A patron saint stole is a priest stole decorated with the image of a canonized saint, worn on the saint's feast day, at a parish patronal feast and for devotions to a particular patron. The stole remains the vestment that marks Holy Orders; the image identifies the patron whose intercession is asked and whose feast is being celebrated.
What Makes a Stole a "Patron Saint" Stole
Every stole is a liturgical vestment: a band of fabric worn around the neck, over the alb, by deacons, priests and bishops. What makes a stole a patron saint stole is the image embroidered or printed on it. The image may show the face of the saint, an attribute associated with the saint, or a title of Christ such as the Sacred Heart, the Good Shepherd or the Lamb of God.
The image is not a decorative addition. It ties the vestment to a person and to a day. A stole with St. Joseph belongs naturally to the feast of St. Joseph and to a parish dedicated to him; a stole with St. Stanislaus belongs to the feast of a martyr. The same stole can be worn on other days, but its image always points to a particular patron.
The Stole as a Sign of Holy Orders
The stole is the vestment that marks the ordained ministry. A deacon wears it diagonally from the left shoulder to the right hip; a priest wears it around the neck with the two ends hanging in front, crossed on the chest in the Roman cut or falling straight in the Gothic cut. A bishop also wears a stole, under the chasuble or the cope.
Because the stole is a sign of ordination, a patron saint stole is normally given or chosen in connection with a priestly occasion: an ordination, a first Mass, a priesthood jubilee, a name day or the anniversary of a parish dedication. It is also chosen for the feast of the patron of the parish where the priest serves.
When a Patron Saint Stole Is Worn
The most common occasions are the liturgical memorial of the saint, the patronal feast of a parish, a pilgrimage or a patronal procession, and the anniversary of the dedication of a church. The stole may also be worn for a devotion outside Mass, such as Benediction or a novena, when the vestment is appropriate to the celebration.
The liturgical color of the day always governs the vestments. A stole with a saint who is not a martyr is normally worn in white or gold; a stole with a martyr is normally worn in red. The image does not change the color of the day, and the stole should match the chasuble and the other vestments of the celebration.
The Image Is Not a Decoration
In a parish dedicated to St. Joseph, the patronal feast is the occasion for a stole with St. Joseph. In a parish dedicated to St. Barbara, the same logic applies to St. Barbara. The image makes the patron visible at the altar and helps the faithful recognize the saint whose intercession is asked.
This is why the choice of image is usually made before the choice of fabric. A priest may already have stoles in every liturgical color; what he does not have is a stole that names his patron. That is the gap a patron saint stole fills.
A Patron Saint Stole as a Gift
A patron saint stole is a traditional gift for an ordination, a first Mass, a priesthood jubilee or a name day. The best choice is the priest's own patron saint, or the patron of the parish where he serves. If the patron is not known, a stole with a widely loved saint — St. Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua or St. John Paul II — is a safe choice.
Our collection of stoles with saints includes 58 designs, from $100. The full range of liturgical stoles includes the Marian, deacon, Roman and seasonal collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a patron saint stole?
A: A patron saint stole is a priest stole with the image of a canonized saint. It is worn on the saint's feast day, at a parish patronal feast and for devotions to that patron. The stole is the same vestment as any other; the image identifies the patron.
Q: When does a priest wear a patron saint stole?
A: On the liturgical memorial of the saint, at the patronal feast of a parish, during a pilgrimage or patronal procession, and on the anniversary of a church dedication. The liturgical color of the day still governs the vestments.
Q: Is a patron saint stole required by the liturgy?
A: No. The stole is required for the ordained ministry, but the image of a saint is a devotional choice, not a liturgical requirement. A priest may wear a plain stole or a stole with a saint; the color of the day is what the rubrics prescribe.
Q: Can a deacon wear a patron saint stole?
A: Yes, but a deacon wears the stole diagonally across the body. Deacon stoles are usually narrower than priest stoles and are listed separately in our deacon stole collection.
Q: How much does a patron saint stole cost?
A: In our collection, stoles with saints start at $100, and most designs are between $127 and $204. The price depends on the embroidery, the fabric, the number of sides and the finish.
Related Reading
For the meaning of each color, read stole colors by liturgical season. For the difference between the two ordained ministries, see deacon stole vs priest stole. For Our Lady, see the Marian stoles.
