St. Timothy was the young companion and “dearly beloved son” of St. Paul, the first bishop of Ephesus, and the man to whom Paul wrote two of the letters of the New Testament. Raised in the faith by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, he traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys and was martyred about the year 97. Because Paul advised him to “use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake,” he is invoked by people with stomach and digestive problems. His feast, with St. Titus, is January 26. Below are his story, Paul’s words to him, and prayers to St. Timothy for stomach ailments, young leaders and the faith of families.
A short prayer to St. Timothy, written for this page:
St. Timothy, faithful disciple of St. Paul,
you served the Church bravely though you were young and often sick.
Pray for me in my weakness and illness,
and help me to fight the good fight of faith. Amen.
Who was St. Timothy?
Timothy was born at Lystra, in Asia Minor, to a Greek father and a Jewish-Christian mother, Eunice. St. Paul met him on his second missionary journey, about the year 50, and took him as his companion. Timothy traveled with Paul through Macedonia and Greece, was sent on missions to Thessalonica and Corinth, and is named as co-author of six of Paul’s letters. Paul called him “my dearly beloved son” and trusted him as no one else: “I have no man so of the same mind” (Philippians 2:20). Paul left him in charge of the Church at Ephesus, and according to tradition he was its first bishop. He was stoned to death by a pagan crowd about 97 for opposing a festival of the goddess Diana.
St. Paul’s words to Timothy
Paul reminded him of the faith he received from his family (2 Timothy 1:5–7, Douay-Rheims):
Calling to mind that faith which is in thee unfeigned, which also dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am certain that in thee also.
For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of sobriety.
And he encouraged him (1 Timothy 6:11–12):
But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.
Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.
Why is St. Timothy invoked for stomach problems?
Timothy seems to have suffered from poor health, and Paul gave him practical advice (1 Timothy 5:23):
Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thy frequent infirmities.
For this reason Christians have long asked St. Timothy’s prayers for stomach and digestive disorders and for those with frequent illnesses.
Prayers to St. Timothy
Written for this page.
For stomach and digestive problems
St. Timothy, you knew the weakness of frequent illness.
Pray for me in my stomach pain and digestive troubles.
Ask the Lord to heal me, to guide my doctors,
and to give me patience and trust while I suffer. Amen.
For young people in leadership
St. Timothy, Paul told you, “Let no man despise thy youth.”
Pray for young priests, teachers and leaders,
that they may be examples of faith, charity and purity. Amen.
For the faith of grandmothers and mothers
Lord, thank you for Lois and Eunice, who passed on the faith to Timothy.
Bless the grandparents and parents who teach our children to pray,
and let the faith they plant grow strong. Amen.
Feast day
The memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops, is January 26, the day after the Conversion of St. Paul, the apostle they both served. Before 1969 St. Timothy’s feast was kept on January 24.
Frequently asked questions
Who was St. Timothy?
A disciple and companion of St. Paul, bishop of Ephesus, and the recipient of the two Letters to Timothy in the New Testament.
Why is St. Timothy the patron of stomach problems?
Because St. Paul advised him to “use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thy frequent infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23).
When is St. Timothy’s feast day?
January 26, with St. Titus.
More saints and prayers
- St. Paul prayer
- Catholic prayer for healing
- Patron saints of healing
- St. John the Apostle
- St. Ignatius of Antioch
- Saint feast days
Texts and sources
- 2 Timothy 1:5–7, 1 Timothy 6:11–12 and 5:23, Philippians 2:20 (Douay-Rheims).