Book Reviews2 Saints Off the Pedestal: real saints for real people

Nov 10, 2008

Book written by: Amanda M. Roberts

 

Amanda Roberts has written a new collection of biographies on ten saints who she presents as possible models for modern-day people.  Most people think the saints had it easy, but Roberts shows they reached their “pedestal” by living lives very similar to ours.  The saints had to work on their holiness such as St. Therese who had to overcome her annoyance for one of her fellow nuns.  She was so successful in doing this that this nun did not realize how much of an annoyance she was.  Another is St. Augustine of Hippo who could be the best example to boys and girls who try to live their lives in the fast lane.  St. Augustine’s early life would probably be considered today as that of a heathen.  He had a child out of wedlock and was a thief before his dramatic conversion.  St. Teresa of Avila enjoyed life to the fullest even when she became a nun she still lived an easy life.  She had a conversion moment and realized she and others of her order were called to live a more ascetic life according to a stricter observance of their rule.

 

Along with Saints Augustine and Therese, Roberts provides the biographies of St. Peter, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Martin de Porres, St. Elizabeth Seton, and St. Katharine Drexel.  If the reader reads the lives of these saints he or she will see how human these saints were and that it is possible for us to reach sanctity or a “pedestal.”

After each biography, Roberts provides a reflection for the reader to use for meditation.  Followed by the reflection are questions for personal or group discussion or reflection. 

 

The general reader will enjoy this book, especially those interested in a modern-day biography of some of the more popular saints.  This book would make a wonderful confirmation gift for anyone whose patron is one of these saints.  Roberts has done a great job in making the saints’ lives to be human and realistic instead of having unattainable holiness.  The reader will know that these saints were actually humans and not some porcelain statuary.

 

Amanda M. Roberts is the faith formation director at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Andover, Massachusetts.  Her undergraduate degree is from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and has her master of divinity from the University of Notre Dame.