He was barely more than a boy when Paul first met him — the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother who had raised him in the Scriptures from childhood. Paul saw something in Timothy that he saw in few others: a gentleness of spirit combined with a fearless faith. He became Paul's most trusted companion, his "beloved son in the faith," the one he sent when no one else would do.

This beautifully laminated Saint Timothy prayer card carries the ancient prayer to this gentle giant of the early Church — a saint for those who lead with humility, serve with faithfulness, and preach the Word in season and out of season.

Card Details:

• Laminated cardstock with gold colour accents
• 2.5" × 4.5" — fits perfectly in a wallet, Bible, or pocket
• Classic religious art image on the front
• Full prayer text on the back
• Available in packs of 3, 10, 25, 50, and 100

Prayer to Saint Timothy

Dear Saint Timothy, well known for your gentleness,
you were a most faithful disciple of Saint Paul,
and like him, traveled much to bring the Good News to all people.

You were gentle yet firm, humble yet bold,
a true servant of the Gospel in every land you entered.

Obtain for us the grace to be faithful
in our own calling, wherever God has placed us,
and the courage to proclaim the truth with love.

Saint Timothy, pray for us.
Amen.

Patron Saint Of:

• 🙏 Stomach ailments and intestinal disorders — St. Paul himself wrote to Timothy: "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23)
• 🙏 Bishops and church leaders — Timothy was appointed the first Bishop of Ephesus by St. Paul
• 🙏 Those who suffer from anxiety or timidity — Paul encouraged him: "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7)

Feast Day: January 26th (shared with St. Titus)

The Story of Saint Timothy — Paul's Beloved Son in the Faith

Timothy was born in Lystra (in modern-day Turkey) to a Greek father and a devout Jewish mother named Eunice, and a grandmother named Lois — both of whom Paul praised for their sincere faith (2 Timothy 1:5). When Paul visited Lystra on his second missionary journey, he was so impressed by the young Timothy that he invited him to join his mission.

Timothy became Paul's most constant companion — traveling with him through Macedonia, Corinth, Thessalonica, and Ephesus. When Paul could not go somewhere himself, he sent Timothy. When a church was in crisis, Timothy was dispatched. He was the one Paul trusted above all others.

Paul wrote two letters to Timothy that are now part of the New Testament — the First and Second Letters to Timothy — filled with pastoral wisdom, personal affection, and the famous charge: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). These letters are among the most personal and tender in all of Scripture.

Timothy served as the first Bishop of Ephesus, one of the most important cities in the early Church. According to tradition, he was martyred around 97 AD when he tried to stop a pagan festival procession. He was beaten with clubs and stoned to death. He was approximately 80 years old.

His relics were later transferred to Constantinople, and portions are venerated in multiple locations today.

A Personal Note from Shawn

I'm Shawn Kilgarlin — wife, mother of four, mental health clinician, and Life Coach. Timothy speaks to me as someone who was called to lead despite his own fears and physical frailty. Paul had to constantly encourage him — "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young" (1 Timothy 4:12). As someone who works with people navigating anxiety, self-doubt, and the courage it takes to show up, I find Timothy profoundly relatable. He is a saint for the faithful who feel inadequate — and that is most of us, most of the time. Every ShopCatholic card is part of my mission of giving, funding Christmas gifts for those in need and serving those in addiction recovery. Thank you for being part of that. 🙏

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Saint Timothy, and why is he in the Bible?
St. Timothy is one of the most prominent figures in the New Testament outside of the Apostles themselves. He appears in the Acts of the Apostles and is mentioned in numerous Pauline letters. Two entire letters of the New Testament — 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy — are addressed to him personally. He was Paul's closest collaborator, his "true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2), and the first Bishop of Ephesus. His feast day is January 26th, shared with St. Titus.

What is Saint Timothy the patron saint of?
St. Timothy is the patron saint of those suffering from stomach ailments and intestinal disorders — a connection rooted in Scripture itself, where Paul advises Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach troubles (1 Timothy 5:23). He is also considered a patron of bishops, church leaders, and those who struggle with anxiety or timidity, since Paul repeatedly encouraged the gentle Timothy to be bold and not afraid.

Are there Catholic churches named after Saint Timothy?
Yes! St. Timothy is honored in parishes and churches around the world. Here are some notable ones:
• St. Timothy Catholic Church, Mesa, Arizona, USA — a large, vibrant parish in the Diocese of Phoenix.
• St. Timothy Catholic Church, Laguna Niguel, California, USA — a beloved parish in the Diocese of Orange.
• St. Timothy Parish, Norwood, Ohio, USA — a historic parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
• St. Timothy Catholic Church, Houston, Texas, USA — a thriving parish in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
• St. Timothy's Church, Washington, D.C., USA — a historic parish in the nation's capital.
• St. Timothy Parish, Chicago, Illinois, USA — serving the faithful in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
• Basilica of St. Timothy, Termoli, Italy — a stunning Romanesque cathedral on the Adriatic coast, built over the site where St. Timothy's relics were brought in the 9th century. One of the most beautiful basilicas in southern Italy and a major pilgrimage destination.
From Arizona to Italy, the name of Paul's beloved companion graces some of the most faithful communities in the Church.

Can I order these in bulk for my parish or school?
Absolutely! Cards are available in packs up to 100 for standard orders. For larger needs, our custom print option starts at 1,000 cards, takes approximately 5 days, and can be ordered in any quantity. When Pope Francis visited the United States, he ordered 15,000 "Praying with Five Fingers" cards — a reminder of just how powerful a simple prayer card can be. Contact us to discuss your custom order. 🙏