Lives of the Saints

by Omer Englebert

What most readers want are the interesting and colourful facts and historical settings of these lives, and they would like these given without solemnity and subjective reflections. It is mainly for this public that the present work has been written. Biographies and not homilies will be found in it. This is not because the admiration and respectful friendship due to the saints is denied them here; but on the sole occasion when the author meets them, he has chosen to speak of them rather than of anything else; he has preferred to show them at work, tell about their lives, and record their words...from the Preface to the English edition

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

568 pages, Hardcover

First published June 23, 1994

Reviews

[Michelle Stimpson]

My favorite saint is St. Teresa of Avila, whose "holy aspirations were counteracted by what she later called her great sins, that is to say, reading novels, flirtations, and frivolous chatter."

[Sheri Fresonke Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the tales in this collection to provide a comprehensive list of well known Saints from the Europe region. The Saints had a mixed bag in terms of life, many showing stark changes from a life of luxury to a life of poverty. Many ended up tortured and killed. The saints are provided according to their historic Saint day, but alphabetical lists are available.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good reference book for those interested in saints. I actually read this cover to cover.