Patron Saints of CCYAC
saint michael the archangel
While there’s little known about Saint Michael the Archangel, there are many notable reasons why he was chosen to be one of the patron saints for CCYAC. As the leader of all angels and the Army of God, Saint Michael is often portrayed as a young adult. With this rank and title, he has many responsibilities that align with the mission and vision of CCYAC, most notably his responsibility to combat Satan. Our mission to empower young adults to transform their communities through their identity in Christ can only be done through the power of Christ reigning in the hearts of each conference attendee. Saint Michael is also charged with the task of championing all Christians and the Catholic Church. He intercedes on our behalf because he cares about the salvation of our souls. He’ll go into battle with us each and every day so that we can become exactly who God created each of us to be.
saint maria faustina kowalska
Saint Maria Faustina is the second patron saint for CCYAC. As an apostle of Divine Mercy, she is one of the Church’s most well-known saints. Saint Faustina was a member of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Cracow, Poland and is distinguished by her love of the Eucharist and deep devotion to the Mother of Mercy. At just 33 years old, she died when she was a young adult, which is one of the many reasons she was chosen as a patron saint. In the Adoration Chapel at Saint John Neumann Parish, there is a first-class relic of Saint Faustina housed in a special frame. This relic was personally carried from Poland by Father David Sizemore following a parish trip in 2017.
Pope Saint John Paul II
“Pope John Paul II” by Beyond Forgetting, licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Pope Saint John Paul II is the newest patron saint of CCYAC. As one of the most influential leaders in the modern Church, he is widely known for his deep love for young people and his call for them to live boldly for Christ. Throughout his papacy, he consistently challenged young adults to reject complacency and to embrace their identity as sons and daughters of God, reminding them that they are not only the future of the Church, but the Church right now. His life was marked by courage, especially in the face of suffering and opposition, and by his unwavering trust in God’s mercy. As the founder of World Youth Day, he created spaces for young people to encounter Christ in a powerful and personal way—something that closely reflects the mission of CCYAC. Pope Saint John Paul II continues to intercede for young adults, encouraging them to open wide the doors of their hearts to Christ and to become saints in the world today.