Patron saint of lost causes
- The St. Jude novena
- The St. Rita prayer
- Patron saints: the complete list
Texts and sources
- Roman Martyrology (older editions), April 19.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2111.
- The prayers were written for this page.