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My Life with the Saints
One of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of the Year
Winner of the Christopher Award
Winner of the Catholic Press Association Book Award
WITTY, WRYLY HONEST, AND ALWAYS ORIGINAL, My Life with the Saints is James Martin’s story of how his life has been shaped by some surprising friends—the saints of the Catholic Church. In his modern classic memoir, Martin introduces us to saints throughout history—from St. Peter to Dorothy Day, St. Francis of Assisi to Mother Teresa—and chronicles his lifelong friendships with them. Filled with fascinating tales, Martin’s funny, vibrant, and stirring book invites readers to discover how saints guide us throughout our earthly journeys and how they help each of us find holiness in our own lives.
Featuring a new chapter from Martin, this tenth-anniversary edition of the best-selling memoir updates readers about his life over the past ten years. In that time, he has been a New York Times best-selling author, official chaplain of The Colbert Report, and a welcome presence in the media whenever there’s a breaking Catholic news story. But he has always remained recognizably himself. John L. Allen, Jr., the acclaimed Catholic journalist, contributes a foreword that shows how Martin has become one of the wisest and most insightful voices of this era.
“An outstanding and often hilarious memoir.” —Publishers Weekly
“One of the best spiritual memoirs in years.” —Robert Ellsberg
“Remarkably engaging.” —U.S. Catholic
“Martin’s final word is as Jungian as it is Catholic: God does not want us to be Mother Teresa or Dorothy Day. God wants us to be most fully ourselves.” —The Washington Post Book World
Featuring a new chapter from Martin, this tenth-anniversary edition of the best-selling memoir updates readers about his life over the past ten years. In that time, he has been a New York Times best-selling author, official chaplain of The Colbert Report, and a welcome presence in the media whenever there’s a breaking Catholic news story. But he has always remained recognizably himself. John L. Allen, Jr., the acclaimed Catholic journalist, contributes a foreword that shows how Martin has become one of the wisest and most insightful voices of this era.
“An outstanding and often hilarious memoir.” —Publishers Weekly
“One of the best spiritual memoirs in years.” —Robert Ellsberg
“Remarkably engaging.” —U.S. Catholic
“Martin’s final word is as Jungian as it is Catholic: God does not want us to be Mother Teresa or Dorothy Day. God wants us to be most fully ourselves.” —The Washington Post Book World
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2006
563 people are currently reading
3422 people want to read
About the author
James Martin
53 books1,056 followersJames Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, writer, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).
During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.
He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).
During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.
He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.
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January 14, 2013
One of my reasonable goals for 2013 is to pay more attention to my neglected spiritual side. The urge has been there all along, but the last two months of 2012 increased the sense of urgency. "The world is too much with us late and soon," and all that. Reality needed to be checked.
So I scoured amazon for Thomas Merton-like writers. You know. Christians who aren't rolled in too much holy. Writers with a sense of humor and a sense of sin. Ordinary people like me who think too much for their own good. The guy I settled on, James Martin, has written a slew of books about his order, the Jesuits (known in college basketball circles as "The Big East" or, now, "The Catholic Schools").
With My Life with the Saints, Martin did a neat thing. He wrote his memoir through the lens of selected saints. This means you don't learn a lot about the saints and you don't learn a lot about Martin -- but you learn enough to be dangerous at a cocktail party (where people talk about saints all the time).
OK, so I jest. The narrative style is yeoman and welcoming. Nothing fancy by any means. But it's personable. Certainly Martin's voice comes through and you count him as a friend by the end. The saints covered are Joan of Arc, Thérèse of Lisieux, Thomas Merton (huzzah), Ignatius of Loyola, Pedro Arrupe, Bernadette Soubirous, Mother Teresa, Good Pope John XXIII, St. Peter, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, Joseph, the Ugandan martyrs, Aloysius Gonzaga, and Mary.
Without looking, I'm left with random observations -- Joan of Arc done in by the Feds, the Lisieux girl a shrinking violet, Merton the righteous writer and cool saint, Ignatius the founder of the Jesuits, Pedro the bureaucrat with heart, Mother Teresa the Albanian national who was canny about money, Gonzaga the 23-year-old goner, Pope John the jolly (and plump), St. Peter the rock (and prototypical "I am not worthy" sinner), Aquinas the fat scholar who married science with religion (the in-laws acted up at the reception), Francis the founder of the Franciscans, who stripped off his clothes in town square (streaking's antecedent in Italy, I think), and Mary the frightened but faithful.
More than that, yes, but these were initial impressions. And Martin does not pull punches about his own weaknesses and sins. He wisely advises that we NOT try to emulate saints but try to be "saintly" in our own ways. (He's speaking my language, but maybe that's because we Americans are such individualists). He taught me a new connotation for the word "indifference." The Jesuits see it as a positive thing. Thus, instead of "I don't care," it means "I'm as willing to do this as that, sacrifice this as that, volunteer for this or that."
A second, even wiser meaning for "indifferent" is being indifferent to people and things that used to annoy us, embarrass us, or injure our precious pride. I like that. It is the "grace of indifference" in that case. Instead of bitching and moaning about this loser or that, we shrug and accept them as human. We, too, have our annoying tendencies after all. We should count ourselves lucky if others react with the "grace of indifference" to our petty pride, odd quirks, and abundant weaknesses.
Finally, on a personal note, I swore off checking e-mail and a few websites (including this one) every weekday morning before getting ready for work. Instead, I got in the habit of reading a chapter of this book before getting into my walk-the-dog, make-breakfast, and shower routine. It was calming. It felt right. I was slowing myself down and reading about all these crazy sinners (at the core of every saint) who found different ways to commune with their spiritual sides.
So yeah. I think I'll continue. I have another Martin queued up for my second early-riser read, and then I might try some Buddhist or Hindu or Quaker or even plain old philosophy stuff. Maybe I'm kidding myself about the inner peace thing, but slowing down and thinking with some thinkers has proved helpful with that "world is too much with us" thing I mentioned up front. And it came none too soon....
So I scoured amazon for Thomas Merton-like writers. You know. Christians who aren't rolled in too much holy. Writers with a sense of humor and a sense of sin. Ordinary people like me who think too much for their own good. The guy I settled on, James Martin, has written a slew of books about his order, the Jesuits (known in college basketball circles as "The Big East" or, now, "The Catholic Schools").
With My Life with the Saints, Martin did a neat thing. He wrote his memoir through the lens of selected saints. This means you don't learn a lot about the saints and you don't learn a lot about Martin -- but you learn enough to be dangerous at a cocktail party (where people talk about saints all the time).
OK, so I jest. The narrative style is yeoman and welcoming. Nothing fancy by any means. But it's personable. Certainly Martin's voice comes through and you count him as a friend by the end. The saints covered are Joan of Arc, Thérèse of Lisieux, Thomas Merton (huzzah), Ignatius of Loyola, Pedro Arrupe, Bernadette Soubirous, Mother Teresa, Good Pope John XXIII, St. Peter, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, Joseph, the Ugandan martyrs, Aloysius Gonzaga, and Mary.
Without looking, I'm left with random observations -- Joan of Arc done in by the Feds, the Lisieux girl a shrinking violet, Merton the righteous writer and cool saint, Ignatius the founder of the Jesuits, Pedro the bureaucrat with heart, Mother Teresa the Albanian national who was canny about money, Gonzaga the 23-year-old goner, Pope John the jolly (and plump), St. Peter the rock (and prototypical "I am not worthy" sinner), Aquinas the fat scholar who married science with religion (the in-laws acted up at the reception), Francis the founder of the Franciscans, who stripped off his clothes in town square (streaking's antecedent in Italy, I think), and Mary the frightened but faithful.
More than that, yes, but these were initial impressions. And Martin does not pull punches about his own weaknesses and sins. He wisely advises that we NOT try to emulate saints but try to be "saintly" in our own ways. (He's speaking my language, but maybe that's because we Americans are such individualists). He taught me a new connotation for the word "indifference." The Jesuits see it as a positive thing. Thus, instead of "I don't care," it means "I'm as willing to do this as that, sacrifice this as that, volunteer for this or that."
A second, even wiser meaning for "indifferent" is being indifferent to people and things that used to annoy us, embarrass us, or injure our precious pride. I like that. It is the "grace of indifference" in that case. Instead of bitching and moaning about this loser or that, we shrug and accept them as human. We, too, have our annoying tendencies after all. We should count ourselves lucky if others react with the "grace of indifference" to our petty pride, odd quirks, and abundant weaknesses.
Finally, on a personal note, I swore off checking e-mail and a few websites (including this one) every weekday morning before getting ready for work. Instead, I got in the habit of reading a chapter of this book before getting into my walk-the-dog, make-breakfast, and shower routine. It was calming. It felt right. I was slowing myself down and reading about all these crazy sinners (at the core of every saint) who found different ways to commune with their spiritual sides.
So yeah. I think I'll continue. I have another Martin queued up for my second early-riser read, and then I might try some Buddhist or Hindu or Quaker or even plain old philosophy stuff. Maybe I'm kidding myself about the inner peace thing, but slowing down and thinking with some thinkers has proved helpful with that "world is too much with us" thing I mentioned up front. And it came none too soon....
October 24, 2007
This is a really great, life-changing kind of book. The author is a Jesuit priest and the book is basically a memoir of how various saints have played an important role in his own life. He also explains some of the theology about saints and why they are important and tells a little about the life of each saint that has played an important role in his life.
The main point of the book is that each saint has his or her own personality with individual strengths and weaknesses - and that this shows that there are many different ways to be holy. He also makes the point that God wants every person to be holy and that we can become holy by being true to ourselves and by following the righteous desires that God has given us.
This book was gave me a better understanding of and appreciation for the Catholic religion, strengthened my personal testimony of those principals that are taught in both the Catholic church and the Mormon church, and also made me grateful for the additional knowledge that has been restored through modern-day prophets.
This is a very thought-provoking, faith-promoting, uplifting book and I totally recommend it to everyone.
The main point of the book is that each saint has his or her own personality with individual strengths and weaknesses - and that this shows that there are many different ways to be holy. He also makes the point that God wants every person to be holy and that we can become holy by being true to ourselves and by following the righteous desires that God has given us.
This book was gave me a better understanding of and appreciation for the Catholic religion, strengthened my personal testimony of those principals that are taught in both the Catholic church and the Mormon church, and also made me grateful for the additional knowledge that has been restored through modern-day prophets.
This is a very thought-provoking, faith-promoting, uplifting book and I totally recommend it to everyone.
February 4, 2011
My favorite books are those which introduce me to other books or people I want to read/“meet”/learn more about. James Martin S.J.'s My Life With the Saints is exactly that sort of book! Of course most of the saints he writes about are old friends so there weren't too many introductions per se. Still reading and hearing about how my favorite heavenly allies have helped others in their spiritual journeys was very comforting. I found myself nodding, smiling and thinking, “That sounds just like St. Thérèse ... or I can imagine Mother Teresa doing that ... or isn’t that so like St. Joseph? There’s no denying the saints have personality. And even with the saints I felt I knew, I learned things I didn’t know and came to see their sanctity in a deeper way.
However, there were also some new faces among Fr. Martin's gallery of saints and that made the book especially enjoyable. Pedro Arrupe was completely unfamiliar to me although he was the head of the Jesuits in our modern age. And although I had heard of the Ugandan martyrs and St. Aloysius Gonzaga, I knew next to nothing about either.
Father Martin writes with humor, sensitivity and great perceptiveness about these friends of God, his own relationship with the saints and the Almighty and how learning about/with/through others has helped him along the way.
An easy and enjoyable read—spiritual without being preachy. A good introduction to Catholic saints for just about anyone but especially for non-Catholics as it written in very “user friendly” language, which many other books about the saints are not.
Highly recommended!
However, there were also some new faces among Fr. Martin's gallery of saints and that made the book especially enjoyable. Pedro Arrupe was completely unfamiliar to me although he was the head of the Jesuits in our modern age. And although I had heard of the Ugandan martyrs and St. Aloysius Gonzaga, I knew next to nothing about either.
Father Martin writes with humor, sensitivity and great perceptiveness about these friends of God, his own relationship with the saints and the Almighty and how learning about/with/through others has helped him along the way.
An easy and enjoyable read—spiritual without being preachy. A good introduction to Catholic saints for just about anyone but especially for non-Catholics as it written in very “user friendly” language, which many other books about the saints are not.
Highly recommended!
March 21, 2018
Every time I read a book by Jim Martin I feel like maybe we should be friends.
November 30, 2011
I am now officially a Father Martin fan. This is the second book of his that I've read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. More importantly, the stories and meditations on his favorite saints were packed with inspiration and practical wisdom. Father Martin's self-deprecating, witty writing style makes for a fun read that also happens to edify the soul.
April 13, 2009
My own experience with Catholic saints was better than most raised in the Catholic tradition. I always viewed them as adventurous fairy tales, having been exposed to the grim version of the Grimm fairy tales. This book is written by a Catholic priest who came into the priesthood without really knowing the canon of Catholic popular media like "The Bells of St. Mary's" or "The Song of Bernadette". Without having been influenced by the stranger aspects that can come with Catholic folklore, James Martin starts his personal narrative of "Life with the Saints" with a trip to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, the same monastic home of the late Thomas Merton. Merton's story greatly influenced Martin's life. The remainder of his accounts also are a telling of ways that various saints' stories had an effect in his life. Martin also sticks to factual research when relating the biographies of these Catholic celebrities making sure to steer away from the fantastic or cloyingly sentimental. His accounts are down to earth and told in a way that modern people can recognize and relate to. Because I am a great fan of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the chapter on Ignatius is my absolute favorite. In my experience, only a Jesuit priest can convey the true story of Ignatius' life and teachings with both truth and exuberance knowing the depth of knowledge, solace and meaning that can be found within the Exercises. Those who know them well have usually experienced a fun and fabulous time while remaining perfectly quiet. A very good read, indeed.
December 11, 2014
An absolutely fascinating book...and unlike any other book on saints I have ever read. Although it is nothing like a devotional, every page has a little nugget to help with your every day life as he relates the lessons learned from saints. He talks about how saints are important to us not because they all do great things for God, but because they are individuals whom God used to do seemingly small things in an extraordinary way.
June 6, 2011
If you went to Catholic grade school, odds are that your classroom or library had multiple "lives of saints" books for your eight-year-old self to peruse. Full of lavish pictures of romantically dressed men and women, the books told stories about people who traveled to exotic places, fought authority in the name of justice, and performed the occasional miracle or two. And if that wasn't enough to make your eight-year-old-self love them, you might just have gotten hooked by the fact that there are as many women saints as men saints. I know I was.
But let's face the demographic odds of early twenty-first century America. You probably didn't go to Catholic school, and you probably think of it as kind of a fictional place in itself, in which the saints are just the imaginary icing on the disappeared cake of catholic community ties. Or something like that. James Martin suspects that's how you feel. *He* didn't go to catholic school and still seems a little bewildered to have wound up a Jesuit priest in spite of his secular upbringing. And I think he's writing a saints' lives books for people like him, who know the saints mainly as kitschy jokes in flowing robes, but who find themselves drawn to them even so.
A lot of what I remember and love most about the saints' lives is in this book -- the saintly confrontations with authority, the miracles, the exotic places, even the romantic clothes. One significant addition Martin highlights about the saints' lives, that I don't remember from grade school, is their healthy senses of humor. I knew John XXIII could be funny and I was sure Francis of Assissi had a few good lines in him, but in Martin's hand even Therese of Lisieux comes off as liking a good laugh now and then. And that might just be the weapon that keeps them all faithful in the end -- Martin manages to tell story after story of ordinary people who find themselves in the throes of far-fetched religious devotion, and are able to recognize the absurdity of it without losing their real sense of faith. Certainly that's the story Martin tells about his own spiritual journey from Ivy-League business major to Jesuit priest.
Each chapter couples the story of a saint or saints' lives with a moment in Martin's life when he first encountered them. Thus Ignatius of Loyola presides over Martin's first year in seminary, and Mother Theresa over the six months he spends in Jamaica working with the Little Sisters of the Poor. The usual suspects for twentieth-century Catholic devotion are in here -- Thomas Merton, Bernadette Soubirous, Dorothy Day. Martin throws in more than a fair share of Jesuits for obvious reasons. I think I found myself most surprised by two chapters on what I think of as "generic" saints -- Joseph and Peter, whose lives can be found only in the Bible, and aren't fleshed out by any additional information. Martin uses the life of Peter (full of premature outbursts and hotheaded embarrassments) to meditate on how God allows us to use even the worst in ourselves. He focuses on Joseph to talk about the hiddenness in the lives of most saints. Which is probably the truest aspect of most real saints' lives, the ones we know ourselves in our daily lives. All the same, it doesn't keep us from being attracted to the more flamboyant ones.
But let's face the demographic odds of early twenty-first century America. You probably didn't go to Catholic school, and you probably think of it as kind of a fictional place in itself, in which the saints are just the imaginary icing on the disappeared cake of catholic community ties. Or something like that. James Martin suspects that's how you feel. *He* didn't go to catholic school and still seems a little bewildered to have wound up a Jesuit priest in spite of his secular upbringing. And I think he's writing a saints' lives books for people like him, who know the saints mainly as kitschy jokes in flowing robes, but who find themselves drawn to them even so.
A lot of what I remember and love most about the saints' lives is in this book -- the saintly confrontations with authority, the miracles, the exotic places, even the romantic clothes. One significant addition Martin highlights about the saints' lives, that I don't remember from grade school, is their healthy senses of humor. I knew John XXIII could be funny and I was sure Francis of Assissi had a few good lines in him, but in Martin's hand even Therese of Lisieux comes off as liking a good laugh now and then. And that might just be the weapon that keeps them all faithful in the end -- Martin manages to tell story after story of ordinary people who find themselves in the throes of far-fetched religious devotion, and are able to recognize the absurdity of it without losing their real sense of faith. Certainly that's the story Martin tells about his own spiritual journey from Ivy-League business major to Jesuit priest.
Each chapter couples the story of a saint or saints' lives with a moment in Martin's life when he first encountered them. Thus Ignatius of Loyola presides over Martin's first year in seminary, and Mother Theresa over the six months he spends in Jamaica working with the Little Sisters of the Poor. The usual suspects for twentieth-century Catholic devotion are in here -- Thomas Merton, Bernadette Soubirous, Dorothy Day. Martin throws in more than a fair share of Jesuits for obvious reasons. I think I found myself most surprised by two chapters on what I think of as "generic" saints -- Joseph and Peter, whose lives can be found only in the Bible, and aren't fleshed out by any additional information. Martin uses the life of Peter (full of premature outbursts and hotheaded embarrassments) to meditate on how God allows us to use even the worst in ourselves. He focuses on Joseph to talk about the hiddenness in the lives of most saints. Which is probably the truest aspect of most real saints' lives, the ones we know ourselves in our daily lives. All the same, it doesn't keep us from being attracted to the more flamboyant ones.
June 14, 2018
What a lovely spiritual memoir this book is. I've read a few other books by Fr. James Martin (Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity, Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life and The Abbey: A Story of Discovery) and I tend to find his narrative non-fiction more compelling than his fiction. This book was no exception.
I loved how personable and approachable he felt as the narrator of this book. Even the opening story about eating cereal so he could order prizes immediately called a picture to mind for me. I did find the chapters on some saints to be more compelling than others - whether that's the writing or the reader isn't clear to me. I'm certainly more drawn to some saints than others and it made me smile inwardly that I seem to find St. Ignatius more approachable and compelling than the Jesuit who wrote this book! :-) But I attribute this to what Fr. Martin ultimately proposes - we are each drawn more to some saints than others because we all need to learn different lessons in order to become more fully ourselves.
If for nothing else, read this book to understand this takeaway (one that is heavily influenced by Thomas Merton and St. Ignatius): our desires point us to who we can be when we are fully ourselves in God. God doesn't want us all to do and be the same. If He did, He would have made us more alike. Instead, I believe the way to fully bring about God's kingdom is to discern what we each are called to do and then do that.
If you're from a Protestant background and interested in understanding how Catholics view and experience Saints, this book is a great read. If you're Catholic, this very readable book may help you know and love Saints new or well-known.
I loved how personable and approachable he felt as the narrator of this book. Even the opening story about eating cereal so he could order prizes immediately called a picture to mind for me. I did find the chapters on some saints to be more compelling than others - whether that's the writing or the reader isn't clear to me. I'm certainly more drawn to some saints than others and it made me smile inwardly that I seem to find St. Ignatius more approachable and compelling than the Jesuit who wrote this book! :-) But I attribute this to what Fr. Martin ultimately proposes - we are each drawn more to some saints than others because we all need to learn different lessons in order to become more fully ourselves.
If for nothing else, read this book to understand this takeaway (one that is heavily influenced by Thomas Merton and St. Ignatius): our desires point us to who we can be when we are fully ourselves in God. God doesn't want us all to do and be the same. If He did, He would have made us more alike. Instead, I believe the way to fully bring about God's kingdom is to discern what we each are called to do and then do that.
If you're from a Protestant background and interested in understanding how Catholics view and experience Saints, this book is a great read. If you're Catholic, this very readable book may help you know and love Saints new or well-known.
July 11, 2007
I'm forcing myself to keep this book in my car so I only read it in small bites, and it's worth the wait for each new chunk.
I've been into saints for a few years now, and have read my way through a couple of "lives of the saints" books as well as a lot of stuff about particular saints online. But this book is special because of the way the author explains how he "met" each of the saints (that is, how he learned about their lives) and why each one is important to him. The tone is not just conversational but conspiratorial: I feel like I'm sitting in the kitchen with the author, late at night, sharing a pint of ice cream as he tells me about his friends, who just happen to have lived far away and died a long time ago.
I particularly like this book because it contains a chapter on Thomas Merton, who hasn't been canonized but who probably did more than any other saint to bring me into the Catholic Church.
I've been into saints for a few years now, and have read my way through a couple of "lives of the saints" books as well as a lot of stuff about particular saints online. But this book is special because of the way the author explains how he "met" each of the saints (that is, how he learned about their lives) and why each one is important to him. The tone is not just conversational but conspiratorial: I feel like I'm sitting in the kitchen with the author, late at night, sharing a pint of ice cream as he tells me about his friends, who just happen to have lived far away and died a long time ago.
I particularly like this book because it contains a chapter on Thomas Merton, who hasn't been canonized but who probably did more than any other saint to bring me into the Catholic Church.
May 11, 2025
I began this one a few years ago.... it's the sort of book you can pick up and put down. I guess I put it down and never picked it up again ha. For Lent this year I tried reading only spiritual books so decided to finish it. I enjoyed the humor alot ~The Saint of the Sock Drawer~ from the author's mail order statue of Saint Jude that he hid in his sock drawer as a little boy so that his friends didn't laugh at him.~The glow in the dark Pieta' from the 1964 Worlds Fair that would provide hours of nighttime fascination~
To the more meaningful deeper lessons learned from his "Saint Friends". The lesson from studying St. Peter that the most human of saints could be the most relatable due to his failings faults and shortcomings. Not DESPITE but BECAUSE of them.
The example of Pope John XXXIII in advocating for ecumenical Christian union, social justice and human rights during a time that these issues weren't common in Catholicism.
I enjoyed the chapter on Pedro Arrupe the superior general of the Jesuit Order between 1965 and 1983. After a falling out with Pope John Paul II and a debilitating stroke at the age of 74 he was removed by the pope as superior general. Overcome with grief he began on the most difficult and final 10 years of his life with grace and obedience. He wrote "more than ever I find myself in God's hands. This is what I have always wanted from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely WITH GOD. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so TOTALLY in God's hands."
The chapters on Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day didn't strike a chord with me....I just didn't click with them.
I loved the chapter on St. Joseph....and how the author tied together St. Joseph's hidden life of holiness to our lives today. To embrace humility through hidden acts of grace when it is so tempting and fulfilling to bask in the praise and adulation of others for acts of Christ-like love and charity. ***GUILTY****
This is a book with many highlights, stars and notes by me that I will return to many times.
To the more meaningful deeper lessons learned from his "Saint Friends". The lesson from studying St. Peter that the most human of saints could be the most relatable due to his failings faults and shortcomings. Not DESPITE but BECAUSE of them.
The example of Pope John XXXIII in advocating for ecumenical Christian union, social justice and human rights during a time that these issues weren't common in Catholicism.
I enjoyed the chapter on Pedro Arrupe the superior general of the Jesuit Order between 1965 and 1983. After a falling out with Pope John Paul II and a debilitating stroke at the age of 74 he was removed by the pope as superior general. Overcome with grief he began on the most difficult and final 10 years of his life with grace and obedience. He wrote "more than ever I find myself in God's hands. This is what I have always wanted from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely WITH GOD. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so TOTALLY in God's hands."
The chapters on Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day didn't strike a chord with me....I just didn't click with them.
I loved the chapter on St. Joseph....and how the author tied together St. Joseph's hidden life of holiness to our lives today. To embrace humility through hidden acts of grace when it is so tempting and fulfilling to bask in the praise and adulation of others for acts of Christ-like love and charity. ***GUILTY****
This is a book with many highlights, stars and notes by me that I will return to many times.
October 2, 2025
My Life with the Saints was a very interesting book with information I would never have imagined without taking this journey. I was pleasantly surprised at how Father Martin described his life journey so openly from his childhood, through business school, short career with General Electric and then finally deciding that becoming a Jesuit priest would be his calling.
His book is mainly written about the Saints who had influenced his journey to priesthood. He would pray to these Saints and ask them to pray for him. He said that it was only by faith and his Christian beliefs that he could have contemplated such a journey.
The Jesuit's have a different path to priesthood. They take on vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It takes years of volunteering and studies to meet the requirements. Father Martin often speaks of the difficulties or struggles he had in keeping this path.
When I started reading this life story I was very curious as to why someone would decide to live their life with such dedication to their faith. Father Martin was very open with talking about his decisions and yet added that all of our paths and our experiences were just as important as the Saints in the eyes of God. He emphasized that we should be ourselves.
His book is mainly written about the Saints who had influenced his journey to priesthood. He would pray to these Saints and ask them to pray for him. He said that it was only by faith and his Christian beliefs that he could have contemplated such a journey.
The Jesuit's have a different path to priesthood. They take on vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It takes years of volunteering and studies to meet the requirements. Father Martin often speaks of the difficulties or struggles he had in keeping this path.
When I started reading this life story I was very curious as to why someone would decide to live their life with such dedication to their faith. Father Martin was very open with talking about his decisions and yet added that all of our paths and our experiences were just as important as the Saints in the eyes of God. He emphasized that we should be ourselves.
July 14, 2020
A lovely introduction to the saints that have influenced Martin’s life so far. Additionally interesting is the peek into Martin’s experience as a Jesuit priest.
September 15, 2017
The church I grew up in consistently referred to Rome as the whore of Babylon, so needless to say I didn't learn anything about saints. I knew Biblical personalities, sure, but was completely oblivious to the hundreds of men and women throughout the Christian era who served as outstanding examples, witnesses, or reproaches to the rest of us. I encountered a few in history books, like St. Augustine, but they were more statuesque than human. The sole exception was Joan of Arc, who began as a figure from history but became (as I read various biographies) someone I felt an odd sense of affection for. James Martin grew up Catholic, but his saintly education seems to have been almost as paltry as mine, discovering most of them as he attended seminary and trained to be a Jesuit. In the beginning, Martin notes that Catholics approach saints as both intercessors and companions; the latter approach inspiring most of this book.
My Life with the Saints mixes biography -- his, the saints, and others -- with spiritual reflection. In each chapter, Martin recounts his encounter with each personality, sharing how they shaped and informed his own spirituality while connecting their lives to people he has worked with through the years. St. Francis, "the fool for Christ", is revisited in the story of another 'fool', a priest who worked with gangs in Chicago and would try to disrupt fights by walking into the middle of the fracas, dressed in a blue-jean robe. Martin mixes Biblical, medieval, and modern personalities, and includes a fair few people (notably Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day) who aren't "official" saints. Although I purchased this hoping to meet a lot of obscure personalities, the mix meant only a handful were completely new to me. Even so, I found Martin's meditations refreshing, particularly the conclusion in which he remarked on the variety of the saints -- old, young, rural, urban, intellectual, hardy, mystical, rational -- and the hope that presents to readers, that sainthood isn't limited to a superhero type.
Related:
The Long Loneliness, Dorothy Day
The Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton
The Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, Mark Twain
My Life with the Saints mixes biography -- his, the saints, and others -- with spiritual reflection. In each chapter, Martin recounts his encounter with each personality, sharing how they shaped and informed his own spirituality while connecting their lives to people he has worked with through the years. St. Francis, "the fool for Christ", is revisited in the story of another 'fool', a priest who worked with gangs in Chicago and would try to disrupt fights by walking into the middle of the fracas, dressed in a blue-jean robe. Martin mixes Biblical, medieval, and modern personalities, and includes a fair few people (notably Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day) who aren't "official" saints. Although I purchased this hoping to meet a lot of obscure personalities, the mix meant only a handful were completely new to me. Even so, I found Martin's meditations refreshing, particularly the conclusion in which he remarked on the variety of the saints -- old, young, rural, urban, intellectual, hardy, mystical, rational -- and the hope that presents to readers, that sainthood isn't limited to a superhero type.
Related:
The Long Loneliness, Dorothy Day
The Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton
The Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, Mark Twain
April 11, 2020
I have been an admirer of Fr. Jim Martin for a couple of years. He is a popular speaker who is often the face of the American Catholic Church on television. He is a savvy negotiator of cultural currents who displays a self-deprecating sense of humor. So I chose this book by him as part of my Lenten reading.
Fr. Martin approaches the saints and sainthood with both reverence and a historical sense. Not every one that he included in the book have been canonized by the Church--Fr. Pedro Arrupe, Thomas Merton, and Dorothy Day are given their due as potential saints and people to be admired. He also includes some about whom little is known historically--St. Peter, St. Jude, and Mary fall into this category. But each chapter paints a picture of the saint and how he/she is relevant in the Church today. Fr. Martin reveals how these saints have influenced him personally in his journey of faith. He also suggests how we might find their lives and intercessions to be part of our spiritual lives.
Not every saint is going to be appeal to every reader, or be a role model for every Catholic. In fact, some are pretty daunting, like Ignatius of Loyola and Thomas Aquinas. But Fr. Martin emphasizes how each of the saints, and each of us, has a special gift to be used for the honor and glory of God. I am not called to copy someone else's spiritual journey, but to find inspiration for my own.
Highly recommended for spiritual reading.
Fr. Martin approaches the saints and sainthood with both reverence and a historical sense. Not every one that he included in the book have been canonized by the Church--Fr. Pedro Arrupe, Thomas Merton, and Dorothy Day are given their due as potential saints and people to be admired. He also includes some about whom little is known historically--St. Peter, St. Jude, and Mary fall into this category. But each chapter paints a picture of the saint and how he/she is relevant in the Church today. Fr. Martin reveals how these saints have influenced him personally in his journey of faith. He also suggests how we might find their lives and intercessions to be part of our spiritual lives.
Not every saint is going to be appeal to every reader, or be a role model for every Catholic. In fact, some are pretty daunting, like Ignatius of Loyola and Thomas Aquinas. But Fr. Martin emphasizes how each of the saints, and each of us, has a special gift to be used for the honor and glory of God. I am not called to copy someone else's spiritual journey, but to find inspiration for my own.
Highly recommended for spiritual reading.
June 9, 2009
Reading Jesuit James Martin’s My Life with the Saints, brought home many key concepts for me. Some were just reinforcements of what I already know and understand, but there were other concepts, that I have felt before but could never describe, put into words, fully extrapolate, etc. You get the idea, I am sure. “Who trusts in God lacks nothing” was a Swahili proverb Martin cites at the start of one of the later chapters, and can really be seen as wrapping up the book’s entire message in a nice neat little package.
Throughout the chapter on Terese of Lisieux, Martin explains how he came to terms with his own feelings towards his faith and the fact that many he has and will come in contact with will have the opposite reaction. The quoted insight from Terese that “prayer is the heart’s impulse, a simple gaze toward heaven” becomes a point of meditation for Martin, and for us all to “more peacefully accept what the day places before us.” This simple woman introduces the simplicity Martin will keep throughout the book. Keeping his experiences real and tangible for the reader. As well as, inspiring one to read on.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Jesuit order, brings finding God to a simple level. Not to be overstated… Ignatius found God everywhere, during these inspirational moments he would shed tears in wonder and adoration. This is similar to my own experiences of late. My daughter walked into one of these moments for me, at first concerned and then completely understanding and, astounding for a nine-year-old, assuring me I was not silly or over-sentimental – I was just seeing or feeling the “good” in life.
Beginning with Ignatius and continued throughout the book, Martin brings to light being “indifferent”. This struck a cord with me – a revelation of sorts. Removing the negative connotation and brining a freedom I had never thought of and a realization that I already embrace this liberating indifference at times; at work, or with my husband’s decisions for himself. Martin describes being counseled to “Pray for the grace of indifference… Can you be indifferent to your need to have things happen on your own timetable?” This, of course connects back to Terese of Lisieux’s “accept what the day places before us.” How interesting that even so early in the book he is tying everything together for the reader.
Martin also gives a basic introduction to Ignatius “Conscientia” or examination of conscious. A five-step daily process I have heard about before in homilies from our parish priest and have, on occasion, taken a stab at myself.
Step One – Pray for God to be with you
Step Two – Recall the events of your day you are grateful for
Step Three – Review your day, notice God’s presence in the day, seeking an awareness of where you accepted (or did not accept) God’s grace.
Step Four – Ask God for forgiveness for any wrongdoings or sins
Step Five – Ask God for the grace to follow him more closely the following day.
Following this formula, makes for a much more “deliberate” life. While I have not embraced doing this daily, even since when I began to read this book, I have found myself contemplating his points throughout the day.
Martin reflects on C. S. Lewis and trying to better recognize the moments of beauty and grace in life. This is timeless and tremendous advice that we all should follow. I see these, in retrospect and I know I should reflect on them more: lunches with my father, conversations with my mother, a passage I might read that is poignant to my current life, a moment with my children, my son learning a new word while learning to read, my daughter practicing piano. How much more would we appreciate we have, time and moments, not just physical possessions. Martin describes this as “feeling a sense of God’s promise, an invitation to limitless joy.” But this formula takes commitment, discipline and balance. Utilizing Ignatius and Pedro Arrupe, a past Superior General of the Jesuits (who I had never read of before), Martin brings us to the understanding or perhaps to the acceptance that we should all be seeking to find this greater relationship with God. This study of Arrupe brings the reader back to the theme of indifference, accepting, no matter what we are handed in life.
Martin states that the good accept decisions and trust that the Holy Spirit is at work and that through dedication God will somehow work through us. He compares this “to the seriousness with which couples take their marriage vows during rocky periods in their relationship. The trust that even though things are rough at the time or their marriage seems to make little earthly sense their vows are a sign of God’s fidelity to them, a symbol of the rightness of their commitment and a reason to trust that God will see them through”. This trust, brought together with the freedom of indifference and the constant search for recognition of the grace present in our lives comes through Martin’s reflections of his saints.
Martin’s further discussion of Mary, St. Joseph, Mother Teresa and St. Bernadette and Dorothy Day bring out different points and experiences, but perpetually back to these same key points:
Mary – in answer to her great calling, she found God by simply being aware and brought us all a great gift.
St. Joseph – using his talents, raised and provided for a family and a community that would shape our culture and civilization
Mother Teresa reminding us we are all called, though not called for our own glory, but that of the greater good, we all have something to contribute to our interdependent societies (which brought me to my readings of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits)
Dorothy Day and St. Bernadette of Soubrious – both struggling to be true to themselves and eventually finding God through their struggle.
I especially appreciated Pope John XXIII’s (Angelo Roncalli) insight “the idea that one would be better off somewhere else is an illusion.” I would strongly recommend this book to the “diverse” reader. Whether Catholic, Christian or not – for a better appreciation of your own faith or a glimpse into what makes others “tick” There is more wrapped up in this reading than I could ever review here.
Would love to further discuss – any takers?
Throughout the chapter on Terese of Lisieux, Martin explains how he came to terms with his own feelings towards his faith and the fact that many he has and will come in contact with will have the opposite reaction. The quoted insight from Terese that “prayer is the heart’s impulse, a simple gaze toward heaven” becomes a point of meditation for Martin, and for us all to “more peacefully accept what the day places before us.” This simple woman introduces the simplicity Martin will keep throughout the book. Keeping his experiences real and tangible for the reader. As well as, inspiring one to read on.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Jesuit order, brings finding God to a simple level. Not to be overstated… Ignatius found God everywhere, during these inspirational moments he would shed tears in wonder and adoration. This is similar to my own experiences of late. My daughter walked into one of these moments for me, at first concerned and then completely understanding and, astounding for a nine-year-old, assuring me I was not silly or over-sentimental – I was just seeing or feeling the “good” in life.
Beginning with Ignatius and continued throughout the book, Martin brings to light being “indifferent”. This struck a cord with me – a revelation of sorts. Removing the negative connotation and brining a freedom I had never thought of and a realization that I already embrace this liberating indifference at times; at work, or with my husband’s decisions for himself. Martin describes being counseled to “Pray for the grace of indifference… Can you be indifferent to your need to have things happen on your own timetable?” This, of course connects back to Terese of Lisieux’s “accept what the day places before us.” How interesting that even so early in the book he is tying everything together for the reader.
Martin also gives a basic introduction to Ignatius “Conscientia” or examination of conscious. A five-step daily process I have heard about before in homilies from our parish priest and have, on occasion, taken a stab at myself.
Step One – Pray for God to be with you
Step Two – Recall the events of your day you are grateful for
Step Three – Review your day, notice God’s presence in the day, seeking an awareness of where you accepted (or did not accept) God’s grace.
Step Four – Ask God for forgiveness for any wrongdoings or sins
Step Five – Ask God for the grace to follow him more closely the following day.
Following this formula, makes for a much more “deliberate” life. While I have not embraced doing this daily, even since when I began to read this book, I have found myself contemplating his points throughout the day.
Martin reflects on C. S. Lewis and trying to better recognize the moments of beauty and grace in life. This is timeless and tremendous advice that we all should follow. I see these, in retrospect and I know I should reflect on them more: lunches with my father, conversations with my mother, a passage I might read that is poignant to my current life, a moment with my children, my son learning a new word while learning to read, my daughter practicing piano. How much more would we appreciate we have, time and moments, not just physical possessions. Martin describes this as “feeling a sense of God’s promise, an invitation to limitless joy.” But this formula takes commitment, discipline and balance. Utilizing Ignatius and Pedro Arrupe, a past Superior General of the Jesuits (who I had never read of before), Martin brings us to the understanding or perhaps to the acceptance that we should all be seeking to find this greater relationship with God. This study of Arrupe brings the reader back to the theme of indifference, accepting, no matter what we are handed in life.
Martin states that the good accept decisions and trust that the Holy Spirit is at work and that through dedication God will somehow work through us. He compares this “to the seriousness with which couples take their marriage vows during rocky periods in their relationship. The trust that even though things are rough at the time or their marriage seems to make little earthly sense their vows are a sign of God’s fidelity to them, a symbol of the rightness of their commitment and a reason to trust that God will see them through”. This trust, brought together with the freedom of indifference and the constant search for recognition of the grace present in our lives comes through Martin’s reflections of his saints.
Martin’s further discussion of Mary, St. Joseph, Mother Teresa and St. Bernadette and Dorothy Day bring out different points and experiences, but perpetually back to these same key points:
Mary – in answer to her great calling, she found God by simply being aware and brought us all a great gift.
St. Joseph – using his talents, raised and provided for a family and a community that would shape our culture and civilization
Mother Teresa reminding us we are all called, though not called for our own glory, but that of the greater good, we all have something to contribute to our interdependent societies (which brought me to my readings of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits)
Dorothy Day and St. Bernadette of Soubrious – both struggling to be true to themselves and eventually finding God through their struggle.
I especially appreciated Pope John XXIII’s (Angelo Roncalli) insight “the idea that one would be better off somewhere else is an illusion.” I would strongly recommend this book to the “diverse” reader. Whether Catholic, Christian or not – for a better appreciation of your own faith or a glimpse into what makes others “tick” There is more wrapped up in this reading than I could ever review here.
Would love to further discuss – any takers?
March 19, 2022
I am not Catholic but I really loved this book. Even though the author was talking about his personal spiritual journey in becoming a Jesuit priest and how he came to have relationships with various Saints, I found that many of the same principles applied to my own spiritual journey in a very real way. The writing style is beautiful--almost lyrical at times which made for a delightful read. I have book marks, and post-it-notes throughout the text so I can go back and reread passages for deeper study and thought. It was so tempting to grab a pen and just start underlining the text, but I refrained.
Devotion to God is a universal activity and I loved that Father Martin was able to portray his own development and devotion as well as the development and devotion of selected Saints in such a way that I recognized my own development and devotion and more importantly saw ways to improve that devotion. It took me a few days to read because I found that I wanted to stop and reflect from time to time rather than just plow through it. This book was stimulating on an intellectual level, a moral level, and a spiritual level. It is a gem! So glad I read it.
Devotion to God is a universal activity and I loved that Father Martin was able to portray his own development and devotion as well as the development and devotion of selected Saints in such a way that I recognized my own development and devotion and more importantly saw ways to improve that devotion. It took me a few days to read because I found that I wanted to stop and reflect from time to time rather than just plow through it. This book was stimulating on an intellectual level, a moral level, and a spiritual level. It is a gem! So glad I read it.
February 5, 2026
Amazing - Added to Forever Favorites - Will 100% read again!
While I am not Catholic I really enjoyed this read. I love biographies and autobiographies and this was BOTH!!! James Martin, SJ did an amazing job of bringing 16 saints to life, while sharing his own journey in life. I appreciated how each of them played a role in his life and this book has definitely made me curious to explore more saints and their stories. I loved the wide variety of backgrounds of the saints. How many of them had sinful pasts, yet found their way to God and following His calling for them. How they all were from different places, spoke different languages, had different purposes. It definitely made me think differently about them and even why Catholics pray to them and develop bonds/affections for certain saints. I cried many times throughout the book and love how much it touched my heart.
While I am not Catholic I really enjoyed this read. I love biographies and autobiographies and this was BOTH!!! James Martin, SJ did an amazing job of bringing 16 saints to life, while sharing his own journey in life. I appreciated how each of them played a role in his life and this book has definitely made me curious to explore more saints and their stories. I loved the wide variety of backgrounds of the saints. How many of them had sinful pasts, yet found their way to God and following His calling for them. How they all were from different places, spoke different languages, had different purposes. It definitely made me think differently about them and even why Catholics pray to them and develop bonds/affections for certain saints. I cried many times throughout the book and love how much it touched my heart.
February 4, 2018
I read this book on the recommendation of my amazing niece, Jen Bergeron, and I was not disappointed. Fr. Martin is very 'human' and down-to earth, making this book enjoyable. I did learn a lot about saints I already knew and saints I had not even heard of before. This book confirmed for me the fact that God has a purpose for all of us and it is unique for each of us. I particularly enjoyed reading about Pope John the XXIII, so much so that I've checked out one of the books Fr. Martin mentioned in his book. Thanks for the enjoyable read!
December 14, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and the author’s style of introducing a saint as well as how that particular saint had an impact on his life. It was and easy read that sparked my interest in several saints I hadn’t heard of.
May 23, 2018
Beautifully written, with a ton of personality and inspiring stories of people who really spent their life dedicated to the well-being of humanity.
August 5, 2020
Another great book by Fr. Martin!
May 6, 2022
Though I’m not Catholic & don’t view “saints” in the way Catholic people do, the book is very well written & taught me a lot of history in an enjoyable way.
March 21, 2025
I nibbled on this book rather than reading it cover to cover. Father Martin explored the lives of saints that affected his life or who he identified with and learned from. Fascinating to me.
March 10, 2017
I am so happy to have received this book as a gift. In it Father Martin opened my mind to a whole new way of looking at saints and how their stories may influence my story. He introduced me to saints that I did not know and reacquainted me with many others. Father Martin showed me that saints are human and unique individuals that permitted Jesus to become the center of their lives. We are all called to be saints; to be ourselves centered on Jesus. I feel that this is one book that I will return to often.
May 31, 2009
I've never really been interested to read what I've traditionally seen as a "lives of the saints" book. I have, however, taken time over the years to learn about specific people I've considered role models - Mother Teresa and Saint Francis, Dorothy Day and Pope John Paul, among others. In this book, James Martin writes a short chapter on each of 16 "saints" - some canonized, some blessed, some just admirable people you'd want to emulate in some way. Martin keeps the book interesting by moving it along in a sort of autobiography of himself - his spiritual and Jesuit formation, his own personal struggles with his faith and vocation, and his wanting to become a better person.
The thing I liked the best about this book was the realization that all these saints were (1) very diverse people, and (2) very human people. All the saints had doubts, all had fears. Some carried burdens of pride or arrogance, some were not accepted by society. Some had a very hard time giving up the things they did. Some parented illigitimate children, went through trajedies of abortion, betrayal, or other loss. But, these two points drive home the point Martin was trying to make. Anyone can be a saint ("all they have to do is want to become one!"). There is no cookie cutter of what a "saintly" person is like. Also, there is no excuse that "I'm not holy enough" - all of these people were far from holy at one time or another in their lives. The common thread was love and dedication for God, and a willingness to pray. How simple.
Mother Teresa encouraged many visitors to go home. "find your own Calcutta," she told them. And so in life, we're not all called to be Mother Teresas. Or Dorothy Days or Thomas Mertons. God has created each of us to be US and to listen to what "we" should do in any situation. And so the new saints of God's creation are being formed each day, to live as the individuals we are and as no other person has ever lived before... but as always, for God.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about these people in 10 or so pages each, as well as anyone who wants to jump start their spiritual life by reading about the experiences, struggles and rebuilding of others (including the author).
The thing I liked the best about this book was the realization that all these saints were (1) very diverse people, and (2) very human people. All the saints had doubts, all had fears. Some carried burdens of pride or arrogance, some were not accepted by society. Some had a very hard time giving up the things they did. Some parented illigitimate children, went through trajedies of abortion, betrayal, or other loss. But, these two points drive home the point Martin was trying to make. Anyone can be a saint ("all they have to do is want to become one!"). There is no cookie cutter of what a "saintly" person is like. Also, there is no excuse that "I'm not holy enough" - all of these people were far from holy at one time or another in their lives. The common thread was love and dedication for God, and a willingness to pray. How simple.
Mother Teresa encouraged many visitors to go home. "find your own Calcutta," she told them. And so in life, we're not all called to be Mother Teresas. Or Dorothy Days or Thomas Mertons. God has created each of us to be US and to listen to what "we" should do in any situation. And so the new saints of God's creation are being formed each day, to live as the individuals we are and as no other person has ever lived before... but as always, for God.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about these people in 10 or so pages each, as well as anyone who wants to jump start their spiritual life by reading about the experiences, struggles and rebuilding of others (including the author).
May 20, 2012
My husband will say, "What a surprise! Another book you love!" I guess I wouldn't love to read if I only read books that were average. No, I like to try to be pretty selective about what I read, and have learned not to invest the time if it's not worth it for me, regardless of what others think. I do think, with the amazing number of books out there, it is important to read it all, but also to read the best of the best. So, why is this book another home run for me?
I have been Protestant all my life, so it's sometimes hard to understand Saints. All Christians are eventually Saints, so why do Catholics make such a big deal about them? Why do they pray " to" them? What is so special about people who have been recognized as Saints by the Catholic church? What's the big deal? This book answered those questions for me, and tugged at my heart, too, in ways that I was totally not expecting.
Martin is a good writer and appears to be a good priest too. His love of his God and the world, whom he serves, shines through in this book. I plan to read more of his writings, and am especially intrigued with his book about when he served as a priest for a theatrical group in their off broadway production of Judas. He said that he was surprised to find how loving theater people are and how they ministered to him when he thought he was there to minister to them. Can't wait to read it, having experienced much the same thing right here in Paris, Texas.
I have been Protestant all my life, so it's sometimes hard to understand Saints. All Christians are eventually Saints, so why do Catholics make such a big deal about them? Why do they pray " to" them? What is so special about people who have been recognized as Saints by the Catholic church? What's the big deal? This book answered those questions for me, and tugged at my heart, too, in ways that I was totally not expecting.
Martin is a good writer and appears to be a good priest too. His love of his God and the world, whom he serves, shines through in this book. I plan to read more of his writings, and am especially intrigued with his book about when he served as a priest for a theatrical group in their off broadway production of Judas. He said that he was surprised to find how loving theater people are and how they ministered to him when he thought he was there to minister to them. Can't wait to read it, having experienced much the same thing right here in Paris, Texas.
October 6, 2010
The book is well written, a good summary of several saint's lives, and is obviously painstakingly researched. James Martin, S.J. has personalized the renderings of the saints lives with references to his own experiences. Yet, I find it difficult to retain a keen interest in reading the rest of the book, although I must admit that it gets more interesting as the book progresses. I have had to read it in fits and starts over a prolonged period of time and am determined to finish it. Right now I am on page 305. More will follow later if and when I finish it.
Well, I finally finished reading the book. It was somewhat tedious at times, interesting intermittently, rather academic and occasionally boring. This, of course, is my personal opinion and has little to do with what others might think after reading it. I wish I could say that I got a lot out of reading the book, but that is not the case. Nevertheless, I would recommend the book to others on the basis of its merits as an honest and truthful rendition of some of the saints lives. James Martin, S.J. obviously did his homework and rendered the facts and his impressions as he interpreted and encountered them.
Dennis Lid
Well, I finally finished reading the book. It was somewhat tedious at times, interesting intermittently, rather academic and occasionally boring. This, of course, is my personal opinion and has little to do with what others might think after reading it. I wish I could say that I got a lot out of reading the book, but that is not the case. Nevertheless, I would recommend the book to others on the basis of its merits as an honest and truthful rendition of some of the saints lives. James Martin, S.J. obviously did his homework and rendered the facts and his impressions as he interpreted and encountered them.
Dennis Lid
November 26, 2016
I actually read this after reading Martin"s book, Jesus: a parable, which I rated high and loved reading. In fact that was how I was into refocused to James Martin's work. I bought this book thinking I would read it later, so I did gradually. His writing is still engaging and easy to comprehend. He adds enough of his own personal spiritual journey to give it depth and organization, the saints and men and women he talked about were his favorites and were covered well enough in depth, he does give you resources at the end for if you are interested in a particular person. The cover average was of course covered in light of Martin's own spiritual experience. I have read his autobiography so those complaining about his terms of being a lacks Catholic are to well founded. I believe he wrote based on his true researcher done over many years and done from the heart.
January 28, 2018
Fr. James Martin S.J, writes a short chapter on each of 16 "saints" - some canonized, some blessed, some just admirable people one would want to imitate in some way. He has personalized the renderings of the saints’ lives with references to his own experiences - his spiritual and Jesuit formation, his own personal struggles with his faith and vocation, and his wanting to become a better person. Throughout the book, Fr Martin emphasized on how diverse all the saints were and he was always trying to make a point: that anyone can be a saint, each in their different way. We're not all called to be Mother Teresas, Dorothy Days or Thomas Mertons. God has created each of us to be ourselves.
“For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self.” ― Thomas Merton
“For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self.” ― Thomas Merton
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