The patron saint of children is St. Nicholas of Myra, the fourth-century bishop whose secret gifts to the poor and care for children made him the model for Santa Claus. Other saints watch over children at every stage: the Holy Innocents over babies and infants, St. Gerard Majella over children not yet born, St. Jerome Emiliani over orphans, and every child’s own guardian angel. Below are the patron saints of children, babies and kids, what each one is invoked for, Scripture on children, and a prayer to the patron saints for your children.
A short prayer for children, written for this page:
St. Nicholas, friend of children, and all you holy patrons of the young,
pray for our children: keep them safe in body and soul,
help them to grow in faith, wisdom and kindness,
and lead them always closer to Jesus. Amen.
St. Nicholas, patron saint of children
Nicholas was bishop of Myra, in what is now Turkey, in the early fourth century. The best-known story about him tells how he secretly threw bags of gold through the window of a poor man’s house at night, so that the man’s three daughters would have dowries and not be sold into slavery. Other legends tell of children he saved from danger and death. Because of his generosity and love for the young, he became the patron saint of children throughout Europe, and on his feast, December 6, children in many countries still find gifts in their shoes. In America, “Sinterklaas” became Santa Claus. See the St. Nicholas prayer.
Patron saints of children, babies and kids
| For | Patron saint | Feast |
|---|---|---|
| Children in general | St. Nicholas of Myra | December 6 |
| Babies and infants | The Holy Innocents | December 28 |
| Unborn children and expectant mothers | St. Gerard Majella; St. Gianna Beretta Molla | October 16; April 28 |
| Childbirth | St. Raymond Nonnatus; St. Margaret of Antioch | August 31; July 20 |
| Orphans and abandoned children | St. Jerome Emiliani | February 8 |
| Young people and students | St. John Bosco; St. Dominic Savio | January 31; May 6 |
| First Communicants | Blessed Imelda Lambertini | May 12 |
| Purity and young girls | St. Maria Goretti; St. Agnes | July 6; January 21 |
| Sick children | The Infant Jesus of Prague | (devotion) |
| Every child | Their Guardian Angel | October 2 |
- The Holy Innocents, the baby boys of Bethlehem killed by King Herod, are honored as the first martyrs and the patrons of babies. See the Holy Innocents.
- St. Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537), a Venetian soldier who gave his life to caring for orphans, was named universal patron of orphans and abandoned children by Pope Pius XI in 1928.
- St. Gerard Majella, patron of mothers and of children not yet born. See the St. Gerard prayer.
- St. John Bosco and his student St. Dominic Savio, who died at fourteen, for boys and girls growing up. See the St. John Bosco prayer.
- The Infant Jesus of Prague, especially invoked for sick children. See the Infant of Prague novena.
- The Guardian Angels, given by God to every child. See the Guardian Angel prayer.
Scripture on children
Children are a gift from God (Psalm 126:3, Douay-Rheims; Psalm 127 in modern Bibles):
Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.
And Jesus welcomed them (Matthew 19:14):
But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such.
Prayers to the patron saints of children
Written for this page.
A parent’s prayer for their children
Heavenly Father, I give my children back to you, for they were always yours.
Through the prayers of St. Nicholas and all the patrons of children,
protect them from harm, guide their choices, heal their hurts,
and keep them close to you all the days of their lives. Amen.
For a sick child
Holy Infant Jesus, you know what it is to be a child.
Look with love on (name), who is sick.
Give (him/her) healing, comfort and peace, and give us strength and hope. Amen.
For orphans and children without a family
St. Jerome Emiliani, father of orphans,
pray for every child who has no one to care for them.
Send them loving homes, good foster and adoptive parents, and the knowledge that God loves them. Amen.
See also the Catholic prayer for children and the prayer for a newborn baby.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of children?
St. Nicholas of Myra, whose feast is December 6.
Who is the patron saint of babies and infants?
The Holy Innocents, the babies of Bethlehem martyred by Herod, whose feast is December 28.
Who is the patron saint of orphans?
St. Jerome Emiliani, named universal patron of orphans and abandoned children by Pope Pius XI in 1928.
Who is the patron saint of childbirth?
St. Raymond Nonnatus, who was delivered by caesarean section after his mother died, and St. Margaret of Antioch. Expectant mothers also pray to St. Gerard Majella.
More prayers for families
- Patron saints of family
- Patron saint of mothers
- Catholic prayer for children
- St. Nicholas prayer
- Guardian Angel prayer
- Holy Innocents
Texts and sources
- Psalm 126:3 and Matthew 19:14 (Douay-Rheims).