The principal patroness of France is the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Assumption, and France’s secondary patrons are St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, named by the popes in 1922 and 1944. Older patrons are honored too: St. Denis, the first bishop of Paris; St. Martin of Tours, the soldier-bishop; St. Rémi, who baptized King Clovis; and the holy king St. Louis IX. France, baptized with Clovis around the year 500, has long been called “the eldest daughter of the Church.” Below are the patron saints of France, why each was chosen, and a prayer for France.
A short prayer for France, written for this page:
Holy Mary, assumed into heaven, patroness of France,
St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse, pray for the French people.
May the eldest daughter of the Church rediscover her faith,
and may her saints inspire a new generation to follow Christ. Amen.
Our Lady of the Assumption, principal patroness
In 1638 King Louis XIII, whose queen was at last expecting a long-awaited heir, consecrated himself and his kingdom to the Virgin Mary and ordered a procession every year on the feast of the Assumption, August 15. In 1922 Pope Pius XI officially declared Our Lady of the Assumption the principal patroness of France. August 15 is still a national holiday in France, and processions in her honor are held across the country. See the Assumption of Mary.
St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse, secondary patronesses
- St. Joan of Arc (1412–1431), the peasant girl who led the French army to raise the siege of Orléans and crowned the king at Reims, was burned at the stake and canonized in 1920. In 1922 Pius XI named her secondary patroness of France. Her feast is May 30. See the St. Joan of Arc prayer.
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), the young Carmelite of the “Little Way,” was named secondary patroness of France, equal to St. Joan, by Pius XII in 1944. Her feast is October 1. See the St. Thérèse prayer.
Other patron saints of France
| Saint | Why | Feast |
|---|---|---|
| St. Denis | First bishop of Paris, martyred on Montmartre in the third century | October 9 |
| St. Martin of Tours | Soldier who shared his cloak, monk and bishop | November 11 |
| St. Rémi | Bishop of Reims who baptized King Clovis about 496 | October 1 |
| St. Louis IX | The holy king of France, crusader and friend of the poor | August 25 |
| St. Michael the Archangel | Protector of France since the Middle Ages, honored at Mont-Saint-Michel | September 29 |
See St. Martin of Tours and the St. Michael prayer.
Places of pilgrimage in France
France has given the Church some of its best-loved shrines: Our Lady of Lourdes, where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858; the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, where she appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830; Lisieux, home of St. Thérèse; Paray-le-Monial, where the Sacred Heart appeared to St. Margaret Mary; Ars, the parish of St. John Vianney; and Mont-Saint-Michel.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of France?
The principal patroness is Our Lady of the Assumption; St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse of Lisieux are secondary patronesses.
Is St. Denis the patron saint of France?
Yes, St. Denis, first bishop of Paris, was long honored as a patron of France and is the patron of Paris. Today the official patrons are Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse.
Why is France called the eldest daughter of the Church?
Because Clovis, king of the Franks, was baptized about 496, making the Franks the first barbarian people to embrace the Catholic faith.