The honoring of the Saints has long been a practice in the Catholic Church. Patron Saints are officially chosen by election and canonized by the Catholic Church as special intercessors on behalf of the faithful. The Church canonizes a Patron Saint only after their lives have been deemed of heroic virtue. The canonization of a Saint does not make them a god, but rather recognizes them as servants of God who’s lives have made them worthy of God’s love and favor. Devotion to Patron Saints by invoking their petitions and prayers is a means for Catholics to humbly request the aid and protection of the Saints on our behalf.