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The frequency of parasocial relations with celebrity figures makes it easy to imagine the most famous people in the world as mere caricatures.
We don’t know these people, but we strangely know every little detail about their lives.
Think of Taylor Swift or Timothee Chalamet, who have their entire lives on display for the rest of the world. Often, we see these people and make judgements about their character without pausing to reflect that they need prayers more than praise.
Knowing so much about their lives might be a boon for us because it allows us to know exactly what we need to pray for to help them.
As Catholics, we have a unique opportunity to invoke the wisdom of the saints and ask them to pray for the conversion of these celebrities’ hearts.
Here is a list of six celebrities we should pray for and the saints who can help them:
1 & 2) Saints Peter and Paul for Donald Trump and Elon Musk
One of the most influential figures of the last election was undoubtedly the multibillionaire Elon Musk. His national fame as CEO of X, SpaceX, and Tesla altered the direction of the presidential race. He might even be correct that without him, “Trump would have lost,” a claim he made in a recent post on X.
In the past week or so, however, the relationship between Musk and the president has become a bit… well… rocky. The two have had one of, if not the most public, fallouts of all time. But don’t think this is the first time two prominent figures on the same side of history have clashed!
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, two of Christ’s closest friends, also had a seemingly critical feud between them. The two saints, while sharing the same ultimate mission, had vastly different approaches to evangelism. In a particularly fiery encounter, Saint Paul scolds Saint Peter for making salvation seem like an act of the people and not the mercy of God. In Galatians 2:11, Paul writes, “And when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong.”
Friends fight; friends make up. Let’s hope that the same is true for President Trump and Elon Musk.
Saints Peter and Paul, pray for President Trump and Elon Musk!
3) Saint Norbert for Rihanna
Rihanna is a global sensation in the music industry. Shuffle her greatest hits, and odds are you will know the first song that pops up. Unfortunately for fans, she hasn’t released a new album since 2016. A few movie tracks and features here and there, but nothing from studio to table for nearly 10 years.
This could be because of her success in the makeup industry with her brand Fenty Beauty, but it is a shame for listeners everywhere that she hasn’t bothered to grab a pen and paper and jot down some lyrics. Fortunately, we know just what to do in situations like these.
Saint Norbert was a high-ranking member of the German imperial court in 1075. Just like Rihanna, Saint Norbert showed no real signs of piety and chose for a period of his life to pursue luxury and comfort rather than using his wealth and brilliant mind for others. In a dramatic encounter with the Lord at age 35, Saint Norbert was struck by lightning and dedicated his life to discernment and monastic life.
The switch from comfort and apathy towards dedication and hard work is exactly what fans hope to see from Rihanna. If there’s anyone who can get her in that studio, it’s Saint Norbert.
Saint Norbert, pray for Rhianna!
4) Saint Augustine for MrBeast
MrBeast is a YouTuber with more followers than any other creator on the platform. When he posts a video claiming to test whether someone can survive one hundred days trapped in a room to win $500,000, he means it. His success has taken him far enough to launch his own TV series called BEASTGAMES.
Mr. Beast is estimated to have a net worth of around one billion dollars, but along his journey to success, many have raised concerns about the ethical implications of his videos. Putting people into psychological experiments that can only really be labelled as voluntary torture has become his primary mode of income.
Considering the immense wealth he has already amassed, it seems clear that he is continuing these experiments for the thrill of dehumanizing his lab rats.
Obviously, we can invoke the prayers of Saint Epipodius, the patron saint of the tortured, for MrBeast's victims. The question is now, who can we call upon to save MrBeast from himself?
Our best hope must be Saint Augustine.
Not only are there similarities with their respective fame, but a quick read through of Saint Augustine’s Confessions reveals a host of other consistencies.
One story that stands out is Saint Augustine stealing pears in his youth. He recounts how his desire to steal pears from someone’s tree was not driven by need or hunger, but the sheer desire to steal, which he looks back on as a profound moral failing.
Saint Augustine wasn’t hungry, and MrBeast isn’t starving for viewer engagement. The only reason Mr. Beast continues his callous trials is for the love of a wicked game.
Saint Augustine, please pray for MrBeast!
5) Caitlin Clark and Saint Daniel
Caitlin Clark is a Basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. Since she joined the league, she has skyrocketed viewership and engagement with the league. This popularity comes much to the chagrin of other players in the league, who don’t share Clark's fanbase and social repertoire.
You might think that Clark's public approval and the WNBA's approval by proxy would be cherished by the league. You would be wrong.
Since starting in the league, Clark’s treatment has been almost unbelievable. Accusations of bullying by the league and mistreatment by other players have sparked furious debate on online platforms.
Clark has received praise for remaining calm and non-confrontational about what fans label blatant discrimination.
Saint Daniel faced a similar tribe of enemies.
Saint Daniel was a counselor for Emperor Darius of Persia and refused the emperor's edict to pray to himself and no other gods for thirty days. In violating the emperor, Daniel condemned himself to a den of lions, which are certain to kill him. Just like Caitlin Clark.
In God's mercy, he saves Daniel from the lions, and the emperor subsequently commands his people to only worship the God of Daniel.
Perhaps fans are already invoking Saint Daniel on behalf of Clark, as this calm reaction is unusual for someone with a competitive character like hers. But if she is to maintain this peaceful off-court attitude, Saint Daniel must continue to help her.
Saint Daniel, pray for Caitlin Clark!
6) Saint Matthew for Tom Felton
Tom Felton is an English actor and author known most for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movie series. While his colleagues have moved on to other careers, Felton has a stronger connection to his character.
In 2022, he released his book “Beyond the Wand,” recounting his years on the set, and has recently announced he will revise his role in the Broadway play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Many fans have echoed the sentiments of another actor from the series, Miriam Margolyes, who encouraged “Harry Potter Adults” to grow up and move on. If there is anyone who can give Felton help on this path, it is surely Saint Matthew the Apostle.
Saint Matthew was a tax collector who was commanded by God to give up his past life. He did so, leaving behind the comfort of familiarity to change his life for the better. Tom Felton could learn a few lessons from Saint Matthew. It is far past time to move on!
Saint Matthew, pray for him!
Note: Of course, these prayer proposals are less inclined towards true conversion and may have been (slightly) based on this author’s opinion. These recommendations are certainly things for which you can pray. Prayers for the conversion of souls are probably more likely to be answered. Whether for these celebrities or others, for these specific intentions or anything else, the best piece of advice is to follow the guidance given in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”