Saints for Sinners

by Alban Goodier

Christ came not to call saints but to make them often out of weak, stupid, and sinful men. That's why the saints are not only models of holiness for us to imitate; they're reminders that God's grace can outshine every human flaw. As Alban Goodier's classic Saints for Sinners shows us, even the greatest saints had to battle the same stubborn vices, temptations of the flesh, and bouts of spiritual dryness that afflict you and me today. In these pages, with a style that perfectly blends hagiographical detail, spiritual meditation, and a skilled storyteller's touch, Archbishop Goodier brings us the tales

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Nonfiction, History, Biography

178 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1970

About the author

Archbishop Alban Goodier was ordained a priest of the Society of Jesus on September 20, 1903. In December 15, 1919 he was appointed Archbishop of Bombay, India, and ordained on December 22. He served as Archbishop until October 1, 1926.

He was also a well-respected writer who contributed many articles to the magazine The Messenger of the Sacred Heart and wrote over a dozen books.

Reviews

[booklady]

A charming multi-biography of nine saints who struggled against incredible odds: Sts. Augustine of Hippo; Margaret of Corton: the Second Magdalen; John of God; Francis Xavier; John of the Cross; Camillus of de Lellis: the Ex-Trooper; Joseph of Cupertino: the Dunce; Claude La Columbière; and Benedict Joseph Labre: the Beggar Saint. Most were notable for their very ordinariness and lack of notable and distinguishable talents, Saint Augustine being the exception to that rule. Some in the group started out as serious sinners, but they all struggled on to serve God through all kinds of adversities, temptations, setbacks, individual personal weaknesses and spiritual dryness. Not one had an easy life; each was unique in the road they followed. The only similarity was in their ultimate goal: God Himself, for Himself alone.

Mother Teresa reminds us that we all called to the same goal: to be saints, i.e., friends of God. How we get there is between God and each individual soul.

An excellent quick read—thoroughly enjoyable and very motivational. Most highly recommended!

Updated May 18, 2022 for grammatical errors

[Joyce]

A very inspiring collection of stories. Truly, God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. This book gives hope for sinners and mothers.

[Malu Ivars]

Haciendo un repaso por ciertas vidas muestra y recuerda que lo que se refiere a la debilidad incomprensión dificultad humanas pueden ser siempre algo positivo , punto de partida para comenzar y recomenzar con el convencimiento de “ llegar a buen puerto “

[Gregory]

Excellent easy read with lots of great examples for all of us!

[Tara Meyer]

These are really for all.

These saints are really for all. I have read the book twice. I will read it often. It has so much for me to learn from. I recommend this book of saints for all who love and learn from the lives of our saints.

[Leah Levitt]

I loved these Saints. St. Augustine and John of the Cross were known to me. The others were a joy to get to know. This book will encourage you in your Spiritual life.

[Eric]

Very inspiring, some stories better than others. St. Francis Xavier, pray for us!

[Pamela Marvin]

Somebody these stories are soul crushing in the best way! It will imbue you with hope for humanity.

[Lauren]

Enjoyed the lessons and the stories in this book. Found his style a bit of a challenge to read more than a few pages at a time. Everyone should read these stories, so worth it!

[Diana Fearn]

Wonderful stories

This book have insight to some of the lesser known saints, and did a excellent job. I was sad when the book ended because I wanted to read more.

[J.]

This was an interesting book on the Lives of Lesser Known Saints. Most of us know the great names in The Churches Communion of Saints, but these names [save St. Augustine] are not as widely known either outside the Church or even by some in the Church itself. I believe that of those listed here in this book, there will be one in some way any author can identify or empathize with, I believe I have 2 that I can speak of. Probably one lesson [from all the rest] that could be taken from this book is this, that God Truly does work through all peoples lives and decisions and it seems that once we Pro-Actively cooperate with The Will of God we are well on our way to Sanctification ourselves, even when we do not think we are.

[Benjamín]

Un libro muy bueno de Mons. Alban Goodier, accesible a todos, para conocer el lado humano de los santos. La traducción de la RIALP buena, aunque con la de San Francisco Xavier se hace unos líos traduciendo “Society” como sociedad, cuando en realidad se refiere a la Compañía de Jesús, haciendo difícil su comprensión. Muy recomendable lectura.

[Ana Salazar]

"Santos para pecadores" uno de esos libros donde se ve la humildad de Dios a través de las personas. Ejemplos de humildad, de superación, de amor por Dios y de fe. Muy recomendable para cuando sientes que todo está perdido. Una lucha constante para ganar el cielo.

[Jenn]

Some of the stories of the saints were written very well and were quite engaging. Others were written in a more circuitous fashion and were much harder to follow and to stay focused on.

[Alan]

Good mini-bios of churchmen whose paths to sanctity were unconventional. More thoughts here: http://eyesandearsblog.blogspot.com/2...

[Nisi]

I loved how this book focused on the apparent unlikeliness of these men and women to turn into the great saints they became. I will be rereading this book in the future.

[Sam Doucette]

Hope for Everyone

No matter your past or your current circumstances, there is always hope. This book proves that God's grace is stronger than our sins or lowly circumstances.