The Rise of Patron Saints
The practice of appointing saints as patrons of specific occupations, or to intercede for those suffering from particular illnesses, or for other special causes came about as local people believed that a particular saint had performed miracles for them or interceded for them for a special favor, which was usually related to an incident in that holy person's life.
E-FACT
As missionaries traveled the globe to spread the word of Christianity, they named sites where they landed, and eventually preached, after saints. In America, a whole state was named after one: Maryland, for Mary, the mother of Jesus. A huge number of towns and cities in this country are also named after saints.
The naming of patron saints is an ongoing, continuing practice; patrons are named for practically every aspect of life. This is an informal process, not at all like canonization. Churches, children, and cities are named for saints, as a way of invoking their presence as well as offering young people a holy example to live toward.
