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Faces of Holiness II: Modern Saints in Photos and Words
Ann Ball’s book is a smorgasbord of biographical portraits of saints, blesseds, venerables, servants of God and those-in the very early stages-on the path to sainthood. If Catholic readers are familiar with the works of Joan Carroll Cruz, they will find this work of Ann Ball’s not just stimulating and inspiring but also very informative. Maintaining the Catholic ideal in such a secularized and indifferent world can be quite laborious, to say the least, but the heroic individuals, as profiled in Ball’s excellent book, show that it is not impossible. The lives, as presented here, speak of ordinary people who were possessors of a universal faith, yet, who lived that Catholic faith in a vibrant, intellectual, proactive and supernatural way; they were career oriented, family oriented, and above all else, faith oriented. Included in this work of assorted biographies are the lives of two medical doctors-see Dr. Agnes McLaren who was the leading inspiration behind the Medical Mission Sisters, founded by Dr. Anna Maria Dengel and Saint Dr. Joseph Moscati, the holy doctor of Naples whose life was one of unlimited charity, Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Catholic Church, Saint Clelia Barbieri, who, at age 21, founded the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows, the youngest founder of a religious order in the Church’s history
448 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 20, 2016
Ann Ball’s book is a smorgasbord of biographical portraits of saints, blesseds, venerables, servants of God and those-in the very early stages-on the path to sainthood. If Catholic readers are familiar with the works of Joan Carroll Cruz, they will find this work of Ann Ball’s not just stimulating and inspiring but also very informative.
Maintaining the Catholic ideal in such a secularized and indifferent world can be quite laborious, to say the least, but the heroic individuals, as profiled in Ball’s excellent book, show that it is not impossible. The lives, as presented here, speak of ordinary people who were possessors of a universal faith, yet, who lived that Catholic faith in a vibrant, intellectual, proactive and supernatural way; they were career oriented, family oriented, and above all else, faith oriented. Included in this work of assorted biographies are the lives of two medical doctors-see Dr. Agnes McLaren who was the leading inspiration behind the Medical Mission Sisters, founded by Dr. Anna Maria Dengel and Saint Dr. Joseph Moscati, the holy doctor of Naples whose life was one of unlimited charity, Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Catholic Church, Saint Clelia Barbieri, who, at age 21, founded the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows, the youngest founder of a religious order in the Church’s history. Also profiled is the wonderful story of the Venerable servant of God Carla Ronci, who wanted to be a nun but who, after serious discernment, realized that God was calling her to the lay state. However, it was a state within the Catholic secular institute of the Mater Misericordiae of Macerata, a lay apostolate where much good came from her skills and powerful faith. Lastly, there is the life of Montserrat Grases, a numerary member of Opus Dei, who, like Chiara “Luce” Badano of the Focolari Movement, became a shining example of holy faith while battling Ewing’s sarcoma. She was given the title Venerable in 2016 by Pope Francis. These are just some of the lives that resonated with me personally, but there are countless others from all walks of life who are lovingly and meticulously profiled in this book who can give you a momentary pause for thought: Why not me?
Books like these are necessary in this day-in-age where people of all backgrounds, ages and life experiences are endlessly asking, Where is God? How can I have a relationship with Him? What do I do? What’s it like to have Him in my life? How do I get His attention? Foremost, I say pray. Then I say listen. Then go from there. That is what these figures did in Ann Ball’s book. It’s all so remarkably simple and straightforward. But the joy will be endless.
Maintaining the Catholic ideal in such a secularized and indifferent world can be quite laborious, to say the least, but the heroic individuals, as profiled in Ball’s excellent book, show that it is not impossible. The lives, as presented here, speak of ordinary people who were possessors of a universal faith, yet, who lived that Catholic faith in a vibrant, intellectual, proactive and supernatural way; they were career oriented, family oriented, and above all else, faith oriented. Included in this work of assorted biographies are the lives of two medical doctors-see Dr. Agnes McLaren who was the leading inspiration behind the Medical Mission Sisters, founded by Dr. Anna Maria Dengel and Saint Dr. Joseph Moscati, the holy doctor of Naples whose life was one of unlimited charity, Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Catholic Church, Saint Clelia Barbieri, who, at age 21, founded the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows, the youngest founder of a religious order in the Church’s history. Also profiled is the wonderful story of the Venerable servant of God Carla Ronci, who wanted to be a nun but who, after serious discernment, realized that God was calling her to the lay state. However, it was a state within the Catholic secular institute of the Mater Misericordiae of Macerata, a lay apostolate where much good came from her skills and powerful faith. Lastly, there is the life of Montserrat Grases, a numerary member of Opus Dei, who, like Chiara “Luce” Badano of the Focolari Movement, became a shining example of holy faith while battling Ewing’s sarcoma. She was given the title Venerable in 2016 by Pope Francis. These are just some of the lives that resonated with me personally, but there are countless others from all walks of life who are lovingly and meticulously profiled in this book who can give you a momentary pause for thought: Why not me?
Books like these are necessary in this day-in-age where people of all backgrounds, ages and life experiences are endlessly asking, Where is God? How can I have a relationship with Him? What do I do? What’s it like to have Him in my life? How do I get His attention? Foremost, I say pray. Then I say listen. Then go from there. That is what these figures did in Ann Ball’s book. It’s all so remarkably simple and straightforward. But the joy will be endless.
August 30, 2008
This book often made me sad, but it was inspiring at the same time. It helped me realize that holy people come from all times, age groups, and countries. And that all of us should aspire to be saints. Its a tough book to read at times because of the atrocities committed against Catholics, especially priests and religious, but I recommend it to all.
September 14, 2013
I started this book not expecting to finish it. Just thought I'd read a few of the stories. But once I dug into it, I found it very enjoyable to read and didn't stop. Studying the saints is an excellent way to get to know God. This book covered many of the more obscure saints, and I liked how it gave intimate details around their relationship with God.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews