978-0-86716-800-6
Are the saints relevant in today’s world? We may think of the saints as people who lived lives of extreme piety, their days filled with prayer and holy acts, and, at times, even visions of the divine. But we may not realize these people endured struggles of faith and everyday life. No saint lived a life of perfection, but all were able to persevere in faith, becoming spiritual guides and models for Christian living. Roberts takes an in-depth look at all aspects of the lives of these holy men and women so that we can find inspiration to follow their examples of holiness. She includes interesting facts about the life and times of each saint, reflection sections and questions for individual or group use.
Saints Off the Pedestal
Real Saints for Real People
by Amanda Roberts
“… As we go about our lives, looking for direction, searching for guidance as we confront perplexing questions and challenges, it is unfortunate that we don’t turn to these heroes of our faith for help more often. Looking to these men and women for insight into our own lives, we find that despite the fact that they didn’t have things like computers and cars (and some of them would probably have loved to have them), even the most extraordinary among them is surprisingly and accessibly human. For none of these saints were born on the pedestal to which we have relegated them. They struggled to find and persevere in their paths just like the rest of us do…. And at the end of the day they came through their ordeals, just like we can, just like we must.”
—from the Introduction