Patron Saints of Teachers, Schools, and Students

Patron Saints of Catholic Schools and Colleges

• Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274) — Most influential philosopher and theologian in the scholastic tradition. Doctor of the church, and author of "Summa Theologica".
• Joseph Calasanz (d. 1648) — Founder of the Piarists, the first religious order dedicated to teaching youth and providing free education for poor children.
• Elizabeth Ann Seton (d. 1821) — First native born American saint. Established a Catholic girls' school in Maryland and founded the 'Sisters of Charity' teaching order of religious sisters.
• Contardo Ferrini (d. 1902) — Italian professor, legal scholar, and third order Franciscan who taught at the University of Pavia University.

Patron Saints of Teachers

• Cassian of Imola (d. 363) — Schoolmaster of Imola who died during Diocletian persecutions. Tortured to death by his own students.
• Gregory the Great (d. 604) — Great reforming Pope of the 6th century. Advocated for missionaries, monasteries and monastic schools. Doctor of the Church.
• Francis de Sales (d. 1622) Reformation era bishop of Geneva who worked tirelessly to convert protestants and save Switzerland for the faith. Doctor of the Church.
• John Baptist de La Salle (d. 1719) — Founded Brothers of the Christian Schools, a teaching order established to teach in free parish schools for the poor of France.
• Ursula (4th century legend) — Ursula was the patron of the Teaching order founded by Angela Merici in Northern Italy around 1535.

Patron Saints of Scholars

• John the Apostle (d. 100) — Author of the Gospel of John, and missionary who resided mostly in Asia Minor.
• Catherine of Alexandria (d. 305) — Fourth century Virgin Martyr who was a noblewoman and a scholar.
• Nicholas of Myra (d. 343) — Bishop of Myra, better known as St. Nick.
• Brigid of Ireland (d. 525) — Early Irish Abbess who founded several monasteries which became great centers of Celtic scholarship.

Patron Saints of Libraries and Librarians

• Jerome (d. 420) — Prolific Scholar who authored the 'Vulgate' the official translation of the Bible into Latin. Doctor of the Church.
• Lawrence of Rome (d. 258) — Deacon of Rome who was martyred along with Pope Sixtus II, after presenting the poor and crippled as the 'Treasures of the church'.

Patron Saints of Students

• Symphorian of Autun (d. 178) — Young Roman nobleman arrested for refusing to worship pagan god. Martyred during reign of Marcus Aurelius.
• Tatiana of Rome (d. 235) — Daughter of a Roman officer and Deaconess. Thrown to the lions, but they sat at her feet. Then beheaded.
• Philomena (d. 304) — Consecrated virgin martyred by Diocletian at an early age.
• Ambrose of Milan (d. 363) — Respected Scholar who served as Bishop of Milan. Opposed Arians. Influenced Augustine of Hippo. Doctor of the Church.
• Benedict of Nursia (d. 547) — Author of 'Rule of Benedict' and founder of Western Monasticism.
• Isidore of Seville (d. 636) — Spanish Bishop and Scholar who assisted in converting Visigoth Spain to Catholic Christendom. Authored Christian encyclopedia.
• Albert the Great (d. 1280) — Highly respected Dominican Scholar associated with the University of Paris. Doctor of the Church
• Osanna Andreasi (d. 1505) — Italian Dominican nun and mystic. Experience visions and a stigmata. Miraculously learned to read and write.
• Joseph of Cupertino (d. 1663) — Italian Mystic friar who experienced ecstatic visions and levitation. Known as a poor student.
• Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother (d. 1862) — Passionist monk gave up a secular career to join a religious congregation and died young.
• John Bosco (d. 1888) — Founded the Salesian Brothers Religious Order in 19th century Turin to teach urban children of the Industrial revolution.
• Gemma Galgani (d. 1903) — Italian mystic, educated at a Catholic boarding school, who had visions and experienced a stigmata. Died young.