Saintly Youth of Modern Times

If you were in doubt that you couldn't become a Saint...have no fear. This book of countless 'modern' youth of our times will boost your spirits and have you say, 'If they can do it, so can I.' Great models indeed to imitate and follow. You can at least find one saintly youth that 'connects' well with you. When you do, pray to them. Ask for there help. They are in Heaven waiting to help us down here on earth so we can also reach Heaven. Perfect for birthdays, Christmas, Confirmation, and even graduations. A book to inspire the youth (and adults too) living during the 21st Century. God Bless!!!

Being a lay Catholic in the modern world is not always easy, for there are many impediments that prevent people from slowing down and finding the simple quite time in their lives to pray and to contemplate the divinity of the Holy Trinity, the mysteries of the Holy Eucharist and Mass and the Blessed Virgin; it is a whole different domain of thinking. But the saintly laywomen as profiled in Joan Carroll Cruz's book made it work to such an extent that they made it to the honors of the alter, and if they didn't make it there as of yet, their candidacy is still on the positive diocesan level while others simply need a miracle, due to their intercession, to be validated. In the book, seventy-five laywomen are examined, and their professions and lives run the gamut from medical doctor (St. Gianna Beretta Molla) to rape victim (Blessed Pierina Morosini) to abused wife (Servant of God Praxedes Fernandez) to math professor (Wiera Ida Francia) to medical student and victim soul (Venerable Benedetta Bianchi Porro) to administrator and politician (Servant of God Hildegard Burjan). There is a laundry list of careers and Catholic movements that these women were involved with. Some, too, had families of their own or were stepmothers. But their love was all giving. Some women were college students and others domestic servants, but the commonality that united them all together was their deep-rooted and unyielding commitment to live the truth of Jesus Christ and the Catholic doctrine fully, completely, healthily and honestly. In reading some of these profiles, their witnesses were not all rosy and charismatically spirit filled to the point where they swooned and then spoke in glossolalia. It was more down-to-earth and even humdrum sometimes. The core dramatics would stem primarily from the women who were the martyrs for purity (Pierina Morosini. Teresa Bracco. Santa Scorese) or those murdered for their faith. Each profile is a fascinating chapter, unique in every way, because where one holy woman might have been a rich socialite (Servant of God Matilde Salem), the other was a long suffering indigent (Servant of God Maria Carolina Scampone). They are profiled side-by-side as witnesses to the ultimate truth. The great thing about the book, Saintly Women of Modern Times, as it was with Saintly Men of Modern Times, is that it showcases the deep faith of laymen and laywomen. It is not just nuns and priest who are saintly - literally. The focus is shone into the working world of those who do not have vocations to the religious life but who still strive to reach toward the pinnacle, to the world beyond this one. Additionally, a reader can just open the book to any page and start reading a profile, not like other books where you have to start form the beginning and read to the end. It's like a reference book. As a layman myself, I appreciated much of what I read of these heroic women. And while they were all saintly, the woman who resonated with me most was Dr. Wiera (Ida

This is a great, inspiring, collection of the lives of young people whose Canonisation has started. I love this book and it shows how ordinary young people, living in different places, times and backgrounds can live good lives, despite often difficult circumstances or illness. Some of the causes have progressed, an example one of my favourites, is Ven. Chiara Badano who will be Beatified on 25 September 2010! I would highly recommend the authors other books as well, and the ones by the late Anne Ball.

Great author and interesting stories. There is a lot of overlap between this book and "Young Faces of Holiness" by Ann Ball. I prefer Ball's book which is a little more exciting and gives more bang for the buck, but Cruz's book is a very good read too.

What an awesome book! It chronicles the lives of several young people, ages 6-19, who are at different stages in the process of becoming canonized Saints. This book shows that the goal of sanctity is not wishful thinking,or a privilege reserved for a few, but a reality that is attainable even by very ordinary children. It will inspire the young and humble the old. I was especially touched by the courage of each young person in the face of suffering. The book left me exclaiming: Truly, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. A great gift for anyone (Catholic or not) who wishes to love Christ more deeply and understand the redemptive value of suffering. The book also provides a very helpful explanation of the different titles and stages in the process of Canonization. Absolutely the perfect Confirmation gift.