Saint Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop, is a well-loved saint in the Catholic Church. We celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 6.
Aside from his reputation as the real Santa Claus, and the fact that he was an incredible miracle worker from birth, Saint Nicholas is also remembered for defending the faith against heresy during the First Council of Nicaea. Let’s just say it got physical.
But did you know Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children?
Many stories and legends explain why he was given this title, which resulted in parents seeking his intercession specifically for causes related to their children.
According to EWTN,
“St. Nicholas is esteemed a patron of children, because he was from his infancy a model of innocence and virtue, and to form that tender age to sincere piety was always his first care and delight.”
His connection to children is also related to his reputation for secret gift-giving.
One of the most famous stories associated with Saint Nicholas involves three impoverished sisters. Legend states that over a series of evenings, Saint Nicholas threw bags of gold into their window to ensure that their poor father could provide them with dowries, thus, saving them from forced prostitution.
Another gruesome story earning him recognition for being a protector of children describes him resurrecting three young boys from the dead during a famine in Myra.
Regardless of the reasoning, having a saint known for his powerful prayers for children is pretty special!
Below you will find a prayer for Saint Nicholas’ intercession for children and a prayer for the spirit of childhood.
Saint Nicholas Prayer for Children
God Our Father we pray,
That through the intercession of Saint Nicholas,
You will protect our children.
Keep them safe from harm,
And help them grow,
And become worthy of Your sight.
Give them strength
To keep their Faith in You,
And to keep alive their joy
In Your creation.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
Saint Nicholas Prayer for the Spirit of Childhood
O good St. Nicholas, you who are the joy of the children, put in my heart the spirit of childhood, which the Gospel speaks, and teach me to seed happiness around me.
You, whose feast prepares us for Christmas, open my faith to the mystery of God-made man. You, good bishop and shepherd, help me to find my place in the Church and inspire the Church to be faithful to the Gospel.
O good Saint Nicholas, patron of children, sailors, and the helpless, watch over those who pray to Jesus, your Lord and theirs, as well as over those who humble themselves before you.
Bring us all in reverence to the Holy Child of Bethlehem, where true joy and peace are found. Amen.
