Is there a patron saint of gambling?
This is an answer from six years ago that we've been waiting to rerun, since today is the Feast Day of this saint.
First, for anyone who doesn't know, a saint is a person who exemplifies holiness and touches the inner lives of others in ways that transform them for the better. In the Catholic religion, saints are formally canonized (officially recognized) by ecclesiastical declaration, but saints can also be glorified by popular acclaim.
The recognized Patron Saint of Gamblers is Saint Cayetano or Cajetan.
Saint Cayetano was born to well-to-do parents in Vicenza, Italy, in 1480 and was inspired to a life of piety by his mother. He studied law and worked as a diplomat for Pope Julius II, with whom he helped reconcile the Venetian Republic. He was ordained as a priest in 1516.
We couldn't find much pertinent information about his life and why he was selected as the Patron Saint of Gamblers, though he was so pious and disdainful of earthly belongings that, according to a prayer dedicated to him, he was "acclaimed by all people to be the Divine Father of Providence, providing miraculous aid to all in need." As such, he's also the patron saint of good fortune, along with the unemployed and document controllers.
In his life, Saint Cayetano gave his family fortune to help those in need and he promoted the spiritual life, in conjunction with care for the poor and sick. According to Wikipedia, "He died of grief in Naples" in 1547, worn out by the corruption he saw around him, particularly within the priesthood. He was canonized in 1671.
In the course of this research, we also came across San Simon, Guatemala's own Patron Saint of Gamblers and Drunks. Part Catholic saint and part Mayan god, his worshippers apparently pray to him for fertility and prosperity and his shrine, located in the village of San Andres Itzapa, allegedly receives copious offerings of alcohol and tobacco (cash is also welcomed) from his devotees to appease him. A statue of him at the shrine is described as being covered in plastic, because people "sometimes spit alcohol and Coca-Cola on him as a way to ask for his blessings."
Lastly, Saint Bernadine (or Bernadino) of Siena is known as the Patron Saint of Gambling Addicts and Compulsive Gambling, among many other things. A charismatic orator born in Massa di Carrara, Italy in 380, Saint Bernadine was known for his mediating abilities and skill at reconciling opponents, and for his numerous female supporters.
