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Sister Wendy's Book of Saints
With her trademark blend of humor, learning, and spiritual insight, the internationally popular art historian seen on public television traces the lives of more than thirty-five beloved saints, illustrated by rarely seen icons and manuscripts from the Vatican. 25,000 first printing.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Wendy Beckett
110 books130 followersSister Wendy Beckett was a South African-born British art expert, Roman Catholic nun, and contemplative hermit who became an unlikely celebrity during the 1990s, presenting a series of acclaimed art history documentaries for the BBC.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 20, 2011
I am a fan of Sister Wendy's work, but this book dissapointed me. I was expecting a more detailed description of paintings which feature saints. I also wanted to learn more details about their lives, but Sister Wendy gives only sketchy references.
coffee-table
August 30, 2008I have Sister Wendy's Book of Painting and it is awesome! I know I'd love this! Thanks Krista!
January 9, 2026
This review is based on reading the introduction and the information on St. Paul the Hermit, St. Thomas, St. Jerome, St. Scholastica, and St. Margaret of Antioch.
First of all, what is lovely about this book is that it is full of the enthusiasm and spiritual and human insights of Sister Wendy. She was unique as a religious and truly was a gift to those of faith and those who want to have some insights into art.
Reading the introduction was a delight! I'm sure that I didn't take the time to read the introduction when I first bought this book, and I'm glad that knowing I would write this review motivated me to do so. I would have added numerous quotes from the introduction to the Goodreads quote bank, but I was only allowed to add one for some reason. Here is one I couldn't add:
"Sanctity means recognizing the whole of us, the generic flaws that God's grace must purify and the genetic virtues that grace must also infuse, in case we rely on their natural power. There is no part of us that we must sweep under a mental carpet, determined to show God only the nice parts. He knows, far better than we ever shall, what we are really like, and how much of it is our 'fault.' Jesus did not choose his family tree any more than we do. We and he were born with it, and this unique 'us,' with such-and-such ancestor, is the person God knows and loves."
For a few days, as I recover from a hurt foot and a cold, I have been looking up the same 20 saints or so in the many saint books that I own. I only found five of those saints in this book but for each there was fresh insight. For example, for St. Jerome who is in almost every saint book, the image from an illustrated manuscript, the source for all the paintings in this book, is of St. Jerome peacefully kneeling in prayer surrounded by phantasmal creatures with a lion crouched at his feet. Jerome is known for many things, including his fiery temper. Her conclusion to the very short description of this small painting reflects on Jerome's relationship with the lion at his feet and this shortcoming of Jerome's: "Perhaps they found they had much in common? St. Jerome tamed the lion, and the love of God tamed St. Jerome."
One of the very nice finds for me in this book was a double-paged entry on St. Margaret of Antioch who doesn't get included in many books because her history is primarily based on legend. Luckily, she was a popular medieval saint and was included in many illuminated manuscripts. Sr. Wendy, though immediately indicating that her story may only be a legend, explains that all the same it is "rich in meaning, especially for women." They saw her as the patron saint for women in childbirth because she caused a dragon who had swallowed her to disgorge her without harm by piercing him from the inside with a cross that she held. This, and her happy acceptance of her punishment by death for rejecting the marriage demands of a Roman governor because she was a committed Christian, were inspirations to women in the travails of giving birth. My addition is that, perhaps she is a very real saint who helped women in labor, giving other reasons for their devotion to her. Most importantly, I love that there is no judgment from Sr. Wendy for the people of that time who were devoted to St. Margaret of Antioch.
In addition to the lovely introduction, a helpful table of contents, and passages on 35 saints with a medieval illustration of each, the book includes a nice Calendar of Feast Days, picture credits and sources at the end, and a very handy index. It was in the index that I found the listings for St. Paul the Hermit and St. Scholastica. They are not listed in the Table of Contents as they are not the primary person of any of the illustrations included, but as they are part of some images, Sr. Wendy gives generous commentary on their lives and role. St. Paul the Hermit is included with St. Anthony Abbot, and Sr. Wendy's comments on the blessings of friendship both in the introduction and on St. Anthony's page are inspired by their relationship.
The one drawback of the book is that some of the images are quite small. My old eyes would have enjoyed a bit bigger version of the images of some of the saints. I highly recommend this book, and I'm glad that I have it.
First of all, what is lovely about this book is that it is full of the enthusiasm and spiritual and human insights of Sister Wendy. She was unique as a religious and truly was a gift to those of faith and those who want to have some insights into art.
Reading the introduction was a delight! I'm sure that I didn't take the time to read the introduction when I first bought this book, and I'm glad that knowing I would write this review motivated me to do so. I would have added numerous quotes from the introduction to the Goodreads quote bank, but I was only allowed to add one for some reason. Here is one I couldn't add:
"Sanctity means recognizing the whole of us, the generic flaws that God's grace must purify and the genetic virtues that grace must also infuse, in case we rely on their natural power. There is no part of us that we must sweep under a mental carpet, determined to show God only the nice parts. He knows, far better than we ever shall, what we are really like, and how much of it is our 'fault.' Jesus did not choose his family tree any more than we do. We and he were born with it, and this unique 'us,' with such-and-such ancestor, is the person God knows and loves."
For a few days, as I recover from a hurt foot and a cold, I have been looking up the same 20 saints or so in the many saint books that I own. I only found five of those saints in this book but for each there was fresh insight. For example, for St. Jerome who is in almost every saint book, the image from an illustrated manuscript, the source for all the paintings in this book, is of St. Jerome peacefully kneeling in prayer surrounded by phantasmal creatures with a lion crouched at his feet. Jerome is known for many things, including his fiery temper. Her conclusion to the very short description of this small painting reflects on Jerome's relationship with the lion at his feet and this shortcoming of Jerome's: "Perhaps they found they had much in common? St. Jerome tamed the lion, and the love of God tamed St. Jerome."
One of the very nice finds for me in this book was a double-paged entry on St. Margaret of Antioch who doesn't get included in many books because her history is primarily based on legend. Luckily, she was a popular medieval saint and was included in many illuminated manuscripts. Sr. Wendy, though immediately indicating that her story may only be a legend, explains that all the same it is "rich in meaning, especially for women." They saw her as the patron saint for women in childbirth because she caused a dragon who had swallowed her to disgorge her without harm by piercing him from the inside with a cross that she held. This, and her happy acceptance of her punishment by death for rejecting the marriage demands of a Roman governor because she was a committed Christian, were inspirations to women in the travails of giving birth. My addition is that, perhaps she is a very real saint who helped women in labor, giving other reasons for their devotion to her. Most importantly, I love that there is no judgment from Sr. Wendy for the people of that time who were devoted to St. Margaret of Antioch.
In addition to the lovely introduction, a helpful table of contents, and passages on 35 saints with a medieval illustration of each, the book includes a nice Calendar of Feast Days, picture credits and sources at the end, and a very handy index. It was in the index that I found the listings for St. Paul the Hermit and St. Scholastica. They are not listed in the Table of Contents as they are not the primary person of any of the illustrations included, but as they are part of some images, Sr. Wendy gives generous commentary on their lives and role. St. Paul the Hermit is included with St. Anthony Abbot, and Sr. Wendy's comments on the blessings of friendship both in the introduction and on St. Anthony's page are inspired by their relationship.
The one drawback of the book is that some of the images are quite small. My old eyes would have enjoyed a bit bigger version of the images of some of the saints. I highly recommend this book, and I'm glad that I have it.
February 5, 2021
Sister Wendy's Book of Saints began with art, namely a display of manuscripts in 1997-1998 to celebrate the millennium. This limits the range of saints included (Patrick, for example, is not present) and all of the artwork is from medieval manuscripts, which does give a certain coherence to the book. Most saints' stories get a page or so, accompanied by the artwork. Some have a full-page image, others have an illuminated letter or two. Dates, the feast day, patronages, and attributes are listed for each saint. A calendar of feast days is included at the end. I'd recommend this mostly to those looking for books on medieval Christianity, rather than as a general book about saints.
July 11, 2021
I checked this book out from the library sight unseen (thanks a heap, covid) hoping for profiles of saints and information on their patronage. It turned out to have less detail on their patronage than I was seeking but beautiful illustrations from illuminated manuscripts, discussing the tradition of how they have been represented in art.
Read
January 7, 2024I really enjoyed Wendy's commentary and, for the most part, her selection of paintings. There were some that I think she could have chosen differently such as those for St. Nicholas towards the end. I was a bit confused why she thought St.Catherine of Siena probably wouldn't have been born in an overpopulated world such as ours. I'm not sure what that means.
March 26, 2024
3.5 This is a rundown of major saints you will find in artworks, that's always helpful. I was hoping for more examples or lists of major works with saints, but there is only one or two reproductions per saint and they are usually from an illuminated manuscript. So I was disappointed, but what is here is fine. (notwithstanding the fact that a lot of saint stuff is pretty weird)
August 17, 2009
p.22 St. John the Apostle, Patron Saint of writers. The story goes that the old saint would be asked every Sunday to give the homily at Mass, but all he would ever say was, "Little children, love one another." When it was suggested he might vary his message, St. John seemed surprised, explaining gently that mutual love was the Lord's command, and that if we keep it, is all we need.
p.58 St. Augustine "You have us for Yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You."
p.68 St. Anthony Abbot Patron Saint of basket-makers. One of the reasons why the saint had such frightening temptations was that he was determined to take seriously teh biblical exhortation to "pray without ceasing," thinking it meant to do nothing else. But in a dream an angel advised him to work as well, that this was another form of prayer. When St. Anthony pointed out that there was no work in the Egyptian desert, the angel tartly told him to climb a palm tree, collect the leaves, and weave them into mats. This sensible advice gave his life the balance it had needed. There is no point in giving God what he is not asking, and the human mind needs to "pray always," but in different ways.
p. 70 St. Martin of Tours: Apostle of the Gauls
St. Martin has the distinction of being the first Christian pacifist or, at least, the first we know about. He came from a military family and obediently followed his father into the emperor's legions, patrolling the frontiers. But when war broke out, St. Martin saw, young as he was, that it was a war of aggression, an unjust war, and he resigned his commission. He volunteered to walk in the vanguard carrying a cross, to be killed if need be, but he himself would not kill. The world was baffled by his behavior and still is: this episode is rarely portrayed. But we can all understand the story here. St. Martin meets a naked beggar. He gives him all he can, which is half his uniform cloak. That night, Christ appeared to him, wearing the half-cloak. That night, Christ appeared to him, wearing the half-cloak, saying, "My friend Martin gave me this." St. Martin was still a pagan at the time, but this incident led to his conversion and his dramatic refusal of worldly values. We are shown here, not the actual cutting of the cloak, but Martin's moment of decision. It seemed a smallish thing, to be improperly dressed as an officer for the sake of charity, but it changed his life.
p.79 St. Christopher [About the story of carrying the child Christ on his back:] It is a legend and not a history, this story, but it expresses the truth of the saint's name, Christopher, Christ-bearer, to which we are all called and which may sometimes weigh us down with the sorrows of the whole world. Christianity is not an easy option, not an escape. It tackles reality in all is forms, but it does so by the grace of God.
p.58 St. Augustine "You have us for Yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You."
p.68 St. Anthony Abbot Patron Saint of basket-makers. One of the reasons why the saint had such frightening temptations was that he was determined to take seriously teh biblical exhortation to "pray without ceasing," thinking it meant to do nothing else. But in a dream an angel advised him to work as well, that this was another form of prayer. When St. Anthony pointed out that there was no work in the Egyptian desert, the angel tartly told him to climb a palm tree, collect the leaves, and weave them into mats. This sensible advice gave his life the balance it had needed. There is no point in giving God what he is not asking, and the human mind needs to "pray always," but in different ways.
p. 70 St. Martin of Tours: Apostle of the Gauls
St. Martin has the distinction of being the first Christian pacifist or, at least, the first we know about. He came from a military family and obediently followed his father into the emperor's legions, patrolling the frontiers. But when war broke out, St. Martin saw, young as he was, that it was a war of aggression, an unjust war, and he resigned his commission. He volunteered to walk in the vanguard carrying a cross, to be killed if need be, but he himself would not kill. The world was baffled by his behavior and still is: this episode is rarely portrayed. But we can all understand the story here. St. Martin meets a naked beggar. He gives him all he can, which is half his uniform cloak. That night, Christ appeared to him, wearing the half-cloak. That night, Christ appeared to him, wearing the half-cloak, saying, "My friend Martin gave me this." St. Martin was still a pagan at the time, but this incident led to his conversion and his dramatic refusal of worldly values. We are shown here, not the actual cutting of the cloak, but Martin's moment of decision. It seemed a smallish thing, to be improperly dressed as an officer for the sake of charity, but it changed his life.
p.79 St. Christopher [About the story of carrying the child Christ on his back:] It is a legend and not a history, this story, but it expresses the truth of the saint's name, Christopher, Christ-bearer, to which we are all called and which may sometimes weigh us down with the sorrows of the whole world. Christianity is not an easy option, not an escape. It tackles reality in all is forms, but it does so by the grace of God.
August 8, 2024
Read - informative only
March 18, 2016
Me: Can't have too much on saints, by Sister Wendy, or teaching one about good art.
Amazon Book Description:
Widely known since 1991 for her BBC/PBS specials on great world art, 67-year-old Sr. Wendy, an Oxford-educated sister of Notre Dame, lives a solitary, contemplative life in a trailer on the grounds of a Carmelite monastery in East Anglia and has published more than 15 books.
"Delightful" describes both the author and her newest book, which offers her unique way of "seeing" saints. Rarely viewed miniatures and illuminations, drawn from Italian library manuscripts that will be on view in 1998-99, depict 35 selected saints, from St. Peter to St. Catherine of Sienna. Most have two pages each, with one or more well-done reproductions in color and Sr. Wendy's commentary on each, which flows from her own joyful vision of truth. The reader feels guided by a wise friend reintroducing other old friends and their legends. Her unique contemporary spin, often expressed in the present tense, includes deceptively simple minilessons.
A born storyteller, Sr. Wendy intelligently introduces such issues as separation of church and state and the status of women. She speaks to everyone, removing art from the province of the eclectic and offering an enriching experience. Recommended for circulating collections in most libraries.
AAnna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY
Amazon Book Description:
Widely known since 1991 for her BBC/PBS specials on great world art, 67-year-old Sr. Wendy, an Oxford-educated sister of Notre Dame, lives a solitary, contemplative life in a trailer on the grounds of a Carmelite monastery in East Anglia and has published more than 15 books.
"Delightful" describes both the author and her newest book, which offers her unique way of "seeing" saints. Rarely viewed miniatures and illuminations, drawn from Italian library manuscripts that will be on view in 1998-99, depict 35 selected saints, from St. Peter to St. Catherine of Sienna. Most have two pages each, with one or more well-done reproductions in color and Sr. Wendy's commentary on each, which flows from her own joyful vision of truth. The reader feels guided by a wise friend reintroducing other old friends and their legends. Her unique contemporary spin, often expressed in the present tense, includes deceptively simple minilessons.
A born storyteller, Sr. Wendy intelligently introduces such issues as separation of church and state and the status of women. She speaks to everyone, removing art from the province of the eclectic and offering an enriching experience. Recommended for circulating collections in most libraries.
AAnna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY
December 31, 2010
Oh Sister Wendy, you're terrific. I caught the tail end of one of her Art specials on PBS maybe 10 years ago and found myself wishing I had run across it at the start. She's good at pointing out details/symbolism and telling you backstory without making you feel stupid. I like that. She seems like a great person that I'd love to have dinner with, or, better yet, walk around a museum with.. In other words, if one of her specials is on, I think you should watch it.
As for the book - I bought this for a dollar at a booksale, and it's obviously worth that. The writings good, but I do wish it had been longer. While I wouldn't say actively seek it out, if you come across it and like Sister Wendy or saints, give it a go.
August 6, 2009
A quick read, but a very interesting one. I've watched Sister Wendy's show on BBC before, and it's amazing how much she's able to retain about art history. Far from being just about art, it mainly talks about a handful of saints and their depictions in medieval artwork. Full of symbolism that most people would probably overlook or miss entirely, Sister Wendy definitely knows her stuff. It makes for a great coffee table book.
March 16, 2013
Sister Wendy your book claims to include some of the most beloved saints but there was no St. Jude. or St Joan de Arc or the simple dog saint loved by a french town St Guinefort. But I suppose there may not be any illuminated manuscripts on these little saints. Still your insight to the saints and their art work is perceptive and refreshing.
October 6, 2010
Gorgeous illuminated pages with a quick reference guide to painting symbolism (in regard to specific saints) in many churches and cathedrals and famous works. Along with the artistic and symbolic analysis she provides refreshing spiritual insights! Short book, very much enjoyed.
March 11, 2011
loved reading about St Anne- Mother of Mary, you are not a saint because you keep rules and are blameless. You are a saint if you live in the real world, going out and loving the real people whom God has put into your life. This is our own family and friends.
Reading this sort of thing for Lent!
Reading this sort of thing for Lent!
May 26, 2018
I really like Sister Wendy's TV programs but this book was a little to dry for me to really enjoy it. However its not like other saint books were its just a biography of the saint. This book mainly focusing on the painting of the saint itself not so much on the life of the saint.
September 28, 2008
Beautiful art with an easy-to-read text. I hadn't ever realized that the illustrated manuscripts from the medieval period were so detailed.
December 18, 2009
Sister Wendy is an offbeat nun with an eye for art. She applies her fun personality as she teaches the reader about the saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Very nice illustrations.
April 8, 2015
This book has a handful of Saints and a little bit about them. It was interesting.
January 14, 2016
A very easy to read coffee style book about Catholic saints. Excellent stuff!
April 15, 2016
This was more a snapshot than an exhaustive list of Saints but it was very educational and well put together nonetheless.
May 24, 2018
Gorgeous artwork, but the commentary was too brief and sometimes the interpretations seemed like a stretch.
September 2, 2014
Good, but very brief, overview of the saints and very, very scarce information about the art.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews