Saints

saints, image courtesy wordbytes.org Introduction

Catholic school students in the Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocese often need resources on specific saints. Fourth graders participate in an annual All-Schools Mass dressed as the saint of their choice and often they are asked to do a report on their saint. Seventh graders are required to do a report on the saint chosen for their confirmation name. These resources were gathered to help students find information on various saints.



Jump to:     Useful Terms     Selection Criteria     Reference     Books     Web Sites     Other Resources     Extension Ideas

Useful Terms

canonize (verb) - to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint

hagiography (noun) - biography of saints or venerated persons

Definitions are from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Selection Criteria

Resources were chosen for inclusion on this list if they were appropriate for the age group and well documented. Completeness, credibility and authority of the source were considered. Web sites that were particularly inclusive and covered a large number of saints, especially those that are more obscure, were considered beneficial.


Reference

AuthorTitlePublisherDate
Attwater, DonaldThe Penguin Dictionary of SaintsLondon; New York: Penguin Books1995
A wonderful overview of many saints can be found in this reference work.
Farmer, David HughThe Oxford Dictionary of SaintsOxford; New York: Oxford University Press2003
"Fully updated and revised with over 100 new saints, the fifth edition of this well-respected and enjoyed dictionary features concise accounts of the lives, cults, and artistic associations of over 1,400 saints, from the famous to the obscure."*
Guiley, RosemaryThe Encyclopedia of SaintsNew York, NY: Facts on File/Checkmark Books2001
"This alphabetical compendium profiles more than 400 saints recognized by either the Catholic or the Orthodox Church."*
McBrien, Richard P.Lives of the Saints: From Mary and St. Francis of Assisi to John XXIII and Mother Teresa[San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco2001
"...Excellent essays about the history of sainthood, veneration, and the process of canonization...."*

Books

Check the call number j282.0922 at any Allen County Public Library location, or look in the biography section (call number jB, followed by the person's name - last name, if known).


AuthorTitlePublisherDate
Beckett, WendySister Wendy's Book of SaintsLondon; New York: DK Pub.1998
"Sister Wendy presents illuminated images and histories of 35 saints selected from the artwork of the Italian State Libraries and describes their attributes and personalities based on traditional information."*
Bunson, Matthew & MargaretLives of the Saints You Should Know, Volume 1Huntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor1994
"...Matthew and Margaret Bunson bring life to "heroes with halos" in this book about the saints."*
Bunson, Matthew & MargaretLives of the Saints You Should Know, Volume 2Huntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor1997
Read about saints "From the famous to the obscure, the public to the private."*
Bunson, Matthew, et al.Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, RevisedHuntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor1998
"Here in one giant volume are the lives of hundreds of saints, famous and obscure...."*
Greene, CarolBeggars, Beasts & Easter Fire: Stories of Early SaintsBatavia, Ill.: Lion Pub.1993
Describes the accomplishments and struggles of twenty important saints who lived in fourteen countries during the first fifteen centuries of Christian history.
Hartman, BobEarly Saints of GodMinneapolis, MN: Augsburg1998
Discussion topics and a prayer accompany the stories of fifteen saints, including St. Nicholas, St. Marcella, St. Brigid, St. Cuthbert, St. Stanislas, St. Louis, and St. Zita.
Lovasik, Lawrence G.New Picture Book of Saints: Illustrated Lives of the Saints for Young and OldNew York: Catholic Book Publ. Co.1979
"...Contains the stories of the lives of 106 popular saints, and each is made more memorable by a twofold portrayal in word and picture."*
Neuberger, Anne E.Stories of Saints Through the Centuries: Mystics & Martyrs, Healers & Hermits, Soldiers & SeekersMystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications1999
Each chapter in this book contains three sections: the times..., the story..., and activities....
Nevins, Albert J.A Saint for Your Name: Saints for BoysHuntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor2000
"Each entry details the origin and meaning of the name as well as a historical account of the saint including feast day and other important information."*
Nevins, Albert J.A Saint for Your Name: Saints for GirlsHuntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor2000
"Each entry details the origin and meaning of the name as well as a historical account of the saint including feast day and other important information."*
Pochocki, EthelSaints of the Seasons for ChildrenCincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press1989
Brief biographies of saints, Biblical characters, and angels.
Quinn, FrederickAfrican Saints: Saints, Martyrs, and Holy People from the Continent of AfricaNew York: Crossroad2002
"The 86 entries in this book describe men and women whose holiness took root in Africa between the first century and the 21st century."*
Sandoval, AnnetteThe Directory of Saints: A Concise Guide to Patron SaintsNew York, N.Y.: Penguin1997
"A handy compilation of several hundred saints listed alphabetically by patron subject (places, conditions, and occupations)."*
Wallace, Susan HelenSaints for Young Readers for Every DayBoston, Mass.: Pauline Books & Media1999
Read about a different saint every day of the year, from every nation and race, from centuries long past right down to more recent times.
Welborn, AmyThe Loyola Kids' Book of SaintsChicago: Loyola Press2001
Explains what saints are and introduces the morals and values of various saints.

Web Sites

Patron Saints:

Other Resources

For Biographical Information: These CD-ROMs have biographical information on lots of saints, plus some additional activities you may find interesting.


For Clipart: Use this software to add some spice to your report or get ideas for a saint costume.

Extension Ideas

  1. Imagine you are a particular saint. Research and think about the time they lived. What would life have been like? What kinds of things would they experience? Write a story in first person as if you were that saint.
  2. What qualities should be considered to canonize a person? Imagine your congregation is compiling a report on a parishioner to present to the pope. What would a modern-day saint act like? Include this information in your report to the pope.


saints, image courtesy wordbytes.org Conclusion

Hopefully you will find these resources helpful in your search. If you need more information or have questions, speak with your teacher or Ask a Librarian!


This site was created by Sara Patalita on 5/29/03.

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