As a recent college graduate, it feels strange to me to no longer be in the midst of constant studying. Many times after work, I’ll propose to a friend still in school that we get a coffee or see a movie only to be told that they can’t because they are working on an arduous assignment or stressed about a big test. So in order to salvage my social life and save my friends from a headache, I thought I would prescribe them some holy studying help! 

While there’s no guarantee praying to these saints will help you or your loved ones earn the best grades, they can, I hope, provide some relief from studying stress and maybe even spark some interest in a new subject.

English — St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of writers, so if you’re in a tough bind with a difficult essay or book report, consider asking him to intercede for clarity and help to find the right words. As a young priest, he was sent to convert Protestants in Geneva. When he did not have much luck with his speeches, he turned to writing succinctly about the Catholic Church, eventually converting an estimated 40,000 people. His reputation spread, and he was sent hundreds of letters asking for spiritual advice, all of which he responded to with individual care. 

Math — St. Hubert of Liège

St. Hubert of Liege, also known as St. Hubertus, is known as a patron saint of mathematicians and mathematics (though he is perhaps better known as a patron of hunters). However, St. Hubert’s ties to his patronage are murky, and he seems not to have had any ties to mathematicians during his lifetime. Most likely his patronage was adopted by a group of mathematicians because he was a popular saint of the Middle Ages. But who’s to say St. Hubert can’t offer us some guidance through the toughest equations and math problems?

Fine Arts — Saint Catherine of Bologna

St. Catherine of Bologna was born to an upper class family and trained in painting, calligraphy and music from a young age. She rejected the posh lifestyle and refused marriage, instead becoming a Poor Clare sister. She readily performed menial tasks for her religious community and eventually used her artistic talents to paint religious pictures, create breviaries and play the viola. For art students she serves as a reminder that no matter how much of a starving artist you might be, you can still make a strong difference in your community. Let us pray to St. Catherine of Bologna as the patron saint of the fine arts for artistic inspiration and to create art that has meaning.

Sciences — St. Albert the Great

St. Albert the Great is the patron saint of science. St. Albert practiced science with methods very similar to those used today and embraced mathematics and known principles of astronomy to come to conclusions about the natural order of the world. In addition to his work with the sciences, St. Albert was also a prominent theologian and philosopher at the time, building a bridge between science and faith. If you pray for clarity in sciences to St. Albert, you might find some scientific inspiration (but that’s just my hypothesis).

History — St. Bede the Venerable

St. Bede the Venerable is honored as the patron saint of history for his work Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which chronicles the early feel and facts of the Anglo-Saxon people. Despite mention of some parables and miraculous events that are less historical in nature, his text provides important information on the Anglo-Saxon tribes’ conversion to Christianity. St. Bede was named a doctor of the church in 1899 and was the only English doctor of the church until 2025. When in the midst of a historical paper or presentation, pray through the intercession of St. Bede for assistance, although I wouldn’t recommend including parables in your American history paper.

Computer Science — St. Isidore of Seville

Although he lived centuries before the computer or even electricity was invented, St. Isidore of Seville has the title of patron saint of computer science. During his life he crafted a long encyclopedia of all known information: Etymologiae. The 20 book set was acknowledged for almost 1,000 years as the encyclopedia of all human knowledge. Etymologiae has been compared to the internet or a modern computer since it aimed to perform a similar function: preserving knowledge and being a place for people to seek out information. So although he might never have imagined what his books inspired, let us pray through the intercession of St. Isidore for wisdom on the toughest computer science assignments.

Students and Clarity During Academic Stress — St. Catherine of Alexandria

Last but certainly not least is St. Catherine of Alexandria, known for being both the patron saint of students and of clarity during academic stress. While her contemporaries spent their teen years on perhaps more leisurely pursuits, she used her intelligence to go head to head with great minds and convert them to Christianity. For those moments when you might be drowning in work or facing a big test, pray through the intercession of St. Catherine for maturity and grace to get through.

William Gualtiere is an O'Hare Fellow at America.