My Badass Book of Saints: Courageous Women Who Showed Me How to Live

by Maria Morera Johnson

In this edgy, honest, and often audacious book of Catholic spirituality, Patheos blogger and popular podcaster Maria Morera Johnson explores the qualities of twenty-four holy women who lived lives of virtue in unexpected and often difficult circumstances.
In My Badass Book of Saints, Johnson shares her experience as a first-generation Cuban-American, educator of at-risk college students, and caregiver for a husband with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Through humorous, empowering, and touching portraits of twenty-four spiritual mentors who inspired her, Johnson shows how their bravery, integrity, selflessness, perseverance, and hope helped her and can help others have courage to reach for a closer connection to God.

She presents remarkable holy women and saints—including the gun-toting Servant of God Sr. Blandina Segal, who tried to turn the heart of Billy the Kid; and Nazi resister Irena Sendler, who helped smuggle children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II—in a way that brings their vivid personalities to life and helps readers live out the challenges of their lives with virtue and conviction.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Theology, Book Club

136 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2015

Reviews

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not Catholic but this book really resonated with me. I appreciate that the Catholic Church holds up strong women as examples of Christ-like love, strength, and passion. At a time when I’m fearful for making noise and standing up for the right thing, I felt God speaking through this book and inspiring me.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and liked the format with the author beginning with a story of her own life leading into snipets about the saints. My only complaint would be that I wish it was longer and more in depth! I will be researching more about the amazing women mentioned in this book.

[Bice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a woman of a certain age who likes to read about and learn about Saints.
Audio Book was in my Libby App “To Read” tag for a long time. Frankly the title made me cringe and I pre judged book negatively.
Glad I was so wrong in my judgment. It is a well written book.
Not a dry “ only the facts” book.
Liked that she interspersed her own life experiences throughout book.
It helped me discover new Friends in Heaven that I had not known about.
Review:
Title: 1 star
Book: 5 Stars

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but it was very light on actual information about these badass saints. I’m also not entirely sure what direction the author was trying to go with her book. Is it about how holy she is or the saints? The self-congratulatory tone was off putting and I ended up being unable to finish.

I LOVE the concept of a book on badass saints (especially those who struggled on their way to sainthood), but I can’t say this book accomplished much of anything.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson offers a really beautiful way to parallel saints to modern day holy activists; I only wish she offered more content about the saints. The small chapters are thoughtfully organized by theme, even offering contemplative questions at the end. For any Catholic who remembers The Picture Book of Saints, this feels like the female adult version of that beloved classic.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part brief look at mostly obscure saints, this was an enjoyable short book. This one is a good reminder that being holy and faithful looks different for all of us.

[Sarah Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read a book about early Christian’s and the life of the saints which is hard to find as a Protestant. This book I thought would share some of those stories but it was more biographical of how different saints have inspired the author. It was interesting but not what the title and description had made it to seem. It was really interesting to look more in the catholic point of view but I’m really interested in the lives of the saints and wish there was less biographical and more about the saints.

[Carol Kean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I love so much, I buy copies for my friends - this is rare, and truly a tribute to the author (and the subject). Not just canonized saints we might glimpse on holy cards or church pamplets (i.e. dry, dull), these are "real-life women who faced down outlaws in the Old West, genoice in Rwanda, convicts in a Tijuana prison, and oppressive regimes in Europe and Cuba."

Nuns toting guns - The Huffington Post shows them "lined up in their habits, wielding rifles like pros." It may sound comical, but read about Sr. Bladina Segale of the Sisters of Charity. "Fastest Nun in the West," she was born in Italy, and thought "Trinidad" (West Indies) was her destination. Oops, no, that's Trinidad, Colorado, "a violent town filled with hardship and lawlessness. The residents often took justice into their own hands, forming lynch mobs," but Sr. Blandina has another idea, and she actually did thwart a lynch mob. How many women can do that? She also met Billy the Kid and told him not to kill the town doctor - and he listened. Now that's power.

I'd say more, but this is a book that needs to be read, complete, and treasured, and shared with friends whether or not they're Catholic. Despite the history of the patriarchal Church leaving a bad impression on women and feminists, there is a quiet, little-known back story, peopled with sinners and heroes, strong, enduring, self-sacrificing and courageous. Day after day, they do the little things, the mundane tasks, like riding a mule into the deserts of Spain or the Old West, sleeping on straw, building hospitals, orphanages and convents. With what money? Like Mother Teresa (a woman of our own times), these ladies set out with no funds or facilities, but with entrepreneurial vision and powers of persuasion, they got things done. They got buildings built.

This is a must-read for so many, an inspiration. The only fictional counterpart I can think of is an anthology edited by Karina Fabian. (I reviewed it at Perhelion Science Fiction under the header "Nuns in Space").

I recieved an ARC from NetGalley. For several months it hadn't made it into my Kindle and I forgot about it, but this week, I found the link on my shelf (dashboard) and got it downloaded. This one is a keeper! Via my daughter's account, I ordered a copy for a friend, then decided not to use 2-day shipping via Prime after all. Back into my own account. Off to buy more copies now for more friends. I really love this book!

[Patricia Mckenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Saints are true models of how how to live faith filled lives. My Badass book of Saints brings their stories out of the clouds and shines a light on their true life stories. I have always liked reading about the saints but I loved the format of this book. First there is a personal story from the author, then a story from a contemporary cultural icon, then a tie in with a saint story and a rap up at the end to connect the three stories. This format makes the saints more approachable and relatable. Some of the saints included are: St. Joan of Arc, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Rose of Lima, just to name a few. Each chapter has a theme such as selflessness or perseverance and there are questions to ponder at the end of each chapter. This makes it perfect for discussion and group reading.
I like how Maria Johnson teaches us how this all applies to our daily life with her quote "All of us are called to do our best . These ....don’t inspire me to go out and look for opportunities to do good. Rather, they inspire me to keep a more watchful eye within my own circles of influence to see what needs to be done there, especially with my family, friends, and people with whom I interact." I know I can often be looking for a project in the community at large, instead of looking inside my life already for opportunities to do good.
I would recommend this book to you as a fun way to get to know some remarkable women to inspire you. I liked being challenged to think of women in our own lives that are courageous and compassionate as some of the themes and questions suggest. The title is great and I love the description of bodacious women we can not just imitate but find their qualities in ourselves already, waiting to be tapped into to bring more to our lives and those around us.

[Anna M (readwithanna) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be different from what it was. This was very light on information about saints and focused more on the author’s own life. I skimmed most of this book because I wanted to read the information about the women I thought this book was going to be focused on. I like the way it was set up - each chapter had two people that were linked through similar circumstances, one usually more “modern” and seen as a more “regular person” and the other, a canonized Saint. I liked the message behind this book and it reminds me of something a youth minister told me in high school - We are all saints, with a little ‘s,’ who can get guidance from the lives of the Saints with a big ‘s.’

I also liked the discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which were also compiled in the study guide at the back of the book. The study guide also included some extra questions and applications for your life. I think this would be a good book for 8th-10th graders as they would be preparing in most places to make their Confirmation.

For those interested, the chapters covered:
- Audacious Sisters - Sr Blandina Segale and St Teresa of Avila
- Courageous Sisters - Nancy Wake and St Joan of Arc
- Missionary Sisters - Edel Quinn and St Helena
- Outspoken Advocates - Mother Mary Lange and St Catherine of Siena
- Valiant Women - Phyllis Bowman and St Gianna Beretta Molla
- Selfless Saviors - Irena Sendler and St Christina the Astonishing
- Eloquent Images - Flannery O’Connor and St Margaret of Antioch
- Passionate Beauties - Audrey Hepburn and St Rose of Lima
- Compassionate Souls - Dorothea Lange and Bl Rosalie Rendu
- Resolute Seekers - Immaculée Ilibagiza and St Rose of Cascia
Authentic Icons - Mother Antonia Brenner and St Bibiana

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Badass Book of Saints is a terrific read.

Part memoir, part book club guide, part devotional, and part hagiography, it all adds up to stories of bold, wonderful woman that should inspire anyone.

Johnson introduces us to Saints and women who she feels should be Saints all while giving us an intimate picture of her own life and asking questions that lead the reader to think deeply about their own inspirations and how to incorporate the lessons of some of these women into our own lives.

Each chapter tells us a little of Johnson’s own journey, but also gives us biographies of two contrasting women. Imagine a comparison between Audrey Hepburn and St. Rose of Lima. Flannery O’Connor and St. Margaret of Antioch. Some of these pairings are astonishing – especially when you realize just what some of these very different women had in common!

As is the case with most books of Saints, many of the stories are more apocryphal than fact. However, that doesn’t lessen the impact they have – nor the astounding badassery of people you just would expect. I grew up with St. Theresa (the Little Flower) everywhere in my life. The is the first time I realized how very cool she really was.

Now, I can’t separate the memoir portion of the book (though I really read it for the hagiography). Johnson gives a story that’s full of hope in spite of moments of heartbreak. You learn about her husband’s illness, her father’s death, and her mother’s own badassery. While I’m not much on memoirs, it’s interesting, compelling, and told in a style you can’t help but like.

An excellent and inspirational read!

*Review Copy provide by Netgalley.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

First off, I am in love with the cover that is currently shown on Netgalley:



I hope this is the final, because it was what drew me to the book in the first place. Never underestimate the power of a good cover to sell books.

The real question: How did what was inside hold up to the cover?

Being that this was received via Netgalley, keep in mind that things might be changed ahead of the publication date.

It was pretty much what it says on the tin, but mixed in with the stories of the saints were tales from the author's own life or the lives of her family. Sometimes it felt a little unorganized, but maybe having structure within each section where it's older saint/newer saint/personal connections to both either before or after each...or after or before both. Something more than a paragraph break that is in the same order from section to section.

I found the stories of the saints lives interesting, especially those who are lesser known to this Protestant. ;) They were also good examples to look towards, because they mostly weren't the sort to shove their beliefs or religion in others faces and attempt to force them to conform. They simply lived their lives and did their best to right the wrongs that surrounded them and live the moral lessons laid out by their faith. I think there are people who could benefit from that sort of inspiration regardless of any sort of personal faith.

[Jaime K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The foreword says that women of holy influence come in many different ways, which help them come to their faiths in God.

At the end of each chapter is a trio of questions to ponder. Then, at the back of the book, is a set of questions designed for a six-week study. I really like that! While I see such things in similar books, I didn't expect it in this one. I guess it's because of the title ;)

Johnson pairs one female non-Saint with one female Saint (except for chapter 9, where a Blessed takes the place of a Saint). Not all the women are Catholic, but each shows tenacity, perseverance, and different forms of strength. I didn't realize until about 42% of the way in that this is what a true Catholic feminist book is. Johnson takes her life and relates it to each of the women.
And, as a teacher, I can relate to her desire to be the best and help everyone.

-Sister Blandina Segale, a gun-toting sister from the Old West, sounds fascinating. "I have a soft spot in my heart for nuns toting guns." - Page 1. She faced Billy the Kid thrice in her life!
- Nancy Wake sounds like she was a wonderful woman
- I didn't realize St. Catherine of Sienna's mother had 25 children. Holy cow!
- Phyllis Bowman, the founder of the United Kingdom's Right to Life, is someone I have NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE. She essentially sparked the worldwide pro-life movement, which is fantastic.
- Audrey Hepburn's history was definitely not something I knew. It's no wonder she faded away. What a wonderful woman.

The book concludes with a wonderful focus on Mary

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was interesting and inspiring. In each chapter, Maria Morera Johnson presents one woman who has not been declared a saint by the church, along with a woman who has been so declared. Women we would consider as ordinary - or famous in another way - are studied to show us how to live a saintly life. We often hear of St. Teresa of Avila or St. Joan of Arc, but what about the others, for example, Nancy Wake, a heroine of the French Resistance in WWII, or Edel Quinn who worked as a missionary in Africa? Johnson includes others as well, Flannery O'Connor, the author, and Audrey Hepburn, the actress, are included for their notable lives in helping others. Immaculee Ilbagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, and Dorothea Lange, the photographer, also worked for others. The pairings are interesting, for instance Ilbagiza with St. Rita of Cascia - both noted for their ability to forgive others and for their peacemaking. I really did not know anything about those mentioned in the book, so I enjoyed learning and hearing of their actions.

At the end of each chapter, there are points to ponder, and at the end a program for a six-week discussion group.

[Argum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Morera Johnson sets out to show us saints in a new way. I was surprised by her age given the name of the book, but that was great. Each chapter shows a canonized saint, an every day person and a bit of her own fascinating life. There are also questions for reflection with each chapter. I met some new saints and some new people, but also met some old ones in new ways. I read this book on All Saints Day and the homily that morning was how we are all called to be saints, yes most of us won't be canonized by the Church, but getting to heaven is the goal. This book dovetailed nicely in seeing how we can do our bit and not to be discouraged and give up because we won't be St Helena discovering the True Cross and maybe instead we are the nun who told cowboys to get the sheriff not the lynch mob or maybe the teacher who actually listens and impacts someone life. All the small things we can each do do matter and are what add up to the world and to our own best selves. Great book, fun read, real sense of personality.

[Janka H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. Bold, beautiful, authentic and richly inspiring, this work combines the lives of Catholic saints from the past and more modern women whom are practicing the values and virtues in following God and working for better good of people (some of the modern women are not Catholic/believers, but are very inspiring human beings). And what makes the it even more interesting are very personal and thus very relatable musings of the authoress on every subject (virtues) her work covers. The authoress is obviously warm, approachable, humble and a great fun (the bit of tongue-in-cheek of sorts I assume - a person after my own heart!).

I have learned a lot about some great (and cool) women (yay for the Flannery O’Connor, a personal fave writer!) and enjoyed the rawness of the authoress's personal sharing. And I feel a whole lot closer to the heart of the matter on my faith journey, where so often I feel the need for wise mentoresses - and these women might be such guides on my broken road to God.
One of the best devotionals on the Catholic literary market!

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My badass Book of Saints is a must read for any Catholic woman, young or old, that is looking for some great religious role models and saints to model their lives after. Split out over multiple chapters, Morera Johnson pairs notes on her own life and experience with both Saints and ordinary women that embody a specific trait or action. Something that all 24 of these women have in common is the courage and heart that they use to lead their lives.

The blessed and canonized women that Morera Johnson are from all facts of life and now some women that i really want to learn so much more about. I want to know how i can emulate their traits in to my own life. This book also makes me want to learn all about the saints i already have a special fondness for.

This book is something that is a must own and must read for the modern Christian woman.

[Maura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not even finish this one!

I thought this was going to be an exciting, in-depth look at the lives of female saints that would be empowering and inspirational. It's mostly a (pretty boringly presented) collection of anecdotes from the author's own life with very little information about these badass women she is supposed to be educating us about. I good about 70% through and had to give up. The writing style and reading level would be better suited for a middle school audience--except that there's a curse word in the title. I tried to push through this one but I wish I'd given up sooner so I could have moved on to something better!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow! I loved this book! Maria took one of my favorite topics, the lives of the Saints and holy people, and gave me a fresh spin and perspective of each woman. I loved how she wove in her own stories within the chapters.

I ordered this book, back in October, but through a mixup, it didn't arrive until December. It arrived on the day we buried my 89 year old aunt, who was my own example of a badass woman! I know she was smiling down from heaven when she saw the irony of my receiving this book on this date.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed full of stories of saints and saints-to-be whose courage belies the typical holy-card image, this book inspires women who don't shy away from a challenge. Maria Johnson has collected a wonderful assortment of examples of contemporary women and saints from a wide variety of time periods and organized them according to qualities they had in common, such as challenging the status quo, showing perseverance, or living and dying to uphold human dignity. Highly recommended--this would be a great Confirmation gift!

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to and reminder of some amazing women in history that are also Saints or should be. I learned something about my confirmation saint, Rita of Cascia that I won't go into now but is quite prophetic in retrospect. Each chapter also includes a set of questions that I will go back to this week and in the future. It is not a long book nor is it an in-depth account of each saint but I gave it five stars because it is making me think and that is my favorite pass time, thinking. NEXT!

[Holly Blades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next time someone tells me that the Catholic Church is anti women, I'm just going to throw this book at them. This book has inspired me to live a more virtuous life like the women described here. Her writing is personal and captivating. I had no idea some of these saints existed. I would love to see another book like this!

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and found myself looking up more information on these saints and would-be saints . I didn't want the book to end. I like the format and the questions. I just wish I had known there were more questions at the end of the book as I went along.
I purposely read it slow to savor and research more . I learned so much in reading this tiny but powerful book.

[Mary Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I would have chosen different saints. That said, OF COURSE I would have. That's the point, in part, of this personal collection, that the ones who inspire are speaking to us in our particular situations.
I like the interweaving of our personal lives, women who inspire us and certified saints. Thank you to the author for making the pathways visible.

[Rosemary Buerger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about Saints I’d never really heard of and how their bravery made a difference in others lives. I also learned quite a bit about saints I did know about. I really enjoyed the author’s story and her style of writing. It’s a quick book with a great study guide at the end of each chapter and the back of the book has a 6 week guide.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stirring book about women and sacrifice and courage. Maria's writing is simple to read, challenging to the heart. Contemporary and saints, she weaves her own story and testimony of women we may not have heard of.
I'm not Catholic and I loved this book. Love the cover!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! Great book! I read it in less than two days. Engaging and witty. Love the pairings of saints familiar and unfamiliar with easily recognizable women. Good place to begin if you're wanting a fun introduction to many inspiring saints and women.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! This is a book that you can read over and over and learn something new from every time.

[Darcey Leis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. Always good to learn new and interesting things.

[Stephen Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way more insightful than I had hoped! I can easily recommend this book for daily Mass goers and for those just dipping their toes in the water of the faith.