What do you think?
Rate this book
The Big Book of Women Saints
Most books about the saints are thin on women, especially contemporary women. Even Butler's LIVES OF THE SAINTS, the 'bible' of this category, lists far more men than women. No book about the saints could ignore such beloved early martyrs as Agnes of Rome and Lucy of Syracuse but this new book will introduce readers to many new women who have been canonized or beatified by Pope John Paul II. Of the more than 377 women mentioned in the book, 159 have been canonized or beatified since 1979. Approximately 100 of them lived in the twentieth century. This new book is also unique in that it uses the saint's own words wherever possible, taking advantage of newly discovered archives, memoirs and other primary sources. It will contain resources such as internet shrines and other websites, as well as little–known information on the canonization process.
480 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
111 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 31, 2023
2023 Review
I went through this one daily this year. Not only did I learn a guaranteed way to achieve sainthood (be a headstrong Italian girl in the medieval era who runs away to a convent), I gained a new appreciation for the role of saints in the Roman Catholic tradition.
Knocking off a star because it got really annoying that entries for saints were often nowhere near their feast days, and the entries on those feast days were off schedule too (not even within 7 days). The organization could use some polishing.
2022 Review
A daily devotional of sorts on lives of women saints. I appreciated Gallick's use of their words whenever possible. Each day includes a sentence or two on the "genius" of the saint; it felt a little cheesy to me to call it that, and didn't seem like a term most saints would have chosen. A Scripture verse for reflection is also included each day, which was interesting--sometimes a relevant verse from a service is chosen.
A list of endnotes provides further clarity for some sections. An annotated list of the saints and relevant works is extremely helpful for those who wish to study further. A separate bibliography groups foundational resources by geography, and an index lists the dates of each woman rather than a page number.
Overall, I enjoyed learning more about some lesser-known female saints, and would love to add this to my library and use it throughout the year. Recommended for anyone wanting to know historical sisters in the faith.
I went through this one daily this year. Not only did I learn a guaranteed way to achieve sainthood (be a headstrong Italian girl in the medieval era who runs away to a convent), I gained a new appreciation for the role of saints in the Roman Catholic tradition.
Knocking off a star because it got really annoying that entries for saints were often nowhere near their feast days, and the entries on those feast days were off schedule too (not even within 7 days). The organization could use some polishing.
2022 Review
A daily devotional of sorts on lives of women saints. I appreciated Gallick's use of their words whenever possible. Each day includes a sentence or two on the "genius" of the saint; it felt a little cheesy to me to call it that, and didn't seem like a term most saints would have chosen. A Scripture verse for reflection is also included each day, which was interesting--sometimes a relevant verse from a service is chosen.
A list of endnotes provides further clarity for some sections. An annotated list of the saints and relevant works is extremely helpful for those who wish to study further. A separate bibliography groups foundational resources by geography, and an index lists the dates of each woman rather than a page number.
Overall, I enjoyed learning more about some lesser-known female saints, and would love to add this to my library and use it throughout the year. Recommended for anyone wanting to know historical sisters in the faith.
June 4, 2023
Excellent resource as a daily read to a fascinating woman recognized by the Church each day of the year. Definitely worth reading.
5/5 stars
5/5 stars
September 30, 2019
If anyone is looking to get rid of a copy, I'll take it! Great resource, well researched and written!
December 31, 2015
I've read this book daily for the last year. Every day I've been introduced to a new saint (except my obscure one, of course). I found this read very informative and a superb resource with its sources and bibliography. Well researched, and entertaining. I'll be keeping it on my Kindle to go back over my notes and re-read what I've asterisked.
August 3, 2025
One of my resolutions in 2024 was to learn more about the saints. This was a solid reference book and a guaranteed-way to do that.
I understand that there probably isn’t much information available about certain saints… but a lot of the information written in this book was just like, “She joined the Carmelite order and was promoted to a higher position.” I was left craving more “cool” information. What did these women do to draw close to Jesus? What was so extraordinary about them that they were canonized? What was one of the canonization miracles? Some (most?) of the writings didn’t feature any information about that.
Also, the Bible verses of each day mostly seemed random, and the feast days were usually not close to the day that the Saint was featured on, so that was confusing.
Altogether, I can appreciate that the author must have done a lot of work to research so many female saints, and it did help me grow in my goal of learning more about the saints!
I understand that there probably isn’t much information available about certain saints… but a lot of the information written in this book was just like, “She joined the Carmelite order and was promoted to a higher position.” I was left craving more “cool” information. What did these women do to draw close to Jesus? What was so extraordinary about them that they were canonized? What was one of the canonization miracles? Some (most?) of the writings didn’t feature any information about that.
Also, the Bible verses of each day mostly seemed random, and the feast days were usually not close to the day that the Saint was featured on, so that was confusing.
Altogether, I can appreciate that the author must have done a lot of work to research so many female saints, and it did help me grow in my goal of learning more about the saints!
December 5, 2020
The Big Book of Women Saints, is a book that should have been read over a year's time. I imagine it should be read as a daily devotional. For each day from January 1st to December 31st, a female Saint is honored through a short biography and a prayer. Unfortunately, I read this book in a few weeks time, I am not sure I allowed myself time to really think about these holy women, their lives and how they made an impact. The saints I knew well are represented on their feast day, such as St Bernadette, St Dymphna, St Catherine (multiple), St Brigid, St Elizabeth...but there were so many saints I had never known. The lives of St Audrey, St Natalie, St Alice, St Marie Teresa, St Genevieve, St Edith and so many more were new to me. I definitely want to read this book again, but I would read it the way it was meant to be read.
January 4, 2023
I enjoyed very much reading about the women saints. They were so interesting I tried not to read ahead. Sarah is a good writer, enticing the reader to read more. She starts with an interesting tidbit about the saint.
I forget the interesting stories often, so I will reread this year again!
I forget the interesting stories often, so I will reread this year again!
December 23, 2024
Great book for an introduction to hundreds of female saints and would be saints. Each women gets a one page bio.
February 14, 2016
Good Devotional
These are short accounts of female saints for each day of the year. Don't however except a deep hagiographical work. The ok s also a short summary and prayer. Regardless of your religious background, you'll find food for thought and prayer.
These are short accounts of female saints for each day of the year. Don't however except a deep hagiographical work. The ok s also a short summary and prayer. Regardless of your religious background, you'll find food for thought and prayer.
April 22, 2016
Love, love, love this book! I am just as eager to read about holy women, as I am to read about people in recovery and/or anyone who has overcome tremendous odds!
September 27, 2013
Good reference book to own.
January 3, 2016
Read of a blessed or Saint each day in 2015. Very inspiring to concentrate on women's lives throughout history. Lots of information.
April 7, 2015
I learned a lot! its a quick read too!
February 25, 2016
You can open this book on any page and find a story wilder than whatever teevee or movies may bring you. This stuff is batshit looney and fantabulous.
March 16, 2016
The lives of these women is truly inspirational, and their lives vary so much. Some were hermits, others royals living truly remarkable lives.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews