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St. Francis de Sales is well-known as the patron saint of writers and especially for his book Introduction to the Devout Life . The book's popularity began immediately upon its release among both Catholics and protestants, and has persisted ever since. It was unique at the time for being written for laypeople and especially women; earlier books tended to target the clergy. Lifetime:  1567 to 1622 Region:  Modern France Patronages:  Writers; Deaf people; Educators; Confessors Iconograpy:  Bishop vestments; Pen and book; Sacred heart Feast Day:  January 24

Anastasia is considered the deliverer from poisons because she miraculously cured many from such afflictions. During her life, she also ministered to imprisoned Christians until she became imprisoned herself. Anastasia refused to deny her faith, even in the face of a particularly vile pagan priest, who was blinded when he tried to lay hands on her. She miraculously survived multiple attempts to execute her, including starvation and drowning, until she was finally martyred by being staked to the ground and burned alive. Lifetime:  281 to 304 Region:  Rome; Modern Serbia Patronages:  Weavers; Widows; Poisoned people Iconograpy:  Medicine bottle; Martyr's palm Feast Day:  December 22 (Eastern); December 25 (Western)

St. Juan Diego Cuāuhtlahtoātzin was an average Aztec man until he saw the Apparition of Mary that changed two continents forever. Not much is known about his life before the vision. He was married, but his wife died. He may or may not have had a son with her. He was very devout and especially fond of the Blessed Virgin even before he saw the famous vision of her, and the Apparition itself, and especially Her miraculous image on his tilma led to the rapid conversion of a huge number of indigenous people in Central America. Lifetime:  1474 to 1578 Region:  Modern Mexico Patronages:  Indigenous people of the Americas Iconograpy:  Roses; Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day:  December 9

St. James the Mutilated, also called St. James Intercisius (which is just Latin for "cut into pieces") was, as his name suggests, cut into 28 pieces as part of his martyrdom. He didn't die until his head was finally removed, and never denied his faith. His followers absconded with his relics after the king wouldn't let them have them, and eventually ended up in Portugal.   Lifetime:  ?? to 421 Region:  Persia Patronages:  Lost vocations; Torture victims Iconograpy:  Man cut into pieces; Persian attire Feast Day:  November 27

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move." - Jesus to the Apostles, Matthew 17:20.  St. Gregory of Neocaesarea (also called St. Gregory the Wonder-Worker or St. Gregory Thaumaturgus) took this passage very literally. Through his prayers, and entire mountain was moved to make way for a church to be built!   Lifetime:  ~213 to ~270 Region:  Modern Turkey Patronages:  Earthquakes; Floods; Forgotten causes Iconograpy:  Bishop's attire; White hair/beard; Holding a book Feast Day:  November 17

St. Jude, one of the 12 apostles, is well-known today as the patron saint of lost causes or desperate situations. While his role in scripture is minimal and not much is known for certain about his life, tradition adds a lot of story to his life. He is the author of one of the Epistles in addition to being named in the Gospel of Luke as well as the book of Acts.   Lifetime:  1st century Region:  Galilee; Armenia Patronages:  Lost causes; Hospitals; Armenia Iconograpy:  Oar; Club; Axe; Pentecost flame Feast Day:  October 28 (Western); June 19 & 30 (Eastern)