Voices of the Saints: A 365-Day Journey with Our Spiritual Companions

by Bert Ghezzi

Catholics around the world rely on the Catholic saints for guidance and inspiration . . . so it's important that the saints and their stories be easy to find. Voices of the Saints by Bert Ghezzi provides readers with many convenient ways to look up 365 Catholic saints: chronologically, alphabetically, by feast day, even by theme. The saint's patronage is also listed when available, as is the date of beatification or canonization.

While the reference possibilities are abundant, the inspiring stories of these saints are still the primary focus of the book, and each entry is written in such a way as to help us feel the companionship of the saint. The voice of each saint comes through clearly in quotations drawn from their own writings, the recollection of witnesses, and the careful work of biographers.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Spirituality

808 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 1998

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Page-and-a-half readings on each of saints recognized by the Catholic church are narrated by Ghezzi and most include writings of the saint him- or herself. The saints are placed in the book in alphabetical order, but the book also provides a guide to read the saints chronologically, by topic, or by calendar feast date. The small snippets are interesting, but left me looking up a lot of information online. Ghezzi seems to take liberties to edit down the lives of the saints to make his own point about which attributes Catholics should emulate.

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this book since the first edition came out and I was lucky enough to score a review copy. I now have it on my Kindle for ease in reading about whatever saint has come up in alphabetical order that day. Each is covered in about two pages, which include a sizable chunk of the saint's writing or something by a contemporary (if they weren't a "writing" saint) so we get a deeper look at them from the inside. It is my favorite saint book.

Here's a bit more from The Anchoress whose full review you can read here.

Bert Ghezzi’s Voices of the Saints; A Year of Readings is one of those books every Catholic household really should have. This is a meticulously researched and cross-referenced book of saints for grown-ups. No pictures, no frills – you get the information you are seeking, and a taste of their own writings, but the book is arranged with themes and calendar prompts. If you’re if you’re dealing with issues of, say, obedience, you look under “obedience” (if you’re feeling cranky look under “porcupine saints”) and you’re be referred to a helpful Christian whose one struggles or wisdom will help you out. This book gives you a real sense of the “communion” of saints.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[J Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to request a copy from a young man on the internet. This is a great book that touches on any number of subjects concerning saints. It literally is a wealth of information about the saints, albeit the descriptions are summaries. You can learn about which saints to read about concerning a concept that you are working with. You can also read day by day. You can even read by the era in which the saints lived. This book also includes the apostles. One thing that I found challenging while reading this book was that you have to move around in the book and this becomes somewhat confusing if you read books straight through. If you like books that skip around then this book is for you.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my year-round Saints book, I love it!

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving. It makes you feel like the saints are speaking to you, telling you their life stories.

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are better Saints books out there. I felt like some saints had more and better information then others. This book is a good enough book if you want an easy to follow introduction to the saints. You don't have to read this as a daily devotional. I read afew pages per week and was still able to understand it.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was probably my least favorite saint book I've ever come across. I had to force myself to read each entry, so I finally allowed myself to quit when I was half-way through. I just didn't like it much.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book. Great for daily devotional and reading. Provides a nice intro to lives of the saints. Its a good book keeping in mind that it is not an all encompassing on either content or quantity, but it's still nice.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the saints, for those of us who didn't attend Sunday school.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! Lots of information, easy to read one Saint at a time!

[Jonas Stephan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

God so good Corking