Beliefnet recently created a lovely gallery of saints with text by Thomas Craughwell. To get to the gallery, click here.

For centuries, the saints of the Roman Catholic Church have served as both inspirations and intercessors. From the lives they lived to their deaths–many as martyrs–they serve as an example of what a devout and holy life can be. They embody the virtues that most of us only strive for on our best days.

Many people also look to saints as intercessors who can understand our earthly struggles and will join us in prayers to God for assistance. While there are saints associated with all sorts of situations and conditions (there’s even a saint for the Internet) the seven saints featured here are associated with illness and chronic health conditions.

Click through our gallery and discover the stories of the saints.

To read more Beyond Blue, go to www.beliefnet.com/beyondblue, and to get to Group Beyond Blue, a support group at Beliefnet Community, click here.