Saturday, April 04, 2009

St. Benedict of Nursia: patron saint of kidney diseases

Several months ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with kidney disease. Ultimately she had one of her kidneys removed. She is now recovering in hospital and doing better every day. While praying for her I decided to find out who the patron saint of kidney problems was. It is no other than St. Benedict of Nursia. He is the founder of Western monastacism, and thousands of monks today use his Rule of St. Benedict, a guide for every aspect of a monk's day. It was written in the 6th century. It is even good to read through if you are not a monk for it offer timeless wisdom.

There is an interesting story as to why St. Benedict is the patron saint of kidney problems. It is said that Benedict went to implement his rule at a monastery, but some of the monks there thought it was too hard to follow. They sought to poison his kidneys in order to make him ill. However, he blessed the drink and the poison did not affect him.

Monks have had such an important role in Western society. Let us always remember their contribution to the betterment of humanity.


Added October 5, 2015:
Please Help Support my blog by purchasing this great book from Amazon.com: The Rule of St. Benedict. It costs just $6.77 US. It will help immensely, but it will also help your spiritual life!


61 comments:

  1. Thank you, just stumbled across this post whilst searching for the relevant saint. My sister in law is having an operation tomorrow to remove one of her kidneys. Please offer up a wee prayer to St Benedict for her, her name is Rachel. Thank you.

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  2. Please say a prayer for my son William "Will" who is in the hospital with serious complications from diabetes. He now requires dialysis. Thank you and God Bless.

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  3. I send prayers for the above. If you see this posting, please pray for the intercession of St. Benedict for my step son, Tim who has cancer and kidney failure. There may be a chance of unimproved function yet so please pray.

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    1. My dad has the same problems as your son. I hope Will is doing well. My dad, well, isn't doing at all well, and NEEDS prayers. Thanks.

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  4. Thank you for this post... I'm a "returning Catholic" who's been on dialysis for three years and this post was quite informative and mostly comforting. Blessings to you...

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    1. I agree. As a 2nd week newbie to dialysis, I fear for myself and
      all people with kidney disease no matter if they already no or are about to learn about the living altering impact of renal failure. Lets all pray to him.

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    2. Please pray for my son who is need of a kidney. He is now on dialysis.

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    3. My mother has just been diagnosed with kidney failure and has been in the hospital for over a week now. Let us all pray for all people who are suffering from kidney failure, Christians and non-Christians alike, to receive healing from the Almighty Father through the divine intercession of St. Benedict. Amen!

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  5. please pray for my daughter Daphne. she only has 1 kidney when she was born. i, too, stumbled across this post while looking for the patron saint of kidneys. i pray that my daughter's kidney will always be alright and healthy. thanks.

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  6. My husband has chronic kidney disease. Please help me pray for improved function for him and better overall health. Thanking GOD for His mercies!
    St Benedict of Nursia please assist my husband Christian with his health / kidney problems. Thank you!!!!!!

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  7. Please pray for me. I am having tests 7-26-12 to determine how well my kidneys are functioning. Please pray for good results. Thank God, St Benedct,St Jude and the Blessed Virgin for continued blessings.

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  8. Please pray for my baby daughter who is going for kidney test. Please pray that this condition can cured through the intercession of St. Benedict and our Blessed Mother.

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  9. Please pray for my son who had a double lung transplant almost 15 years ago and is now on dialysis..he is 42 years old.please pray that through intercession of st.benedict his condition will improve that he wont need dialysis.st benedict of nursia please bless my son...THANK YOU

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  10. Please pray for my mom who has chronic kidney disease. They tell her dialysis is coming soon if they don't find the cause of the kidney failure. Please St. Benedict let them find the reason for her trouble and let it be fixed without dialysis. Please keep her in good health. Thank you!

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  11. I'd like to ask for prayers for myself. I just found out today that I need dialysis. I'm trying to enter seminary, but they are hesitant because of my health. My name is Stephen.

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  12. Please pray for my mom Josefina.She has chronic kidney failure.Her kidney is deteriorating.She will have another test 3rd week of December.We hope that everything will be normal.We lover her so much and we still want to have her with us for the longest time.We don't want her to end up in dialysis.

    St.Benedict pls.hear our prayers...

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  13. If you find yourself with a little extra time, could you please say a prayers for a friend who's now on the transplant list for a new kidney. He's been in and out of the hospital since October 2009 when he was hit with mersa. I will pray for all the above. I'm a strong beliver in the power of prayer and praying to a patron saint. Blessing on you all.

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  14. Please pray for my brother Bruce who is experiencing kidney failure along with heart issues. Thank you.

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  15. Please pray for my brother who is under going diaysis 3 times a week due to kidney failure-stage 5.

    thank you and God bless!

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  16. Please prayer for my cousin who is having tests for kidney disease, Please God she will make a full recovery. Thank you.

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  17. Please pray for my father Donal Griffin who is on dialysis. May St. Benedict bless and protect his kidneys and restore them to good health. Amen.

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  18. Please pray for my brother Joe who suffered a stroke last week at the age of 57. He is now having issues with his kidneys and a bad infection. St. Benedict pray for him. Please God keep him safe in your care until he is well again.

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  19. St Benedict please help my son who will be on dialysis for kidney disease within the next few months. Please help him get through this part of his life and keep him safe in Gods hands and please St Benedict, be with him and with us through a successful kidney transplant when that time comes.

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  20. Please pray for my mother who had chronic kidney disease which progressed after receiving too many radiology tests during her hospital stay. She was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and this is too much for us to bear. St. Benedict please restore her kidneys to normal function so she does not have to undergo dialysis and can be released from the hospital.

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  21. I prayed for each and everyone of you! May your prayers be heard. My grandmother has diabtetes related kidney disease she has 25 percent function and is not a candidate for dialysis st benedict please heal my grandmother of her ailing kidneys and may they have proper and increased function. Please be with her.

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  22. i pray to dear st benedict of nurcia to assist my niece gianne reiko miko macahilig on her battle w/ her illnesses specially finding ways on how to have a proper kidney transplant ,she needs 2 but what god wills , so may we receive GODS HELP for MIKO MACAHILIG,please pray for her st. benedict.thank yu

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  23. I just found out my kidneys are only working at 26 percent due to kidney disease. Not sure if it is right to ask for prayer for yourself but I am scared. I will be praying for all of us facing this disease. St. Benedict of Nurcia assist us and give us strength and healing. My name is Cynthia

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    1. My daughter lived with 9% of one kidney for the first 15 yrs of her life. Watch your diet to starve off dialysis and please also pray for my daughte natasha who is 40 and just received her third kidney transplant 6 wks ago but the kidney is not working to potential and she is still in hospital.
      I shall pray for you that you will drink plenty of water and cut down your protein intake...see a dietitian! 26% is a lot and you may never need dialysis if you take care of your diet!

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  24. Please pray for my daughter, Fallon, who has kidney problems due to lupus. Dear Lord Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and St. Benedict, please cure her.

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  25. Please pray through the intercession of st. Benedict that my daughter Natasha's newly transplanted third kidney will work to potential. She stopped dialysis on june 18 but since then the kidney has drastically slowed down. She is 40 with so many physical and mental/emotional problems and had been on dialysis for 7 years this time.
    We are desperate for a working kidney so she can 'live' and not be a prisoner to a machine.
    Dear St. Benedict please intercede to Jesus for Natasha!

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  26. Please pray for the intercession of St Benedict for my brother in law who was just diagnosed with a serious kidney ailment. I will pray for the intentions of all who have posted here.

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  27. I ask for intercession from St. Bernard. My brother was told that his kidney functions has declined so much that dialysis and kidney transplant will be in his near future. I pray for those who ask for prayers here. GOD pis good and merciful.

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  28. I am worried for my family and just plain scared. Transplant seems to be failing as the meds are too costly without insurance. Please St.
    Benedict, present my prayer to the Lord. Thank you.

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    1. God be with you. I pray you will be able to find a way to pay for the meducines you need.

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  29. I ask the intercession of St Benedict for Our friend Lee S who is going through dialysis & is waiting to have a kidney transplant. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen!

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  30. One of my best friends...Jodi, has already lost one kidney due to stones. 4 years later, she is back in the hospital because her remaining kidney has not been functioning properly for 3-4 days!! She has had a hard life already, without supportive family since childhood and the death of her youngest child!! But she is truly a good and strong woman and I can't imagine losing her yet!! Please pray for her and her family!! I have read the above posts and pray that all have received answers to their prayers!! In all things, His Will be Done!!

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  31. Please pray for my mother who is on dialysis for the past 2 years,twice a week.i am the only child for my parents.i love them a lot and want both of them to be with me and my kids,hale and healthy for d longest possible time.WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MAN IS POSSIBLE FOR GOD.St.Benedict please pray for my mother and touch and heal her kidneys,through Jesus Christ Our Lord.Amen

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  32. Reading through the comments, all of us are in dire need of an intercession from St. Benedict to help our family members (or us) who are deeply affected by the kidney disease. My mother is also in the ICU for kidney disease.

    Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of St. Benedict, please touch her with your healing hand. I also pray for the healing of the rest of the people who have submitted their prayer requests here to cure them or their loved one from the disease. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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  33. Anna Marie Perea2:17 PM, April 30, 2014

    Please pray for me, I have been on dialysis for two years coming this September 2014 but I also have a living donor but the doctors may say no due to his veins. Dear Saint. Benedict please grant that this transplant goes through and all goes well, we will find out in two weeks. Through our loving savior Jesus Christ Amen.
    DO NOT FEAR TO HOPE, DO NOT BE AFRAID FOR GOD IS WITH YOU!!! Amen
    God bless everyone going through this hard time with kidneys, I have learned so much, more than I ever wanted.
    God Bless

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  34. Please pray for my husband, Steve. He is currently on the transplant list for a kidney and pancreas. St. Benedict, and the blessed Mother please intercede on his behalf to the heavenly Father. God Bless.

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  35. Please pray for my son Russell who is on dialysis for the second time after a having a donor transplant 11 years ago
    St Benedict pray for him all people with kidney disease Amen

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  36. Please pray for my wife Marilyn Ann whose kidneys are not functioning right now. Thank you.

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  37. Thank you so much for the information. Let us ask for the intercession of St. Benedict for those suffering from kidney problems.

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  38. Thank you and Go d bless for this information Please pray for my son who waits a second transplant his previous kidney transplant donated by his father failed last year I pray for all persons suffering from any organ failure God bless and protect all who visit this site

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  39. Pray for my friend jude suffering from kidney failure. Doctors assisted for transplantation. Pray for him that he shoukd recover soon.

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  40. Please pray for my husband who has kidney disease

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  41. To all of the above,I offer up my daily prayers.We have been doing home dialysis for 10 years now,it is a hard road.God has put us on this path,He will take care of us.May His blessing be with you,and may He hold you close.

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  42. For my friend Shirley who will soon start dialysis due to PKD, that a kidney donor might be found soon.

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  43. Please pray for my son Kurt who has been on dialysis for 2 years now. He had a baby boy in December and I would love my grandson to grow up to know and love his father. Kurt has had a lot of health problems related to the kidney failure/dialysis. Lately its been a tough road. He has been on the transplant list and his doctor said a 2.5 year wait with his profile, but my research tells me otherwise. I ask St. Benedict of Nursia to intercede with the Lord Jesus for the Miracle of a healthy, normal, functioning kidney for Kurt,through the Power of His Holy Spirit and Everlasting Divine Mercy, AMEN

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  44. Please HELP ME PRAY FOR A HEALING AND MIRACLE!
    I have 2 cysts at my left kidneys- I still have to undergo more tests because of some symptoms I am currently feeling! I am not financially capable to do this now- I BELIEVE JESUS CAN AND WILL HELP ME...the cysts shall be removed from my body NOW! Also I have been attacked by witchcraft .... my name is Maria Pilar Fernandez Varandmal Adorable 09176936337 Manila Phils. Please pray for me .... God bless you all!

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  45. Please say a prayer for my husband Mark. He has been with kidney disease for the last 10 years and has been on dialysis since August 2014. He also suffers from heart disease and his Dr's are looking to put him on a dual transplant list. I have so much faith that God can and will intervene. We have 4 young children who truly need him. Please keep him in your prayers to St Benedict.

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  46. Please pray for my friend Patti McCauley McLoughlin she has had kidney problems in the past and is back in the hospital, Thank you and God bless.

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  47. Please pray for me today St. Benedict. I am having more tests today for my GFR. I pray that the scores will be better than they were a week ago.My name is Katherine.

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  48. My husband Bill has been on peritoneal dialysis since the beginning of 2014, and is on several lists for a kidney transplant. Asking St. Benedict for intercession on his behalf and on behalf of all who have requested prayer. God bless you.

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    1. I will and please pray for my wife Kathleen. God Bless.

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  49. 30-year old great niece needs successful kidney transplant soon. She has two small children. Please pray for a kidney match. We will keep you in our prayers as well.

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  50. My husband, Dick, just found out his kidneys are failing. Please pray for his healing and I'll be sure to pray for all of you who are seeking St Benedict's intercession.
    God bless!

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  51. Please pray for the intercession of St Benedict for my brother, Randolph, that his transplanted kidney be healed and have proper, normal and increased function.

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  52. My mother, Pat, underwent open heart surgery to repair her aorta. She is suffering from other ailments, as well. I ask you to lift her in prayer. (Improved kidney function, her Herat to come out of Afib & improved breathing). Thank you

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  53. Please pray for my sister pat who was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney complications. Pray that St Benedict prays she gets better. Thanks and God Bless You

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  54. Please pray for my boyfriend Matt who has PKD and may need to start dialysis soon. Please pray that he can also find the strength to get a job so he can get insurance for the dialysis. I have prayed to St Benedict for you all and hope that he brings healing and peace. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

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