AKA: Aviators, Flying
There are so many kinds of pilots, each specializing in a specific field. The most thought of roles for pilots include commercial airline pilots, military pilots, helicopter pilots and cargo pilots.
Commercial airline pilots are responsible for transporting millions of passengers safely across the globe, connecting people, cultures, and economies. They undergo rigorous training and possess exceptional skills to operate complex aircraft, ensuring a smooth and secure travel experience for passengers.
Military pilots are brave men and women who serve their countries by flying advanced fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, and transport planes. Military pilots protect national security, perform aerial combat missions, conduct surveillance, and support ground troops during military operations. Their expertise and strategic thinking are vital in defending borders, maintaining peace, and providing humanitarian aid in times of crisis.
Helicopter pilots excel in maneuvering rotary-wing aircraft, making them indispensable in various fields such as emergency medical services, search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and offshore oil rig support. These pilots possess exceptional flying skills, often navigating in challenging environments and adverse weather conditions to save lives and ensure public safety.
Cargo pilots are highly skilled aviators who specialize in flying cargo planes. They are responsible for transporting goods and freight across the world to support global trade and logistics. They ensure the smooth flow of essential supplies, support industries, deliver time-sensitive shipments, and play a vital role in e-commerce.
And there are even more than that. There are private, agricultural, bush, test and even seaplane pilots. While pilots have an exciting and fulfilling career, they also face certain worries and challenges. Safety is always a top concern for pilots, as they bear the responsibility of the lives onboard their aircraft. They undergo rigorous training and adhere to strict safety protocols to minimize risks, but the fear of mechanical failures, adverse weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances always lingers. Long hours and irregular schedules can also take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. Additionally, the constant need to stay updated with evolving technology and regulations requires pilots to remain diligent and continuously adapt to the changing aviation landscape. Needless to say, it can be a stressful job.
Pilots can use all the help they can get. The saints are great companions for them. They can be right there with them, close to their heart reminding them of their intercession and protection as they fly their aircraft.
Who is the Patron Saint of Pilots
The saint most often referred to as the Patron Saint of Pilots is St. Joseph of Cupertino. However, there are two female saints who are also called on for their intercession of pilots. They are Our Lady of Loreto and St. Therese of Lisieux.
St. Joseph of Cupertino was an Italian Franciscan friar who lived in the 17th century. The association of St. Joseph of Cupertino with aviation is primarily due to accounts of his extraordinary experiences of levitation and his reputation as a mystical flyer.
According to historical records and biographical accounts, St. Joseph of Cupertino exhibited a unique phenomenon of levitation during moments of deep prayer or contemplation. It was reported that he would often become ecstatic during religious ceremonies or while meditating, and he would seemingly defy gravity, levitating or floating in the air. These occurrences were witnessed by numerous people and earned him a reputation for mystical flight and led to the nickname, “the Flying Friar.”
Pilots and those involved in aviation have sought his intercession and invoked his name for protection, guidance, and safe journeys during their flights. His extraordinary abilities and spiritual devotion made him a figure of inspiration and a source of comfort for those in the field of aviation.
Our Lady of Loreto is a title given to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, in connection with the Holy House of Loreto. According to Catholic tradition, the Holy House of Loreto is believed to be the house where Mary was born, raised, and where the Annunciation took place.
The association of Our Lady of Loreto with pilots and aviators stems from a belief that the Holy House of Loreto was miraculously transported by angels from the Holy Land to Loreto, Italy, in the 13th century. The legend suggests that the house was moved to protect it from destruction during the Crusades and subsequent conflicts.
Because of this connection to flight, Our Lady of Loreto is viewed as a spiritual figure who can offer comfort, strength, and assistance during journeys through the skies.
St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as St. Therese of the Child Jesus or the Little Flower, was a French Carmelite nun who lived in the late 19th century. She is renowned for her spiritual writings and her "little way," which emphasized simplicity, humility, and childlike trust in God.
Her life has no association with flying or being a pilot but the timing of her growing devotion made her popular during World War I. Many soldiers began carrying images of Therese with them when they went to battle even though she had not yet been canonized. She was particularly a favorite among French pilots, which is where her patronage of pilots began.
Click here for our list of Patron Saints.
Prayers for Pilots
St. Joseph of Cupertino Prayer for Pilots
O humble St. Joseph of Cupertino, your gift of levitation during prayer made you the patron of air travelers, pilots and astronauts alike. I pray that all travelers may reach their destinations safely. I pray especially for (mention your intentions here). Amen.
Prayer to Our Lady of Loreto for Flying
O Holy Mother of God, our Lady of Loreto, patroness of aviation and air travelers. We come to thank you for all the graces and benefits bestowed on us. Full of trust in your powerful intercession, we fly to you, begging for your maternal solicitude and care. Listen to our supplications for the success of this flight and all the flights we may undertake. Do bless the pilots, the flight attendants, the technicians, and all of us, passengers, placed under their care. As we piously believe that your house in Nazareth was borne by angels to Loreto, so may you also bring us all safely to our destination here on earth and to our final home in heaven. Amen.
Blessing of an Airplane
God, who made all things for your glory, yet destined every lower being in this world for man’s service, we beg you to bless this airplane. Let it serve to carry far and wide the fame and glory of your name, and in expediting more speedily the affairs of mankind without loss and accident. And let it foster in the souls of all the faithful who travel in it a longing for the things above; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Related Patron Saint Jewelry and Rosaries
Buy some beautiful St. Joseph of Cupertino, Our Lady of Loreto or St. Therese of Lisieux jewelry to keep you or your loved one close to the patron saint of pilots and be a symbol of your faith.