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St. Stephen is one of the select martyrs mentioned by name in scripture. He was one of the first seven deacons ordained by the church as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. During his life, Stephen performed many miracles and was considered to be very holy. He was martyred by stoning after calling out the sins of the Sanhedrin, a martyrdom witnessed by Saul (who would go on to become St. Paul ). Stephen prayed for his killers' forgiveness as he died. Afterwards, many of the disciples fled the holy land for safety. Lifetime:  ~5 to ~33 Region:  Jerusalem Patronages:  Headaches; Brick layers; Altar servers; Harsh truths Iconograpy:  Stones; Censer; Deacon vestments Feast Day:  December 26 (Western); December 2 (Eastern)

St. Crispina was a mother and noblewoman from northern Africa who began to be persecuted after she refused to offer sacrifice to pagan gods. In an attempt to shame her into recanting her faith, the judge ordered her head to be shaven, but she remained steadfast. After continued failed attempts to get her to convert, the judge ordered her beheading and she was martyred. St. Augustine, who lived in the century following her martyrdom, preached about her example often. Lifetime:  200s to 304 Region:  Numidia (modern Algeria) Patronages:  None defined Iconograpy:  Shaved head; Holding crown; Wearing red Feast Day:  December 5

Bl. Miguel Pro was a Jesuit priest in Mexico at a time when the government was trying to suppress the Catholic faith. Priests were forced to marry, arrested for false crimes, or just killed, and churches were forced to close. Miguel continued to run his church secretly, for which he was arrested. He was released, but soon after he was arrested again and accused of attempting to assassinate a general. Despite witnesses saying he wasn't involved, Miguel was executed for the crime, refusing a blindfold so he could face the firing squad. He held a crucifix in one hand and a rosary in the other, and after forgiving the soldiers who were about to kill him, his last words were "¡Viva Cristo Rey!" - "Long live Christ the King!".  Lifetime:  1891 to 1927 Region:  Mexico Patronages:  Martyrs; Those facing persecution Iconograpy:  Rosary; Priest garb; Holding out arms at execution; Viva Cristo Rey banner Feast Day:  November 23

St. Elizabeth of Hungary was born a princess and married another noble when she was a teenager. Shortly after, she became serious about her faith and began to give her wealth to the poor. But after her husband died on his way to war, Elizabeth took it to a new level, taking vows similar to that of a nun. She used her wealth to build a hospital for the poor. Lifetime:  1207 to 1231 Region:  Hungary and Germany Patronages:  Bakers; Nurses; Widows Iconograpy:  Bread; Roses; Crown Feast Day:  November 17

St. Tabitha the Widow, also known by her Greek name Dorcas, appears in Scripture in the book of Acts. She is identified there as a very charitable woman and a devout follower of Jesus who would make clothing for the poor until she fell ill and died. When St. Peter heard of her passing, he visited her town and prayed over her corpse, and she was miraculously restored to life. Lifetime:  1st century Region:  Israel Patronages:  Tailors and seamstresses Iconograpy: Woman holding cuts of fabric Feast Day:  October 25

St. Bruno of Cologne is best known as the founder of the Carthusian order, an order of monks and nuns that combines hermitism with communal living. During his life, Bruno was also a teacher (one of his students would become Pope Urban II) and a chancellor for his archdiocese. He refused to be elevated to bishop in several different dioceses, and regularly spent long periods of time in solitude.  Lifetime:  1030-1101 Region:  Cologne, Germany; Reims, France Patronages:  Germany; Carthusian monastics Iconograpy:  Carthusian habit; Skull; Carthusian statutes Feast Day:  October 6

Padre Pio was canonized in 2002 and is one of the most venerated among Catholic saints today. During his life, Padre Pio experienced the miracle of the stigmata, where wounds similar to those Christ bore in his crucifixion appeared on Pio's body. He suffered the wounds for over 50 years, and despite trying to hide them with mittens, became very well known for the unhealing sores on his hands. He also expressed other miracles in his life such as bilocation and miraculous healing. Lifetime:  1887 to 1968 Region:  Italy Patronages:  Adolescents; Civil defense volunteers Iconograpy:  Gloves or stigmata; Franciscan habit Feast Day:  September 23

Saints Anne and Joachim are the parents of Mary, the Mother of God, and thus the grandparents of Jesus. Not much is known about them, and what is part of the tradition mostly comes from apocryphal texts such as the Gospel of James, as well as the Quran. According to tradition, Anne and Joachim were not able to conceive any children until old age, where God rewarded their piety and they conceived Mary shortly before Joachim's death. Lifetime:  1st century BC Region:  Judea Patronages:  Grandparents; Married couples; Child care providers Iconograpy:  Often portrayed together; Holding young Mary Feast Day:  July 26 (Western); September 9 (Eastern)

Very little is known about St. Sebald's life, but he has been venerated since at least the 11th century in Nuremberg, Germany, where his major shrine is still located. He was a hermit who became a missionary and performed many miracles. His most famous miracle was when he was visiting a poor man in the depths of winter. The fire was low and Sebald and the man grew very cold, so Sebald asked him if he could put more wood on the fire, but the man said he was so poor to keep up such a fire. Sebald then asked for a bundle of icicles, which he threw on the fire. To the man's amazement, the ice burned like logs of wood! Lifetime:  800s or 900s Region:  Modern Nuremberg, Germany Patronages:  Cold weather; Nuremberg Iconograpy: Staff and cap; Burning icicles Feast Day:  August 19

St. Clare of Assisi was one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi , and went on to form her own order for women in the style as his Franciscans, known commonly as the Poor Clares. She is known for several miracles - once, when she was sick and unable to attend Mass, the image of the liturgy she was missing appeared on her bedroom wall so that she could still participate (for this reason she is the patron saint of television). Another time, soldiers tried to storm Assisi, she placed a monstrance displaying the Blessed Sacrament and prayed, and following a bright light, the soldiers were overcome with fear and fled the city. Lifetime:  1194 to 1253 Region:  Assisi, Rome (modern Italy) Patronages:  Eye disease; Needle workers; Television Iconograpy:  Monstrance or lamp sending out a beam of light; Poor Clares habit Feast Day:  August 11

St. Olga of Kyiv (also spelled Kiev) was the first woman to rule Kievan Rus', an empire in the land that is now part of Ukraine, Russia, and other eastern European countries, after her husband was assassinated by members of a nearby tribe who had once served as allies. Olga is especially famous for her brutal revenge against her husband's killers, including burning down their village by sending messenger pigeons carrying embers back to their homes, though her conversion to Christianity would occur later, when she was visiting Constantinople. Following her conversion, Olga tried to convert her son, now emperor of Kievan Rus' since he had come of age, but he had no respect for her faith. Still, her efforts convinced him to disallow persecution of Christian converts in the empire, which would pave the way for future conversion efforts. Lifetime:  ?? to 969 Region:  Kievan Rus' (Modern Ukraine) Patronages:  Widows; Converts; Ukraine Iconograpy: Empress attire; Cross; Pigeon

Thomas More was a lawyer and judge, as well as the Lord High Chancellor under king Henry VIII before the protestant reformation. However, his success as a politician would come at odds with his faith when the Church of England separated from the Catholic Church and appointed the King of England as its supreme head. More refused to swear allegiance to the king as the head of the church, and for this he was convicted of treason and beheaded. Up until his death, More wrote against the reformation. Just before he was killed, he kissed his executioner and forgave him. Lifetime:  1478 to 1535 Region:  London, England Patronages:  Lawyers; Adopted children; Politicians; Difficult marriages Iconograpy:  Fur hood; Robe; Quill pen; Chain of office Feast Day:  June 22

St. Marina's mother died when she was young, and in his mourning, her father decided to give all he had to the poor, marry off Marina, and become a monk. Marina didn't want this and convinced her father to let her join the monastery with him as a man, calling herself Marino. Nobody in the monastery knew that their new brother was actually a woman, and Marino developed a reputation for extreme piety, humility, and holiness. However, one day Marino and some of the other monks were sent on a trip, during which Marino was accused of fathering the child of an innkeeper's daughter. Though this was obviously impossible, the monk chose to accept exile as punishment rather than reveal herself as a woman. When the child was born, she adopted him and raised him as her own, feeding the baby with sheep milk. Eventually Marino and the child were accepted back into the monastery. The child became a monk himself, and Marino lived there until he died, whereupon his brothers finally learned

St. Christopher is one of the most widely-venerated saints, as being the patron of travel and transportation, is often included in prayers and on icons, necklaces, and pocket charms by the faithful while traveling. Christopher was a large, and apparently ugly man - for this reason he is often portrayed as an ogre or having the head of a dog. When he became Christian, he wanted to use his size and strength to serve those in need. Christopher took to carrying travelers across a dangerous river, which he could safely traverse because he was so tall and strong. According to legend, one such traveler, upon reaching the other shore, revealed himself to be a young Jesus.  Christopher is venerated as one of the 14 holy helpers . Lifetime:  ?? to 251 Region:  Roman Empire Patronages:  Transportation & travel; Athletics; Bachelors; Toothache Iconograpy:  Carrying Christ child; Tree branch; Dog head Feast Day:  May 9 (Eastern); July 25 (Western)

St. Monica was the mother of St. Augustine. Though she was a devout Christian, she was arranged in marriage to a pagan with a violent temper who would not let her baptize their children. Monica lived for decades praying for her husband and children's souls, and eventually her prayerful dedication led to her husband's conversion shortly before his death. She later befriended St. Ambrose , who was instrumental in her son Augustine's highly influential conversion. Lifetime:  331 to 387 Region:  Western Roman Empire Patronages:  Disappointing children; Conversion of relatives; Difficult marriages Iconograpy:  Lamentation scroll; Accompanying St. Augustine; Widow's weaves (black mourning clothes) Feast Day:  May 4 (Eastern, Anglican); August 27 (Roman Catholic)

St. Assicus was the first bishop of Elphin, Ireland, and was a person friend of St. Patrick . Before his conversion by Patrick, Assicus was a metalworker, especially in copper and brass, and likely continued his craft after converting to Christianity, crafting gold chalices and patens and even brass bells for use in the churches. After his death, his successors founded a school of art in his name, and many of the pieces they produced are well-known to this day. Lifetime:  400s Region:  Ireland Patronages:  Metalworkers; Elphin, Ireland Iconograpy:  Bishop's vestments; Metalworking hammer Feast Day:  April 27

St. Magnus of Orkney was an earl by birth, but found that his Christian values were not appreciated by the Viking culture of his birth. He wouldn't participate in raids, instead remaining on the ship and singing psalms, and when he and his cousin got into dispute over who should rule, Magnus negotiated peace, but his cousin betrayed him, coming in with an army at the arranged meeting. After Magnus prayed for the souls of his treacherous cousin and his executioners, he was martyred by being struck in the head on Easter Sunday. Lifetime:  1080 to 1117 Region:  Norway Patronages:  Orkney, Vikings Iconograpy:  Axe; Viking attire Feast Day:  April 16

As his name implies, St. Benjamin was a deacon. He lived during a period of persecution against Christians and after refusing to be silent about his faith, was tortured by having sharpened reeds stuck under his finger and toe nails, before eventually being brutally martyred. Lifetime:  329 to 424 Region:  Persia (modern Iran) Patronages:  Deacons; Preachers; Good fortune Iconograpy:  Diaconate vestments; Censer; Jerusalem box Feast Day:  March 31

Along with Agatha , Lucy , Agnes, Cecilia , and Anastasia , Saints Perpetua and Felicity are women saints mentioned during the Eucharistic prayer in the Roman Canon. Both Perpetua and Felicity were catechumens when they were arrested for their faith - Perpetua with a nursing baby, and Felicity about to give birth. Shortly after Felicity gave birth to her daughter, Perpetua and Felicity were beheaded in the public amphitheater. Their children were raised by other Christians in Carthage. Lifetime:  182 to 203 Region:  Carthage (modern Tunisia) Patronages:  Mothers; Ranchers; Butchers Iconograpy:  Two close women; Wearing red and/or white Feast Day:  March 7 (Western); February 1 (Eastern)

St. Polycarp was a disciple of St. John the Apostle and was appointed the bishop of Smyrna by that same Disciple Whom Jesus Loved. Polycarp was martyred after he refused to burn incense to the Roman emperor; first he was burned at the stake, but after surviving untouched by the flames, he was impaled with a spear. Upon his imminent death, Polycarp said, "I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ." Lifetime:  69 to 155 Region:  Smyrna (Modern Turkey) Patronages:  Earache sufferers; Dysentery Iconograpy:  Epistle to the Philippians; Surrounded by flames but unburnt; Pallium Feast Day:  February 23

St. Scholastica is often referred to as the sister or twin of St. Benedict , though it is unknown whether they are biologically related or share more of a spiritual siblinghood. In any case, the two corresponded regularly and once Scholastica even prayed for a storm so that Benedict's visit with her would be extended - a miracle which God provided her. She is also the founder of Benedictine nuns. In 1355, there was a student riot on her feast day after the students complained about the quality of wine served at the nearby tavern; the entire town was imposed penance for nearly 500 years following. Lifetime:  ~480 to 543 Region:  Modern Italy Patronages:  Benedictine nuns; Education; Rainstorms Iconograpy: Nun habit; Crozier; Dove Feast Day:  February 10

St. John Bosco is most well-known for his ministry with orphaned and abandoned young men, helping them find work, building their faith, and ensuring their employers were treating them fairly. He founded a Salesian  order and wrote numerous essays and biographies, one of which was instrumental in the canonization of his student, St. Dominic Savio. Lifetime:  1815 to 1888 Region:  Italy Patronages:  Juvenile delinquents; Editors; Magicians; Youth Iconograpy:  Cassock; Biretta; Group of youths; Often portrayed with St. Dominic Savio Feast Day:  January 31

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