From Booklist
This alphabetical compendium profiles more than 400 saints recognized by either the Catholic or the Orthodox Church. Entries range from a brief paragraph to several pages and provide complete name, alternative names and spellings, biographical information, summation of religious experiences, reports of miracles or apparitions, and, when available, noteworthy dates: beatification, canonization, and feast day. Each saint's area of patronage is also noted. Some longer entries feature further reading citations listing books, journal articles, and Web sites. Occasional black-and-white illustrations--photographs, woodcuts and reproductions--appear throughout.Twelve appendixes supplement the data. Three list Doctors of the Church, Fathers of the Church, and canonized popes. Others identify patron saints by topic or place, provide a chronological calendar of feast days, or explain the processes of beatification and canonization. Three are devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary: feast days, authenticated apparitions, and unauthenticated apparitions. There is one glossary of general terms and another glossary of heresies. A detailed index completes the work.Written for the general public, the readable entries establish social and historical context and do not shy away from identifying controversial or unsubstantiated claims. In her introduction, the author tells that she was motivated to produce this work by a personal mystical experience. Despite this, she does not attempt to interpret or proselytize. Instead, she allows the facts to speak for themselves, as she has in her previous Facts On File publications, including Encyclopedia of Angels (1997) and Atlas of the Mysterious in North America (1994).Readers seeking inspiration through the lives and examples of historical figures have a multitude of titles to choose from. Recent offerings range from Richard P. McBrien's Lives of the Saints: From Mary and Francis of Assisi to John XXIII and Mother Teresa (Harper, 2001) to Heaven Help Us: The Worrier's Guide to the Patron Saints, by Alice La Plante and Clare La Plante (Dell, 1999). Public libraries in need of a basic, accessible resource for the reference collection, or collections that need to update (Guiley includes saints canonized as recently as 2000), will be well served by this volume. RBB
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Book Description
Prior to his religious conversion, St. Francis of Assisi was a liar, thief, and virtual madman known for running naked in the streets. Teresa of Avila healed herself on her deathbed by praying to her patron saint. St. Augustine converted after a terrifying dream in which God beat him black and blue for his pagan beliefs. These are just some of the colorful and riveting details that can be found in the Encyclopedia of Saints. This single-volume guide includes more than 400 entries that offer detailed biographical accounts of principal saints of the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Drawing on extensive research, the book explores their lives and religious journeys, mystical experiences, philosophies, and important influences. Appendixes include information on patron saints by topic, a calendar of feast days, beatified and canonized popes, an explanation of the canonization process, a glossary of terms, and a glossary of heresies. Saints profiled include: Blessed Andre Bessette, Anselm. Barnabas, Catherine of Sweden, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Fabian, Pope Gregory I, Hildegard of Bingen, John of the Cross, Lucy of Syracuse, Mark the Evangelist, Nicodemus, Rose of Lima, Simon Stylites, Thomas Aquinas, William of Norwich, Zita.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"This volume offers detailed accounts of the lives and experiences of more than 400 principal saints, from early martyrs such as Lucy of Syracuse to recently canonized saints such as Katherine Drexel. Entries provide a biographical overview, a record of the saint's religious journeys and mystical experiences, a discussion of personal philosophies and important theological influences, as well as his or her patronage, feast days and popular role within the Church." Extensive appendices include information on patron saints by topic, a calendar of feast days, beatified and canonized popes, an explanation of the canonization process, a glossary of terms and a glossary of heresies. The Encyclopedia of Saints brings to light both the religious heroism and colorful, little-known facts of the lives of saints for a comprehensive, in-depth exploration of sainthood.

SYNOPSIS

This volume explores the lives and religious journeys, mystical experiences, miracles, philosophies, and important influences of principal saints of the Catholic and Orthodox churches. In the approximately 400 entries, Gulley (author, columnist, and teacher on spirituality) profiles their lives and contributions (especially as related to education, charity, and health care), and has included some of the early martyrs, legendary figures, and church fathers and doctors. The book contains many b&w reproductions of prints and paintings. Appendices include information on patron saints by topic, a calendar of feast days, glossaries of terms and heresies, an explanation of the canonization process, and beatified and canonized popes.