Topic: Who is the Patron Saint of Missions?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: December 14, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: Mary Pat Fourqurean

Question:   WHO IS CALLED THE PATRON SAINT OF MISSIONS EVEN THOUGH SHE NEVER LEFT HER CONVENT?

Answer: 

Dear Drew,

The Patron Saint of Missions who never left her convent in France is St. Theresa of Lisieux; her feast day is October 1 (she died 1897). As a Carmelite nun in her particular order in France, she probably would have gone to Vietnam as a missionary (and would have loved to have done so). But she stayed in France instead where, because of her tuberculosis, she suffered heroically in silence, without self-pity, in complete abandonment to the will of God. But, in her convent, in her suffering, she prayed for missions so effectively that she became the Patron Saint of Missions. Hope this helps. Mary Pat Fourqurean.