Our Patrons
The patron saints who guide and protect the Institute
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
The entire Institute is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, our Patroness and Queen.
The Immaculate Conception
Patroness & Queen of the Institute
Each year on the 8th of December, the Prior General solemnly consecrates the entire spiritual family of the Institute — all parishes, chapels, schools, and missions — to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. This annual act of consecration reflects the deeply Marian character at the very heart of the Institute's identity, entrusting to the Blessed Virgin "entire and full right of disposing of us" in the service of her Divine Son.
Co-Patron Saints
The Institute's charism rests upon three co-patron saints, each representing a foundational pillar of its spiritual life: liturgy, doctrine, and charity.
St. Francis de Sales
Doctor of Divine Love (1567–1622)
The spirit of St. Francis de Sales permeates the Institute's apostolic life. Known as the "gentleman priest," he taught that Catholic truth must be presented clothed in charity, patience, and gentleness: "One drop of honey attracts more bees than a barrel of vinegar." The Institute's motto is drawn from his teaching: Veritatem facientes in caritate — live the truth in charity.
St. Benedict of Nursia
Father of Western Monasticism (c. 480–547)
St. Benedict is honoured as the symbol of unity between faith, culture, liturgy, and life. His monastic tradition places the solemn celebration of the Divine Office at the centre of communal life — a practice the Institute faithfully upholds. Through his sons, St. Benedict carried out the evangelisation of Europe through the liturgy, source and summit of Christian life.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Doctor Angelicus (c. 1225–1274)
St. Thomas Aquinas stands as the beacon of fidelity to the Church's doctrine and the papacy. His emphasis on the harmony between faith and reason is a foundational principle of the Institute's formation. Seminarians at the international seminary in Gricigliano receive a thorough grounding in Thomistic philosophy and theology in faithful continuity with the Church's tradition.
"Veritatem facientes in caritate"Live the truth in charity — Ephesians 4:15 · Motto of the Institute
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
Patroness of the missions and special protectress of the Institute's apostolates in Africa.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Patroness of the Missions (1873–1897)
Declared Patroness of the Missions by Pope Pius XI in 1927 — despite never having left her Carmelite convent — St. Thérèse holds a special place in the Institute's spiritual family. The ICKSP was canonically founded in Gabon, Africa, in 1990 and continues extensive missionary work across the continent, building churches, schools, and medical dispensaries. Her "Little Way" of doing small things with great love resonates deeply with the Salesian charity at the heart of the Institute.
Patrons of Our Apostolates
Each of our apostolates in Ireland is placed under the patronage of a beloved devotion of the Catholic faith.
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Patroness of Belfast
The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was promoted by the Blessed Virgin herself at Fatima in 1917. Our church in Belfast is dedicated to this devotion, reminding the faithful of Our Lady's maternal love and her desire for the conversion of sinners and the consecration of the world to her Immaculate Heart.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Patron of Limerick
The Sacred Heart devotion, revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, expresses Christ's infinite love for humanity. The Sacred Heart Church in Limerick stands as a monument to this devotion, where the faithful gather to adore Our Lord in the beauty of the traditional liturgy and make reparation for the offences committed against His Sacred Heart.
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
Patroness of Ardee
The Sisters Adorers in Ardee are dedicated to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Through their contemplative life of prayer, Gregorian chant, and sacred embroidery, they intercede for the Church and the world, following the example of Our Lady's fiat — her perfect obedience to the will of God.