Saint Who?: 39 Holy Unknowns

by Brian O'Neel

St. Hemma of Gurk? St. Deicolus? These saints are not household names, but maybe they should be. Although the Church recognizes thousands of saints, a relatively small number of them are well known to most Catholics. This book introduces the reader to a group of diverse saints—men and women, single and married, from all corners of the world—whose exploits have been lost to most of us. Each story highlights an aspect of that saint’s life that can be applied to today’s circumstances. The book contains a short biography of each saint, a section on why that saint merits our attention and devotion today, and a short prayer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Catholic

141 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2012

Reviews

[Katherine B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I am not Catholic, and merely picked up this book for the fun of it, as well as ideas for stories for my own writings, this book was not the great book of reminders of God’s amazing power that it would have been if I was Catholic.
After a while, the stories got kind of repetitive: person is unholy, gets saved in a dramatic moment, and BOOM! They’re perfect! Or they’re holy children who die young. Those are the two formulas for saints.
No disrespect intended to anyone who read this as a devotional or anything like that, but without the beliefs in the holiness of the saints, or without even saints in my denomination (Calvinist), this was merely a book like any other historical fiction book to me.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must vehemently disagree with another reviewer who claimed this book was about sinners who become perfect. On the contrary, the author quite pointedly notes the imperfections of many of the saints depicted in this little volume. No saint is perfect; that's not what being a canonized saint is all about. This is an enjoyable read with moments of gentle humor and candor, and the author admits that not much is known for certain regarding some of the most obscure of these saints. Each chapter focuses on a saint, recounting events in their lives, followed by a paragraph explaining why these men and women are deserving of our attention and relating their struggles to ours in the present day. Chapters finish with a prayer. Rather than read through this all at once, it made sense to me to treat it more like a devotional, reading 1 or 2 chapters a day, and giving time for reflection.

[Giulia · Rating 1 out of 5]

People. Don't brag about your AP English class if you're not a good writer. It's not becoming. And you're not giving your teacher a good review.

This guy needed his editor to go over it a few times. Plus, he needed to pick a writing style and stick with it. His attempt at the creative non-fiction essay failed miserably.

Along with spelling and grammar errors, I'm amazed I powered through this. Going in the donate box.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian O'Neel has masterfully compiled two volumes of the lives of little known Saints. This second volume, SAINT WHO, 39 HOLY UNKNOWNS, depicts the lives of obscure saints and blessed in a unique, compelling way. He ends each story with a meditation explaining 'why each deserves our attention and devotion', ending the chapter with a prayer. This is a fresh and inspiring read for any Catholic library.

[Chris Haigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw it on TikTok. Wouldn't recommend for anyone pro-choice but does contain the funniest flatulence-based karma I've read.

[Liz V. · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most cusory exposition on the saints with the author's suggestion of the meaning of their lives. Might be good for children.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasurable read, for sure. I love the breadth of saints discussed here. And it was a treat to see a prayer at the conclusion of each saint life!

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book was very informative. Everything was completely new to me.My only real complaint is that it wasn't long enough

[Allison Calhoun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and interesting read.