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Over 508 illustrations
Over 513

• An authoritative guide to the lives and works of over 500 saints, from the Apostles to saints of the 20th century, encompassing saints from all over the world and from all walks of life



• Explores the religious and social history of Christian saints from the Apostles to the Holy Innocents and from feast days and patron saints to stigmata and martyrdom



• Includes biographies for each saint, with historical information about the era in which they lived, what holy works they performed, their Feast Day and patronage



• Special themed spreads explores every aspect of sainthood from pilgrimage and symbolism to miracles, stigmata and relics



• Contains comprehensive lists of Feast Days and Patron Saints



• Over 500 stunning fine art paintings, sculptures, engravings, artefacts, photographs and illustrations

Far more than a dictionary of saints, this beautifully illustrated book is an informative chronicle that explores the mysterious conditions of sainthood and tells the lives of the saints in a comprehensive and modern approach to this fascinating subject.

Saints are recognized in every corner of the world, and an introductory chapter explains how these special souls are chosen. Although the Church may investigate and confirm their status, saints are selected by Christian communities themselves. Deciding who is worthy of sainthood is inspired by faith: worldly matters such as power, wealth, class, race, age or gender are irrelevant in the naming of saints.

This broad-ranging introduction unravels the myths that surround sainthood. It discusses questions such as why saintly symbols are so important in Christian art, the significance of relics, how certain places become holy sites, and how the purpose of pilgrimage has changed over the centuries.

The second part of the book is a fully illustrated encyclopedia of over 500 saints, listed in chronological order from the Apostles and early Christian martyrs to 20th-century saints. The life and work of each saint is described. As well as dozens of well-known and well-loved saints such as St Christopher, St Theresa of Avila and St Francis of Assisi, entries also include 1st century martyrs, African saints of the 19th century, and a Jewish woman who embraced Christianity only to suffer horrendous punishment in 20th-century Germany.

Themed spreads throughout the book explore subjects such as Celtic Saints, Saints and Animals, and Symbolism and Saints. There are charts of patron saints for every activity from housework to computers, lost things to music. And there are lists of some of the most popular Feast Days from around the world.

The book is illustrated with more than 500 beautiful colour images of saints and the places they lived their lives; among them are some of the finest works of western art. A valuable reference book for any historian, this expert and authoritative guide will absorb, entertain and fascinate every reader interested in discovering more about Christianity and the lives of the saints.

About the Authors

Tessa Paul - Author

Tessa Paul is the author of a number of non-fiction titles, including a biography on Louis Comfort Tiffany, the American craftsman, and two titles on stained glass and decorative tiles. Working as an editor on a series of 32 books on mainly religious festivals around the world, she also authored some of the titles. Her fiction for children has been published by Scholastic, and non-fiction titles about animal life were published by Crabtree. Her poems have appeared in an anthology and in poetry magazines and recently, she completed a commission as the writer on a project about the life of the popular author, Catherine Cookson, including articles on the historical background to her novels.