The Everything Saints Book: The Inspiring Lives of Martyrs and Miracle Workers Throughout History

by Jenny Schroedel

In The Everything Saints Book, 2nd Edition , you'll learn about the fascinating lives (and sometimes untimely deaths) of more than 85 saints-and the miracles ascribed to them. In this authoritative new edition, you'll find rare quotes, little-known facts, and captivating stories of heroism and personal sacrifice,

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2007

About the author

Matushka Jenny Schroedel has published essays and book reviews in a variety of magazines, including Books & Culture, Portland Magazine, and First Things. She has a Masters in Theology from St. Vladimir's Seminary. She lives in Hawaii with her husband John, an Orthodox priest, and their two daughters.

Reviews

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely intro to what saints are and the traditions surrounding them. Lots of incredible/zooty/zany/heartwrenching/heartmelting/grim//questionable/virtuous/inspiring stories to be told. The main thing I’m struck by is the sheer diversity/eclecticism of the saints - it makes me more curious about William James’ Varieties of Religious Experience.

Fav saints:
St Teresa of Ávila the mystic who had to hold onto rails in church to prevent herself from ascending
St Kevin the otter whisperer / cow-milk miracle worker
St Augustine’s confessions
Bl. Damien of Molokai who helped a leper colony in Hawaii who was also known for his crudeness and impropriety
Fr. Kolbe sheltering thousands of people from Nazi persecution; in Auschwitz putting himself at the front line to a ‘deathbunker’ to replace another man who had a family; Kolbe during a vision choosing both the red crown of martyrdom and the white crown of purity. P epic.

“St Simeon became a hermit near Antioch; then he moved to the top of a mountain and his piety began to attract crowds. Going even farther to get away from them, he built a 10-foot-high pillar and lived on top of it. For the rest of his life he lived on successively higher pillars. The last was about 60 feet high and was his home for twenty years. None of the pillars measured more than 6 feet in diameter at the top. Clad in animal skins and host to quite a number of vermin, he preached from those positions, made converts, and was considered a respected and holy man. “

[Susannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do the author isn’t Catholic so she brings in people who are not canonized. And the book goes really quickly through random facts about each person so that it reads more like a board book for older people, including sporadic drawings. There lacks engaging storytelling. The organization could’ve been more thoughtful.

[Mary Abraham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty comprehensive list of saints and angels along with descriptions of how legends and traditions started in the catholic and orthodox churches.

[Magda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only kinda read through this book, but I checked it out of the library because of the author, the wife of an Orthodox priest (whom I know).

I was disappointed because it seemed to want to give fair play to the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic sides of things, but whenever it said "the Church," it meant the latter, even though it did mention that there were two sides of things. And, for instance, while the Eastern Orthodox Church does have a process of recognizing sainthood, it is called "glorification," not "canonization."

This could have been done better, and I think I see a heavy editorial hand in this.

[AnnaRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a look at many saints.

[Heather J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how the chapters were broken up to discuss different saints. I also enjoyed how Ms. Schroedel included Greek Orthodox saints in this lively book.