The following Saints and Blesseds are of special interest Lawyers and Economists.
Ives of Kermartin (1253-1303) — Patron Saint of Lawyers
Lawyer priest of Brittany (Northwest France) who worked tirelessly for the rights of the poor in his diocese.
He studied Law at the University of Paris and returned to his native country, were he established a great
reputation for defending the poor, protecting the vulnerable, and rendering impartial judgments.
Ives was also known to help disputing parties settle out of court, pay the expenses of indigents, and visit
prisoners. His name is also spelled Ivo, Yves, Yvo.
Raymond of Penyafort (1175-1275) — Patron Saint of Canon Lawyers
Respected Spanish Jurist, best known for compiling the Decretals of Gregory IX,
a collection of Canon Laws that were promulgated by the Pope in 1230 and were retained as a primary reference
for Canon Law until the 20th century. St. Raymond was from a noble family,
studied law at the University of Bologna, where he became a professor. He joined the
newly founded Dominican Order, and was an associate of Thomas Aquinas before returning
to Spain, where he served as a confessor to James II of Aragon, and helped found the
Mercedarian order to Ransom Christian captives held by the Moors.
John Capistrano (1386-1456) — Patron Saint of Judges and Jurists
Renowned fifteenth century Franciscan lawyer, reformer and inquisitor,
famous for his preaching against heresies throughout Italy and Eastern
and for working with the Hungarian general John Hunyadi to raise the Siege of Belgrade
when it was surrounded by Turks.
Born in Naples to a prosperous family, he studied law in Italy, and was appointed Governor
of Perugia before giving up all worldly goods to become a Friar. He established a great
reputation as an inquisitor, especially against Crypto-Jews and Hussites, helped reform the
Franciscan order, and preached against heresy to large crowds. At the age of 70, when the Ottomans
threatened Eastern Europe, he helped raise a crusade to defend Belgrade and stopped the
advance of Turks in the Balkans for 70 years.
Raymond Nonnatus (1204-1240) — Patron Saint of those Falsely Accused
Spanish Monk who became the Superior General of the Mercedarians, a religious order that ransomed
Christian captives from the Moors.
After freeing hundreds of prisoners, he offered himself as a hostage and suffered tortures. He died soon after being
released. He is also known as the patron saint of childbirth and expectant mothers due to the manner of
his Caesarean birth.
Roch (1348-1376) — Patron Saint of Dogs, and also of those Falsely Accused
Mendicant pilgrim who encountered an area infected with plague and stayed to minister to the sick.
He worked many miracles and was falsely accused of being a spy.
Thomas More (1478-1535) — Patron Saint of Statesmen and Politicians
English Lawyer, who served as Lord Chancellor under Henry VIII. He was dismissed, imprisoned,
and finally executed for failing to recognize Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England.
Mathew the Apostle — Patron of Bankers, Accountants, Economists
and Stock Brokers
St. Matthew worked as a Tax collector before he was called to be an Apostle, and is best known
as the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
Michael the Archangel — Patron Saint of Banking Institutions
Archangel mentioned in the book of Revelation and the Old Testament.