New Saint Book is Visually Stunning and Filled with Detail

Review of Saints: Ancient and Modern by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua
Reviewed by Lisa M. Hendey
Catholic Online

Just in time for All Saints Day, the formidable partnership of Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua has joined forces again to create a new resource on the lives of the saints. Saints: Ancient and Modern (Viking Studio, March 2007, hardcover, 149 pages) offers the reader tremendous detail on the lives of over twenty saints, both well known and lesser known, who have an ongoing significance in today's modern world.

The roster of saints includes popular patrons such as St. Therese of Lisieux and less frequently discussed intercessors such as St. Ursula. The authors have divided the book into two chronological sections, with "Ancient" saints from pre-history to 1000 AD and "Modern" saints whose lives may have been more historically documented. The book also includes two wonderful appendix resources: a comprehensive list of written works by the saints included and an overview of the process of canonization.

For each saint memorialized in the book, a thorough chapter gives more than the typical "sound bite" overview of the saint's life. Along with chronological information, feast days, and information about patronage, a detailed biography is given including historical and legendary documentation. Each section includes an inspiring quote from the saint profiled and ends with a prayer or novena seeking the intercession of that holy man or woman.

What sets this book apart from the countless other resources on the saints is the stunning design and presentation of the content. From the small details such as layout and typeface to the incredible artistic images selected, Saints: Ancient and Modern is a work of art in and of itself. For each saint, co-author Sandra DiPasqua has selected either a painting or a photograph which truly speaks to the unique holiness of each individual. Another highlight of the book is the discussion of the reasons behind artistic depictions of these individuals. For example, why is St. Clare of Assisi frequently depicting holding the monstrance or why do portraits of St. Lucy show her holding a dish of eyeballs? These questions and more are answered thoughtfully and with an artist's insight and perspective.

Saints: Ancient and Modern is beautiful enough to grace your formal coffee table, but filled with so much information that you will want to use it as a frequent reference. It would make an excellent gift for any faith-filled person or those interested in learning more about the stories behind so much of the artwork that permeates our cultural world. This reviewer hopes that authors Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua will consider expanding their treatment of this topic with a sequel including more saints.

For more information on Saints: Ancient and Modern visit
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670038490/catholicmomcom

Lisa M. Hendey, wife and mother of two sons, is webmaster of www.catholicmom.com and podcast host of www.catholicmoments.com.

Contact

Catholicmom.com
http://www.catholicmom.com CA, US
Lisa M. Hendey - webmaster, 559 930-9336

Email

lisa@catholicmom.com

Keywords

saints, books, catholic, calamari, dipasqua, hendey

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »