Product Review

Believers have known for centuries that prayer to the saints is a powerful thing. But finding the perfect saint to pray to for whatever problem or challenge you face just got a whole lot easier with Saints for Every Occasion - a new guide to the saints focusing on heavenly patrons especially relevant for our times.

Among the 101 saints profiled are patrons for parents facing divorce, single parenthood, troublesome in-laws, and disappointing kids; saints to watch over children at play and at school, as they watch TV or surf the web; saints for students and sports lovers; and patrons for many contemporary social issues, from homelessness to racial discrimination to AIDS.

Author Thomas J. Craughwell profiles patrons from five continents and many time periods. His saints range from contemporaries of Christ to more modern patrons like Padre Pio ("For a Good Confession"), Pier Giorgio Frassati ("For All Lovers of Sport"), and Faustina Kowalska ("For Confidence in Divine Mercy").

Craughwell's exhaustive research makes Saints a fascinating read for history buffs, and entertaining for anyone interested in learning more about the saints and how their different areas of patronage evolved. And the inclusion of 10 original illustrations by celebrated artist Arden von Haeger help show that the saints are not mere plaster figurines but real men and women who struggled with - and overcame - the same problems and challenges we face today.

Beautifully illustrated and entertainingly told, Saints for Every Occasion features 101 patrons you and your family will seek out time and again.