Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

Patron Saints of the Sea

Under the title of "Stella Maris", the Virgin Mary is recognised in all the maritime world as 'the' Patron saint of the Apostleship of the Sea. She is often honoured also under other titles, especially by fisher folks.
There are many other Saints who are widely recognised as Patron saints of maritime people.
St Peter and St Andrew, both fishermen; St Francis of Paola (1416-1517), founder of the Order of Minims, proclaimed in 1943 by Pope Pius XII patron saint of the Italian seafarers; St Nicolas, Bishop of Mira, whose body is venerated in Bari, and who is, since the IV° century, invoked as patron saint of boatmen; St Brandon the Navigator, Irish monk (+ca. 577), considered, particularly in Ireland and Great Britain, as the protector of seafarers; St Almo, known also as St Erasmus, Bishop of Formia (died 2/6/303); Blessed Pietro Gonzales (died 1246), called St Elmo or Telmo, by the seafarers of Spain and Portugal.