Saint Biography

While all of us are capable of holiness, canonization is the Church’s official recognition that a particular person displayed an extraordinary degree of holiness, or devotion to God, during his or her time on Earth. There is much to be learned from the words, acts, and lives of the saints of the Roman Catholic Church. They provide undeniable examples of the best that humankind is capable of - virtues like kindness, charity, love for each other, especially for the lowest and the least among us, courage in the face of adversity, humility, and selflessness.

In 1384, a poor and illiterate peasant woman named Ermine moved to the city of Reims with her elderly husband. Her era was troubled by war, plague, and schism within the Catholic Church, and Ermine could easily have slipped unobserved through the cracks of history. After the loss of her husband, however, things took a remarkable but frightening turn. For the last 10 months of her life, Ermine was tormented by nightly visions of angels and demons.

While St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved saints in history, the relevancy of St. Francis for our times in light of the election of Pope Francis has yet to be explored. This book is written with the intention of filling that gap. While it is biographical in nature, it also freely explores themes that relate to St. Francis but are not a part of his life.

Lorenzo, uno de los santos más venerados por la Iglesia Católica Romana, fue uno de los primeros archivistas y tesoreros de la Iglesia, y es considerado el patrón de los bibliotecarios. La leyenda dice que a este diacono, uno de los 7 elegidos de Roma, le fue confiada la tenencia del Santo Grial.

In Breaking van Gogh, James Grundvig investigates the history and authenticity of van Gogh's iconic Wheat Field with Cypresses. Relying on a vast array of techniques from the study of the painter's biography and personal correspondence to the examination of the painting's style and technical characteristics, Grundvig proves that the "most expensive purchase" housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is a fake.

Before he was the world's foremost Catholic biographer, Joseph Pearce was a leader of the National Front, a British nationalist, white supremacist group. Before he published books highlighting and celebrating the great Catholic cultural tradition, he disseminated literature extolling the virtues of the white race and calling for the banishment of all non-whites from Britain. In Race with the Devil: My Journey from Racial Hatred to Rational Love, Pearce himself takes the listener through his journey from racist revolutionary to Christian.

In an age that smirks at the mention of miracles, sin, angels, and demons, St. Pio of Pietrelchina has emerged as a figure of immense popularity, attracting fascination, veneration, and emulation. Padre Pio, who once wrote in a letter, "I am a mystery to myself," is certainly a mystery to all who know of him. To those who moved beyond mere credulity, he became an inspiration to embrace the fullness of faith.

Nacido en la ciudad italiana de Asís en el seno de una adinerada familia burguesa, Giovanni Bernardone abandonaría la comodidad y los privilegios económicos para vivir en la más profunda pobreza dedicado de lleno a su fe católica. Guiado por la voz divina y los estigmas sagrados de Dios, pasaría a convertirse en Francisco de Asís, fundador de una orden religiosa que predicaba una vida austera y simple al servicio del prójimo.

Entre tragédias pessoais e fatos inesperados, a vida de Irmã Dulce (1914-1992) sempre foi definida por reviravoltas: filha de uma família privilegiada, ela descobriu a fé e abandonou o conforto material, deixando as angústias do povo pobre penetrarem em seu coração.

The rousing story of Lafayette - “adopted son” of George Washington - and his vital role in the American Revolution. In this long-overdue history of Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette, acclaimed French author Gonzague Saint Bris recounts Lafayette’s invaluable contributions to the American War of Independence and, later, the French Revolution of 1789.

The Confessions of St. Augustine is one of the most moving diaries ever recorded of a man's journey to the fountain of God's grace. Writing as a sinner, not a saint, Augustine shares his innermost thoughts and conversion experiences, and wrestles with the spiritual questions that have stirred the hearts of the thoughtful since time began.

Learn about the life of Saint Martin De Porres.

Although he was born in what was considered the backwaters of the Roman Empire, Saint Augustine of Hippo has long been renowned for his early religious and philosophical thought. He has been called a doctor of the Church for his unrivaled ability of patching up even the most complex of theological questions. He tackled such things as the condition of the soul and the omnipotence of God. During the course of his tenure as bishop of the North-African city of Hippo, Augustine often gained as many critics as he did followers.

Just who was Saint Patrick? Many know him as the figure behind the huge festival of fun and drinking that takes place every year on March 17. But look a little more closely and see that there is more to the patron saint of Ireland than meets the eye.

Joan of Arc: The Story of the Defender and Patron Saint of France is more than just a history book—it's a journey of discovery. It is a bridge that connects us to the past, allowing us to walk through history, understanding the socio-political dynamics of Joan's time, and how they reverberate even today. It's a mirror that reflects our present, making us ponder upon the role of women, faith, and nationalism in society.

Alice von Hildebrand is a household name to millions who know her from her countless appearances on EWTN, her many important books, and her voluminous articles and essays. But little known is the story of her life, notably the 37 years she spent at Hunter College in New York City. There, despite unceasing opposition that might have defeated even the strongest of souls, she endured with grace and devotion, leaving a mark on a generation of students through her defense of truth through persuasion, wit, and love.

Johannes Joergensen, scrittore danese convertitosi al cattolicesimo, in seguito ad un suo lungo soggiorno ad Assisi scrisse nel 1907 questa sua biografia del Santo, attenta non solo alle fonti, ma penetrata di fede e di dolcezza nelle sue descrizioni della natura. Il successo di tale lavoro gli valse la nomina di cittadino onorario di Assisi.

Ante todo, debemos considerar que San Francisco, en cada uno de los hechos de su vida, se mostró conforme al modelo de Jesús. Tal como Cristo, al comienzo de su predicación, escogió doce apóstoles, los llamó a despreciar lo mundano y los instó a seguir un camino de renunciamiento y virtud.

Christmas is the most important holiday of the year. After the corresponding days that exalt the national pride of each country, such as Independence Day in the US, Victory Day in Russia, or Bastille Day in France, it's December 25 that articulates the life, the work, and the economy in much of the world, including many non-Christian countries. Since ancient times, the beginning of winter has been the occasion for most people to eat, drink, dance, and get together to beat the drum and take a break.

This Boy and His Mother: Healing from Trauma as a Gay Latter-day Saint chronicles Preston Jenkins' journey back to faith and activity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Speaking with authenticity, Preston offers gospel insights gleaned from his experiences involving same-sex attraction, sexual and emotional abuse, an early return from an LDS mission, mental illness, and the eventual completion of a mission. Hope, faith, and never-failing charity are strikingly displayed. So, too, is the sufficient grace of Jesus Christ to holistically heal all wounds.