To whom do you pray to get rid of rats and mice? - briefly
People often pray to Saint Jerome, who is traditionally regarded as the patron saint against rodents, or to Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron of animals, for relief from rat and mouse infestations. Both saints are invoked in Catholic prayers seeking protection from such pests.
To whom do you pray to get rid of rats and mice? - in detail
People seeking supernatural assistance against rodents typically turn to deities, saints, or spirits associated with pest control in their cultural or religious traditions.
In Hinduism, the goddess Matsya (an avatar of Vishnu) is linked to protection from vermin. Devotees may chant “Om Matsyay Namah” or offer milk and rice to invoke her aid.
In Buddhism, the protective deity Mahakala is sometimes appealed to for eliminating harmful creatures, including rats. Practitioners recite his mantra “Om Ah Mahākāle Svāhā” while performing a small offering of incense.
Christian traditions often invoke Saint Rita of Cascia, known as the patron of rodents. A common prayer reads: “Saint Rita, intercede for us, that the mice and rats may depart from our homes.”
In Japanese folklore, the deity Ōkuninushi is considered a ruler of the earth and its creatures. Offerings of rice and sake, accompanied by a brief chant, are believed to persuade him to curb rodent populations.
Islamic practice does not prescribe a specific saint for this purpose, but many believers recite Ayat al‑Kursi or seek protection through the name of Allah, trusting that divine mercy will keep pests at bay.
Traditional Chinese folk religion calls upon the Earth God Tudi Gong to safeguard households. A simple prayer offered at his altar, followed by a grain offering, is intended to deter infestations.
Indigenous peoples of North America sometimes appeal to the spirit Mishipeshu (the Great Water Panther) for control over creatures that threaten food stores. Rituals include drumming and the placement of tobacco bundles near stored grain.
The following list summarizes typical elements of a pest‑removal prayer across these traditions:
- Invocation of a specific deity, saint, or spirit linked to rodents or protection.
- Short, repeated phrase or mantra focused on removal of the animals.
- Offering of a symbolic food item (milk, rice, grain, incense).
- Placement of the offering at a shrine, altar, or designated spot in the home.
Effectiveness is understood as a matter of faith; the described practices reflect historical and cultural patterns rather than empirical proof.