Saints Illustrated

In this illustrated volume, Dominic Connolly features 150 short profiles and depictions of Catholic Saints. I reviewed the digital version of the book, a quick and compelling read about Biblical figures and contemporary Catholic icons. Connolly compiled a diverse group – from San Lorenzo Ruiz of the Philippines to St. Kateri Tekakwitha, an Indigenous Mohawk woman. Each entry includes the saint’s birthplace, feast day, and patronage. With my upbringing in a predominantly Catholic country, I appreciated the chance to learn about the miracles, heroism, and sacrifices required for sainthood. It was interesting to note that a number of revered individuals took part in the revolution against oppressive governments, such as Oscar Romero of El Salvador and Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala of Mexico. Sainthood appears to have always been inclusive of women, with gender diversity increasing after the 1500s.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Saints Illustrated.

In Catholicism, saints are venerated and held in high regard and esteem. Saints come from all walks of life; from all over the world, some born rich or poor, some lived an impure life, some chose a life of chastity and virginity, but they all have one thing in common. Devotion to God.

Saints Illustrated thoughtfully arranges all the major saints in in chronological order, including Joan of Arc, St Paul, the Apostle who did most to spread Christianity following the death of Christ, to Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and less 'famous' saints such as Zita,

I enjoyed learning about the lesser known saints in Catholicism and what they did to spread the word of God, promote chastity and charity, and live an exemplary life.

The illustrations and artworks came through on my Kindle but I can imagine how stunning they would look in a hard copy.

From the description, I imagine this is a beautifully produced book and a must have for a Catholic household.

A quick read with lovely illustrations for each Saint depicted. This would be a great title for households and church libraries.

The Saints are presented in order of when they lived. The descriptions are not very long, so perfect for children or adults to get a concise description of these holy men and women.