“All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity; by this holiness as such a more human manner of living is promoted in this earthly society.” – Pope Paul VI
As Christians, we are all called to pursue holiness. For many of us, this calling may seem weighty, or even impossible. But when we look to the history of the Church, we find that God can take even the most dissolute of sinners and transform them into saints. From St. Augustine of Hippo to St. Margaret of Cortona, these men and women of God serve as examples of Christ’s redeeming power, and the calling that extends to all of us.
As we prepare our hearts for the Solemnity of All Saints this year, we invite you to explore five books about the lives of saints – may they encourage you in the pursuit of holiness.
Saints for Sinners
The saints are not only models of holiness for us to imitate; they’re reminders that God’s grace can outshine every human flaw.
As Alban Goodier’s classic Saints for Sinners shows us, even the greatest saints had to battle the same stubborn vices, temptations of the flesh, and bouts of spiritual aridity that afflict us today. Blending hagiographical detail, spiritual meditation, and masterful storytelling, Archbishop Goodier brings us the tales of:
- The gambling soldier who went on to found a religious order to care for the sick
- The willful Tuscan beauty who forsook a life of lust to answer God’s call
- The hedonistic heretic who became one of the Church’s greatest theologians
- And other inspiring tales of imperfect souls “made perfect in infirmity”
Read these stories and find in them delight, encouragement, and hope. You’ll come to see that there is no one so sinful, weak, or desolate that God has not already raised another like him to the heights of glory.
Butler’s Lives of the Saints
There is no greater authority on the saints than Alban Butler, and his enormous research has been the standard reference on the subject for the last 250 years. This new adaptation of Butler’s multi-volume Lives of the Saints presents a modernized text for today’s reader and provides an illuminating guide to these historic, symbolic, and foundational Christian men and women.
Butler’s daily readings from the lives and works of the saints offer readers of all backgrounds the opportunity to engage directly with these great figures. In this work, you can find inspiration for Christian living through the stories of saints who faced so many of the same difficulties we do today. This edition not only includes canonized saints, but those whose path to official sainthood is still in progress. Also featured in the daily readings are more obscure saints whose lives and contributions to Christianity should not be forgotten.
The Big Book of Women Saints
While most books about the saints contain more accounts of men than women, this collection by Sarah Gallick is dedicated specifically to highlighting the lives and contributions of female saints. Not only does this volume explore the stories of beloved early martyrs such as Agnes of Rome and Lucy of Syracuse, but it also introduces readers to many women who have been recently canonized or beatified. Through the incorporation of newly discovered archives, memoirs and other primary sources, this book lets you get to know over 370 women saints through their own words as well as existing historical accounts.
Splendor of the Saints
In this refreshing account, Fr. Aloysius Roche (1886-1968) explores the many ways saints have impacted the world and shaped history across the centuries. These stories will inspire you to follow the saints’ examples as you discover how they:
- Practiced heroic selflessness, self-denial, and generosity
- Demonstrated unflagging perseverance in fulfilling their missions
- Transformed society through innovative thinking
- Impacted the world’s geography, languages, and cultures
This new, definitive edition of Fr. Roche’s modern classic features a new foreword by Paul Thigpen, 133 new biographic and explanatory footnotes, comprehensive Scripture citations, and updated language making it accessible to the contemporary reader.
A Year with the Saints
“Those who follow the saints,” said Pope Clement I, “will themselves become saints.” Their words and deeds provide a treasury of time-tested wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration for the pursuit of holiness. Best-selling Catholic author Paul Thigpen opens up that treasury in A Year with the Saints: Daily Meditations with the Holy Ones of God. These 365 reflections draw from the writings and lives of holy men and women across 2,000 years, offering spiritual and practical insights for Christian living. This volume has a premium ultrasoft cover with two-tone sewn binding, a ribbon marker and gold edges.
*Book descriptions adapted in part from their respective publishers.
Looking for more book recommendations?
Profoundly gifted both as a scholar and storyteller, C.S. Lewis explored some of the most critical moral questions of our time with clarity and incision, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to impact believers and unbelievers alike for generations to come. In this Basilica Book Club post, you can explore these five classic works by C.S. Lewis, “the most reluctant convert.”