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Lives of the Saints, Volume I
The world needs saints to show it the way to true humanity. The Church needs saints to show it how to live out its calling.
The witness of the lives of the saints is a powerful testimony to the reality of God’s plan and the possibility for truly following it in one’s life. So often, we do not see this witness. We see hypocrisy and mediocrity among Christians. That is why we must look to the saints — the ones who really followed the words of Christ and let them be carried out fully in their lives. The saints also give us a reason to hope. Saints were not born; they were made through a life of cooperation with God’s grace despite many difficulties, weaknesses, and temptations.
This book, written from a Catholic perspective, provides an overview to the lives of the saints celebrated from January to March on the Roman calendar. It is the first in a series, which will cover the whole Church year. It makes for inspirational spiritual reading any time of the year, providing an introduction to the patron saints for many walks of life. Included are the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, Apostles like St. Peter and St. Paul, early martyrs like St. Perpetua and St. Felicity, early evangelizers like St. Patrick, medieval giants such as St. Thomas Aquinas, American saints such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Neumann, and many others.
The witness of the lives of the saints is a powerful testimony to the reality of God’s plan and the possibility for truly following it in one’s life. So often, we do not see this witness. We see hypocrisy and mediocrity among Christians. That is why we must look to the saints — the ones who really followed the words of Christ and let them be carried out fully in their lives. The saints also give us a reason to hope. Saints were not born; they were made through a life of cooperation with God’s grace despite many difficulties, weaknesses, and temptations.
This book, written from a Catholic perspective, provides an overview to the lives of the saints celebrated from January to March on the Roman calendar. It is the first in a series, which will cover the whole Church year. It makes for inspirational spiritual reading any time of the year, providing an introduction to the patron saints for many walks of life. Included are the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, Apostles like St. Peter and St. Paul, early martyrs like St. Perpetua and St. Felicity, early evangelizers like St. Patrick, medieval giants such as St. Thomas Aquinas, American saints such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Neumann, and many others.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2017
430 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Michael J. Ruszala
15 books13 followersMichael J. Ruszala holds an M.A. in Theology & Christian Ministry and a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology summa cum laude from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Michael is the author of several religious books and is an adjunct lecturer in religious studies at Niagara University in Lewiston, NY, where he has taught on Christian Ministry and Popes in the Modern World. Certified as a parish catechetical leader by the Diocese of Buffalo, he served for over five years as Director of Lifelong Faith Formation at a parish within the diocese. He is an active member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists, has served in the past on catechetical committees for the Diocese of Buffalo, and is the recipient of the 2016 Christian Service Award from the Canisius College Sodality of Our Lady in Buffalo. Michael has been published in religious journals including the Social Justice Review, the Catholic Social Science Review, Lay Witness online edition, and the Great Adventure Bible Blog by Ascension Press. In addition to his work, Michael has interests in music, art, tennis, and kayaking. Please visit www.michaeljruszala.com for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 27, 2017
Very informative and entertaining reading
The author has done an excellent job of describing the lives of these Saints. He has their ability to cope with life's hard ships while remaining true to God and scripture teachings. Inspirational reading
The author has done an excellent job of describing the lives of these Saints. He has their ability to cope with life's hard ships while remaining true to God and scripture teachings. Inspirational reading
October 4, 2017
January to March
I am not a Roman Catholic but believe as a Pentecostal believer I do be very much want to honour the hero's of our faith including those referred to as Saints and by some as GOD's Generals. This book and indeed the series lists these Saints in the chronically order the Church's remembers their lives. It is not a in-depth study but a short overview of the lives and celebrated acts. I do recommend this book and honour those that give GOD's servants a place and space to be recognised.
I am not a Roman Catholic but believe as a Pentecostal believer I do be very much want to honour the hero's of our faith including those referred to as Saints and by some as GOD's Generals. This book and indeed the series lists these Saints in the chronically order the Church's remembers their lives. It is not a in-depth study but a short overview of the lives and celebrated acts. I do recommend this book and honour those that give GOD's servants a place and space to be recognised.
October 13, 2021
This Volume I is a short history of the lives of 27 of our beloved Saints, whose Memorial days are during the first three months of the year. The author brings us close to some of the most important people in the history of our Church. Each and every one has a specific reason or reasons to be held in such hight regard by all of us. Their love of the Holy Trinity, the Church, our Virgin Mother and Saint Joseph are clear, as are the reasons each are Saints. Well done; I'm going after the second volume now.
March 19, 2020
Great Read
It is nice to be able to follow the lives of the saints in some kind of order. It gave me a better perspective of time and order of their lives. I am eager to read the next book of the lives of the saints.
It is nice to be able to follow the lives of the saints in some kind of order. It gave me a better perspective of time and order of their lives. I am eager to read the next book of the lives of the saints.
July 10, 2024
Great introduction into the Saints
This was a good source of basic facts for each saint. It led me to purchase books on the saints I was interested in and reminded me of what I had read.
This was a good source of basic facts for each saint. It led me to purchase books on the saints I was interested in and reminded me of what I had read.
February 7, 2018
Great Book on the Saints
Gives a good description of all the major saint and he lives they led. Good foundation for any Christian's faith journey.
Gives a good description of all the major saint and he lives they led. Good foundation for any Christian's faith journey.
August 30, 2018
Lives of the Saints:Volume 1
This book is, very well written. I have taken many courses of Saints and this book gives a clear and precise look at each Saint.
This book is, very well written. I have taken many courses of Saints and this book gives a clear and precise look at each Saint.
September 6, 2018
Good read for
Good for someone who wants to learn about Catholic. I did learn about some of their saints and why they are .
Good for someone who wants to learn about Catholic. I did learn about some of their saints and why they are .
November 5, 2019
Faithful
This book will give you strength in your faith. To hear stories of the lives of the saints will being you closer to God.
This book will give you strength in your faith. To hear stories of the lives of the saints will being you closer to God.
December 1, 2019
Enlightening
What a enlightened book. It truly touched me and I can't wait to read the next book. This book made me think of how much better I can live my life and serve Jesus.
What a enlightened book. It truly touched me and I can't wait to read the next book. This book made me think of how much better I can live my life and serve Jesus.
May 22, 2023
Brief and to the point
There were many things I did not know about the saints and after reading this book it shed a light on what these saints went through.
There were many things I did not know about the saints and after reading this book it shed a light on what these saints went through.
January 18, 2019
Several spiritual writers recommend reading about the lives of the saints. The short biographies given here are at times familiar and many are new to me. I found the beginning (January) interesting. I found out who John Nepomucen Neuman (1811-60) was and about his fascinating life. Another saint whose story I found fascinating is St. Andre Bessette (1845-1937). Some twenty years ago we visited the St. Joseph’s Oratory on Mount Royal in Montreal. We were somewhat taken aback by women climbing the very steep main stairway in front on their bare knees. We were impressed by their devotion but knew nothing about this church which I find out now is a basilica. St. Andre’s story tells it.
This turned out to be so interesting and educational that I finished it early and are looking into Volume II which covers the second quarter of the year.
This turned out to be so interesting and educational that I finished it early and are looking into Volume II which covers the second quarter of the year.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews