Patronages of the Immaculate Conception the Immaculate Conception is also one of the nine national and public holidays and a holy day of obligation. The patronage settles the dispute between a heated religious debate during the mid 1600s, when followers of the mythical figure Saint James Matamoros wished to impose him as the national patron saint versus the followers of Saint Teresa of Avila. On 11 September 1759, the elected members of the Spanish Cortes petitioned King Charles III of Spain to request from the pope the "universal patronage of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in all the Kingdoms of Spain and the Indies".
Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York The Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York is the oldest charitable institution in the state of New York. The organization was founded in 1756 by Scottish founders in New York City who were looking to "relieve the distressed." It was named for the patron saint of Scotland, Saint Andrew. Past presidents of the society include Philip Livingston, William Alexander (the "Earl of Stirling"), Andrew Carnegie and Ward Melville. The society still provides for needy Scots in New York City via its almoners program and has a scholarship program