Real Women, Real Saints

 Gina Loehr’s Real Women, Real Saints: Friends for Your Spiritual Journey introduces readers to over 100 woman saints, blesseds, venerables, and servants of God. The book is organized by the cardinal or theological virtue exemplified by each saint.

So, are you looking for a model of prudence? St. Gorgonia, a wife and mother, excelled in hospitality and was sought out because of her wisdom. She is the daughter of saints, and her brothers are both saints as well (one of whom is Doctor of the Church St. Gregory Nazianzen). How about fortitude? You might turn to Bl. Frances Trehet, a nun martyred during the French Revolution, who sang the Salve Regina on the way to the guillotine. Justice? St. Zita, an Italian housemaid, did her job faithfully and diligently even when her coworkers conspired against her. Her goodness and virtue eventually won over the household.

Loehr is a good storyteller, and she relates each saint’s life to the issues and concerns women face. Loehr’s biographical sketches also include feast days and patronage. The book contains a couple small factual errors, but these don’t detract from its overall helpfulness. The women Loehr profiles come from all social and economic backgrounds. They are religious and lay, single and married, young and old, widowed and martyred. They remind us that sanctity is for every woman, no matter what her vocation or station in life.

-Sarah Rozman (from Lay Witness magazine. www.cuf.org)

You can purchase this title here.