Neglected Saints

E. I. Watkin

In his saints, God is manifest as goodness, power and truth. The variety of saints reflect the infinite beauty and love of the God whose image they most perfectly reflect. It is not enough, therefore, to know one or two or even a few saints. We must have a wide acquaintance with them. Of the multitude of saints and beati in the Church, it is but a mere handful of whom the majority of Catholics possess any knowledge. These studies of nine saints are an attempt to enlarge this narrow vision.

The saints whose portraits are sketched here are either practically unknown or, if their identity is common knowledge--St. Martin of Tours, for example, or St. Bruno--knowledge is confined to one or two outstanding facts. The author's scope is to paint a true and lifelike picture of a saint whose life has much more inspiration to offer today's Christian than has previously been widely known.

"Ignatius Press has done us all a favor in reprinting this classic on `neglected saints', giving us the opportunity to gaze afresh on the meaning of sanctity. Watkin does not exhibit the typical saccharine qualities of hagiography; his goal was `to paint ... a true and lifelike picture.' Thus, he provides studies of nine lesser known saints such as St. Bruno and St. Martin of Tours. The glory of God, as reflected in His saints, is well shared here and offers us an invitation to enter into it ourselves."
- Fr. Peter Stravinskas, Editor, The Catholic Answer