Happy All Saints’ Day! Can you hear the choir? I mean the heavenly choir, of course. Like the best earthly choirs, many different voices are needed, and we are so blessed to live in an era when we have ready access to those voices.
Books about the saints are ubiquitous. You can find stories suitable for all ages, and many writings of the saints themselves are available for free on the internet.
What doesn’t seem to be available on the internet is a comprehensive list. The modern process for canonization began in 1588. Pope St. John Paul II canonized 482 saints, and there have been several “mass” canonizations of groups of martyrs that have added to the ranks. Then, of course, there is the Catholic belief in the “communion of saints,” which is all of us (CCC 946).
At our latest Catholic Women in Business writers’ meeting, our icebreaker question inspired this article.
If you could write a book with a saint, who would it be and why?
The answers were as diverse as the saints themselves!
My answer was St. Faustina, whom I have been getting to know since I started attending a church named after her in Florida, where half of my grandkids live. I recently wrote about this for her feast day, so I’ll focus on the team’s answers.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux was a popular answer.
“She has sent me so many ‘roses’ or ‘God-winks’ in the past few years, specifically — almost like she’s following me,” said Marisa McDonald. “I would love to write a book with her to see what little tidbits she’d have to share and what ‘roses’ could bless other people through writing with her.”
Caroline Tentor agreed: “I would love to get a snapshot into her brain as well as I think it would be fun to co-author a book with someone around my age,” she said. “I would just love to learn more about her mind.”
Co-President Taryn DeLong has a great idea to co-author a children’s book with Thérèse about playing with the child Jesus. (Taryn’s been vetting books for her daughters.) In her spare time, Taryn would write with Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) in order to “benefit from her wisdom.”
Joan of Arc was also a popular choice for her leadership, boldness, strength, and trust.
“I love St. Joan of Arc because of how fiercely she trusted in God’s call and provision,” said Brigid Tebaldi. “Even when she was facing death at the stake, she trusted God’s plan for her life. She never forced anyone to follow her, but she was a leader simply by how she lived.”
Financial advisor Erica Matthews has been pushing out of her comfort zone with CrossFit and mentioned Joan.
“She feels decently close to me right now, learning how to balance being strong and feminine at the same time,” Erica said.
Creative Director Lisa Johnson also chose St. Joan of Arc: “She was brilliant despite not knowing how to read or write, and her bravery was unmatched. I want her advice!”
CWIB Project Manager Laura Henry would love to learn the powers of holy persuasion from St. Catherine of Siena.
“She was fearless in reaching out to anyone — regardless of their status, such as the pope and political leaders — in the service of God, despite the fact that she had no earthly qualifications, so to speak,” she said.
Personal Connections
As you might expect, many of the answers had to do with personal experience — or desired personal experiences.
If plans come to fruition, you can look forward to a memoir about Tiffany Grierson’s conversion featuring co-author St. Mary Magdalene.
“We have a Savior who wants to restore and redeem us all and who never stops pursuing His children,” Tiffany said. “She had an intimate understanding of this, and I’d love her help sharing this truth with the world.”
Sarah Gagliano Taliun chose St. Anne — Mary’s mother and Jesus’ grandmother — because her parents chose Anne as her middle name. Look for Sarah’s forthcoming piece on grandparents as part of our Advent content.
St. Bernadette has been our Community Manager Caroline Kenagy’s “go-to” saint this year.
“I love that she is a fellow eldest daughter, and I have leaned on her for emotional and spiritual healing for myself and people I love in my life,” Caroline said.
Kimberly Pawlowski wants to learn more from her confirmation saint, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
“I love that she was a devoted wife and mother who used her charisms to persevere through difficult times to help and encourage others,” she said. “I’d love to write a book with her about trusting in God through it all.”
Ann Burns has a deep connection to St. Edmund Campion.
“When I was a little girl, any time I was scared, there was a little red book that had the story of St. Edmund Campion,” she said. “I would always turn to it, read it, and I found such comfort and peace reading about his bravery. I always felt like he was watching out for me.”
Then, as a teen, “I was so excited to find out that my favorite author, Evelyn Waugh, also thought highly of him and wrote his biography. So, he has a special place in my heart and always will.”
Tracy Kinealy, our newest team member, struggled to decide between Pope St. John Paul II’s poetic heart, the wise sassiness of St. Teresa of Ávila, and the wisdom of St. Gianna Beretta Molla.
“I would love to hear what she has to say to women of the 21st century,” she said.
Newlywed Caroline Tentor agreed: “I think St. Gianna is a voice a lot of women in our day and age need to hear from!”
Seeing Ourselves in the Saints
Alex Harrel appreciated St. Martha’s boldness and candor.
“She wasn’t afraid of telling Jesus what was on her mind, and I like to think that led her to be more open to His gentle direction on what’s most important,” she said.
Facebook Group Manager Anna McCorkle would love to write or create something with St. Hildegard von Bingen, who was “SO ahead of her time and SO smart!”
“I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from her, and I’d love to learn from her about her relationship with God,” she said. “I think I’d also like St. Michael, but I may be too scared because I personally don’t want to confront the devil!”
Dr. Glory Enyinnaya made the unique choice of King Solomon and provided a title: “Solomon in All His Glory.”
“As an academic, I’m a lover of wisdom, and Solomon is synonymous with that,” Dr. Glory said. “It’s also charming that the phrase ‘Solomon in all his glory’ is eponymous.”
The tastiest idea came from Valentina Imhoff.
“I would co-author a cookbook with Blessed Conchita Cabrera,” she said. “Her biographers say she once wrote a cookbook and was wildly funny. It would be fun to mix up recipes together in the kitchen and write about God’s love for family and food.”
Which saints intrigue you? We are always looking for inspiration and ideas at Catholic Women in Business. If there’s a saint you’d like to know more about, write to me at sharon@catholicwomeninbusiness.com.
Catholic Women in Business Managing Editor Sharon Bengel is a cradle Catholic with more than 30 years of experience in writing, communications, and publication design. A recovering newspaper reporter with a crush on the prophet Jeremiah, Sharon loves discovering new things about the scriptures. She runs an LLC out of her home office in southwest Ohio, where she keeps a stash of chocolate for her grandkids.