Author: Format: ISBN: H x W x D: Manufacturer: Date: Pages:
Joan Carroll Cruz
Soft Cover
0-89555-383-X
9" (22.8 cm) x 6" (15.2 cm) x 2" (5.08 cm)
TAN
1989
780
General Description:
SECULAR SAINTS is a book unique in Catholic literature, for among these saints there are no priests, no nuns, no monks-just "secular saints"- men, women and children who achieved great sanctity while living in the world-men, women and children who often had to overcome incredible difficulties to achieve holiness, who were placed in the most unlikely circumstances, who committed outrageous sins prior to their conversion, or who faced the most unbelievable problems. Here are recounted such stories as the saint who mistakenly murdered his parents, the saint who committed rape, the saint who was killed by his adopted son, the saint who for many years was a man's mistress, saints who were alcoholics, saints who died in childbirth, saints who had an unfaithful husband or wife, saints who were orphaned, who were abandoned, who married young, who died young, who ran away from home, who left the Faith and later returned, who died for the Faith, who were killed in battle, who were murdered, saints who were tortured, who were fired from a job, who were disliked, who were homely or illiterate, who were mystics, who were neglected, who were poor, who were ridiculed, who were sick, who had mental problems, who endured others' bad temper, who had trouble with their in-laws, who though married lived as celibates, etc.
Before writing this book, Mrs. Cruz set the definite standard of selecting only those saints who never became priests, monks or nuns, and who never lived the life of cloistered religious. She even excluded saints like St. Catherine of Siena, St. Rose of Lima and St. Joan of Arc because either they lived like nuns (St. Rose) or they had an extraordinary mission miraculously designated by God (St. Catherine and St. Joan). Rather, she chose only those lay men, women and children who lived in the world like people today and who faced many of the same problems most of us face in working for a living, raising our children, living with our spouse, getting along with our in-laws, dealing with poverty, living in ill health, and handling all the same sorts of problems met by people today. The author determined in advance to write a book about lay people, to inspire lay people. And did she succeed!
Youngest child in a large family. At the age of 6 she had a vision in which Jesus appeared and blessed her. Her parents wanted her to marry, but she became a Dominican tertiary. Mystic. Stigmatist. Received a vision in which she was in a mystical marriage with Christ, and the Infant Christ presented her with a wedding ring. Counselor to Pope Gregory XI and Pope Urban VI. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church on 4 October 1970.
Born 25 March 1347 at Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Died 29 April 1380 of a mysterious and painful illness that came on without notice, and was never properly diagnosed
Patron Of:
France, Imprisoned, Martyrs, Prisoners, Rape Victims, Soldiers
Profile One of five children born to Jacques d'Arc and Isabelle Romee. Shepherdess. Mystic. From age 13 she received visions from Saint Margaret of Antioch, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and Michael the Archangel.
In the early 15th century, England, in alliance with Burgundy, controlled most of what is modern France. In May 1428 Joan's visions told her to find the true king of France and help him reclaim his throne. She resisted for more than three years, but finally went to Charles VII in Chinon and told him of her visions. Carrying a banner that read "Jesus, Mary", she led troops from one battle to another. She was severely wounded, but her victories from 23 February 1429 to 23 May 1430 brought Charles VII to the throne. Captured by the Burgundians during the defence of Compiegne, she was sold to the English for 10 thousand francs. She was put on trial by an ecclesiastical court conducted by Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, a supporter of England, and was excuted as a heretic. In 1456 her case was re-tried, and Joan was acquitted (23 years too late).
"About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter." - Saint Joan of Arc, as recorded at her trial
Born 6 January 1412 at Greux-Domremy, Lorraine, France
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