Patronages of the Saints and the Beatified under the Current Legislation of the Latin Church

The article addresses the following matters: the juridical-dogmatic foundations of the cult of saints and the beatified, the reason why we observe the veneration of saints and the blessed, and the roots of the development of the cult of saints. Also, presented are the rules of inscribing saints in the General Roman Calendar and the rules of inscribing saints and the beatified in the liturgical calendar, and the making of saints patrons of provinces, counties, cities, larger areas, streets, associations, schools, universities and religious community groups. Detailed information regarding the calendar of a particular country and the introduction of new saints into the calendar can be found in the current documents of the Latin Church. These documents emphasize that all celebrations concerning a particular Church to be included in the calendar must be subordinated to universal celebrations, as prescribed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It belongs to this Congregation to evaluate the conditions presented in a petition, to assign a liturgical rank and present the petition to the Holy Father. While saints can also be appointed – with the approval of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments – as patrons of provinces, counties, cities, larger areas, streets, associations, schools, universities, and families of religious. The blessed can be made patrons of these places only pursuant to a special indult issued by the Holy See.