Catholics have long asked particular saints to pray for good weather: St. Medard, the French bishop sheltered from the rain by an eagle, for rain and harvests; St. Scholastica, who called down a thunderstorm by her prayer; St. Barbara, against lightning; and St. Clare, to whom brides in Spain and the Philippines still bring eggs for a sunny wedding day. The Church also has her own prayers for rain, for fair weather and against storms, prayed for centuries at Mass and on the Rogation Days. Below are the patron saints of weather, the traditional prayers from the 1916 missal, and Catholic prayers for protection from storms.
A short prayer for good weather, written for this page:
Lord of heaven and earth, the winds and the sea obey you.
Send us the weather we need: rain for the land, sun for the harvest,
and protect us from storms, floods and every danger. Amen.
Patron saints of weather
| For | Patron saint | Feast |
|---|---|---|
| Rain, good harvests and weather in general | St. Medard | June 8 |
| Rain (in England) | St. Swithun | July 15 |
| Thunderstorms and rain | St. Scholastica | February 10 |
| Lightning and storms | St. Barbara | December 4 |
| Fair weather | St. Clare of Assisi | August 11 |
| Floods and fire | St. Florian | May 4 |
| Calming storms at sea | St. Nicholas; Our Lady, Star of the Sea | December 6 |
- St. Medard (about 456–545), bishop of Noyon in France, is the classic patron of weather. A legend says that as a boy he was sheltered from a downpour by an eagle spreading its wings over him. French farmers still say that if it rains on St. Medard’s day, it will rain for forty days.
- St. Swithun, a ninth-century bishop of Winchester, plays the same role in England, where an old rhyme warns that if it rains on his feast, July 15, it will rain for forty days.
- St. Scholastica, the sister of St. Benedict, wanted him to stay and talk through the night; when he refused, she prayed, and such a storm broke out that he could not leave. St. Gregory the Great tells the story in his Dialogues. See the St. Scholastica prayer.
- St. Barbara, whose cruel father was killed by lightning after he put her to death, is invoked against lightning and sudden death. See the St. Barbara prayer.
- St. Clare, whose name means “clear” or “bright,” is asked for clear skies; in Spain and the Philippines couples bring eggs to her convents before their weddings. See the St. Clare prayer.
- St. Florian, patron against fire and flood. See the St. Florian prayer.
The Church’s traditional prayers for the weather
These prayers are from the “Prayers for Various Needs” in the 1916 daily missal, which the Church used at Mass in times of drought, heavy rain or storms.
For rain
O God in whom we live, move, and have our being, grant us seasonable showers, that, assisted by a sufficiency of the goods of this life we may the more confidently long for those that last for ever.
For fair weather
Graciously hear, O Lord, our cry to thee and grant to our humble prayers pleasant weather that we who are justly afflicted for our sins may by thy preventive mercy experience thy favor.
Against storms
From thy household, O Lord, we beseech thee, drive away the spirits of evil and let pass the danger of tempests of the air.
And the prayer after Communion from the same Mass:
O almighty everlasting God, who dost heal us by chastisement and keep us safe by forgiveness, grant thy suppliants to rejoice in the tranquillity and comfort we long for, and avail ourselves always of thy gift of piety.
The Litany of the Saints also asks, “From lightning and tempest, O Lord, deliver us.” See the Litany of the Saints.
Catholic prayers for storms
Written for this page.
During a storm
Lord Jesus, you calmed the wind and the sea with a word.
Calm this storm, protect our home and everyone in it,
keep safe all who are out in it, and give us peace in the dark.
St. Barbara, pray for us. Amen.
Before a hurricane
Father, we place our homes, our families and our neighbors in your hands.
Turn this storm aside if it is your will, protect all who are in its path,
guide those who rescue and rebuild, and keep us united and generous. Amen.
For rain in a drought
Lord, our land is dry and our crops are suffering.
Through the prayers of St. Medard, send us gentle, steady rain,
and help us to care for the earth and share its fruits with those in need. Amen.
See also the Catholic prayer for protection.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of weather?
St. Medard, bishop of Noyon, whose feast is June 8, is the best-known patron of weather.
Who is the patron saint of good weather?
St. Clare of Assisi is invoked for clear, fair weather, especially for weddings.
Who is the patron saint of storms?
St. Barbara and St. Scholastica are invoked during storms, St. Barbara especially against lightning.
More prayers
- Catholic prayer for protection
- St. Barbara prayer
- St. Scholastica prayer
- St. Florian prayer
- St. Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners
- Unusual patron saints
Texts and sources
- The Mass Every Day of the Year (1916), Prayers for Various Needs: For Rain, For Fair Weather, Against Storms, public domain (archive.org).