Customer Reviews

Saint of the Day: Lives, Lessons & Feasts

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This review refers to the sixth edition, published in 2009

New material in the sixth edition of Saint of the Day includes 20 feasts added or restored to the church calendar; those recently canonized or beatified; saints and blesseds of special interest to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; and dedications of key churches. Each of the 200-plus entries consists of a short biography; comment linking the individual's life to our own; and relevant quotations from scripture and the saint or another spiritual writer. The book closes with an index of alphabetical titles of feasts and the dates they are celebrated.

In their introduction, the authors describe the process through which written lives of the saints developed. The earliest stories of saints were written to memorialize martyrs on their anniversaries and to edify or satisfy the curiosity of others. The "legends" born of this practice are included in the newly revised Saint of the Day alongside historical accounts that have developed with advances in science. The authors clearly mark legendary tales, which they see as "poetry of countless ordinary Christians whose imaginations knew no bounds when divine friendship with God's holy ones was involved."

The entry for St. Nicholas highlights the legend aspect. The authors point out that we can understand Nicholas's relationship with God through the admiration Christians have had for him expressed in the colorful stories told over the centuries. One example is Nichols's charity toward a poor family, the basis for giving gifts on his feast day. The comment on St. Nicholas suggests we look deeper into materialistic practices associated with Christmas and "seek ways to extend our sharing to those in real need."

By contrast, the entry for St. Patrick only mentions legends, then focuses on the "durability of his efforts" in proclaiming the Good News to the Irish. He is described as a "man of action, with little inclination toward learning... (with) a rocklike belief in his vocation." The quotation is taken from the famous breastplate of St. Patrick: "Christ with me, Christ before me..."

Excellent resource on the saints & various Catholic traditions - newcomers and/or theologians alike. I highly recommend this book for your bookshelf.