The lives of the Saints are one of the most powerful ways God draws people to himself, showing us the love and the joy we can find in him. But so often, these Saints seem distant―impossibly holy or dull or unlike us in race and age and state in life. In Saints Around the World, you'll meet over one-hundred Saints from more than sixty countries, including Saints with different disabilities, strengths, and struggles. The beautiful illustrations and captivating storytelling will introduce you and your children to new heavenly friends while also helping you fall more in love with Jesus.
Each story in this book is written not only to capture the imagination but also to speak about God's tremendous love and our call to be saints. There are stories in Saints Around the World for when you feel like life isn't fair, when people are being unkind to you, when you've made a terrible mistake, when you're struggling at school, when prayer is hard. And there are stories of shouting down Nazis, of fleeing a murderous villain, of making scientific discoveries, of smoking a cigar while enemy soldiers amputate your leg.
There are scared Saints, brilliant Saints, weak Saints, adventurous Saints, abused Saints, overjoyed Saints, disabled Saints―and the point of every one of them is the love of God. Whether you're checking the map to find Saints who look like you or perusing the extensive indices to find Saints with your skills or struggles, you'll find countless stories in this book that remind you how very possible holiness is.
"Accessible, fascinating and COOL! Every parent, teacher, and catechist should immediately order copies of Saints Around The World by Meg Hunter-Kilmer and Lindsey Sanders. This eclectic sampling of saints, many of whom you may have never heard of before, shows incredible diversity across cultures and backgrounds and gives us enlightening history and geography lessons, as well as moving examples of how mere humans, regular people like us, became saints by remaining true to God's design for their lives. We can make the world a better place and have the joy of Christ's love no matter what our circumstances. My children, aged seven to sixteen, were transfixed by the stunning artwork and captivated by the beautifully written biographical details. These intriguing stories are not about make-believe characters, but about real people who are now in heaven and can be powerful intercessors for us. Real heroes that can be our spiritual friends and confidantes, helping us to cope with our fears and anxieties and inspiring us with their bravery and love of God."
JEANNIE GAFFIGAN, Producer, Writer, Philanthropist, Mother of Five, and New York Times Bestselling Author of When Life Gives You Pears
"If you own only one saints book―for your kids OR yourself―own this one. Meg Hunter-Kilmer and Lindsey Sanders have produced a book that is a joy, a delight, a beauty, a wellspring of inspiring stories, and a sure help on the path to sainthood for your whole family. It's a true treasure."
EMILY STIMPSON CHAPMAN, Author of The Catholic Table
"God created each and every single one of us for no other reason than because He wants for us to become saints. Unfortunately, most of us grow up in churches that only depict some members of the body of Christ as holy. If we don't encounter saints who look like us or have stories similar to our own then we might grow up thinking that becoming a saint is not an option for us. Representation matters. Meg Hunter-Kilmer's book, Saints Around the World makes up for what is lacking in many of our churches. I believe that the stories and images of the saints depicted in this work will inspire a whole new generation of saints from every race, nation, tribe, and tongue."
FR. JOSH JOHNSON, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Author of Broken & Blessed, and Host of the "Ask Fr. Josh" Podcast
"The majesty of God is mirrored in the diversity of His saints. I can't wait to read this book to my daughter so she knows them and Him better."
LEAH LIBRESCO SARGEANT, Author of Arriving at Amen and Building the Benedict Option
"Meg has done the incredible: she has made the Catholic saints that we know and love (and many that we are just meeting for the first time) more accessible, warm, human, and well … just like us! Coupled with the beautiful art from Lindsey Sanders showing the diversity of God's wondrous creation, Meg reminds us all that we are called to sainthood … no matter the bumps in the road we experience along the way."
KARIANNA FREY, Educator, Speaker, and Author of The Virtuous Path: A Daily Examination of Conscience Journal for Kids
--Endorsements
"Growing up Hindu in a small, somewhat rural town, even after my conversion, it never dawned on me that there were saints of the Church who resembled my own family. With this incredible new book from Meg Hunter-Kilmer, illustrated so stunningly by Lindsey Sanders, my children can grow up knowing that the family of God resembles their own diverse family in every way, and in every generation. Written in a first-person narrative, we can get to know these saints from around the world with the intimacy of a real-life friend, here and now. What a gift this collection of stories is! Truth be told, while it will be read to my children, I want to keep a copy for myself as well."
RAKHI MCCORMICK, Owner, Creative, and Writer at Rakstar Designs
"What joy for the universal Church to have diverse saints from all ages, stages, and walks of life―and what a gift for our children to celebrate the inspiration of women, men, and children who give such strong examples of faith! Saints Around the World is a lively and vivid introduction to saints and blesseds throughout history and around the globe. As we encourage children to follow God's unique call for their lives, what better companions for their journey than the holy people who have served God and others in both ordinary and unforgettable ways? Meg Hunter-Kilmer and Lindsey Sanders have created a treasure with this collection that will help families to pray and learn together for years to come."
LAURA KELLY FANUCCI, Author of Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting
"This book is a joy to read. You'll be meeting a lot of new heavenly friends and intercessors for the first time, and learning an essential lesson in the process: no matter when or where you're from, there's no reason not to become a saint yourself!"
FR. CASSIDY STINSON, Priest of the Diocese of Richmond
"What Bl. Carlo Acutis did in bringing Eucharistic miracles to our attention through a compilation of stories, people, places, and events, Meg Hunter-Kilmer is doing with the saints! Her research and relatable reflections, accompanied by the beautiful watercolor artwork of Lindsey Sanders, make learning about and praying with the blesseds and saints a joyful glimpse of Heaven while also being grounded by their humanity on earth. Meg brings to light the God-given diversity of cultures, abilities, temperaments, ages, and backgrounds of each person and shows us that, no matter our circumstances, it's never too early or too late to say 'Yes!' To Jesus."
CHIKA ANYANWU, Catholic Speaker, For Greater Things Ministry
"With captivating storytelling and warm, richly detailed illustrations, Saints Around the World shows a glimpse of the beautiful uniqueness that is the universal call to holiness, sharing saints from all eras, locations, and backgrounds. Among these pages, children will find one hundred holy friends and discover new patrons and prayer warriors, but most importantly will hear the call that they are created to be saints, too! The great care and intentionality given to each inch of this book make it a timeless resource for kids of all ages."
KATIE BOGNER, Teacher, DRE, and Author of Through the Year with Jesus: Gospel Readings and Reflections for Children
"I love this book. It is captivating and engaging, and my squirmy 3-year-old loves to look at the pictures, listen to the stories, and then name her baby dolls after the saints she's just met. Get this book. Get two copies. Because you may not want to share with your kids."
KATIE PREJEAN MCGRADY, Speaker, Author, and Podcast Host
--Endorsements
"If you are a parent, grandparent, godparent, or know a child, you are going to want to get them this book. I think of myself as someone who is familiar with the saints, but there are so many amazing lesser-known saints included in this treasury of holy men and women that I had never heard of before! I guarantee that you and the children in your life will find new friends in heaven while reading these pages, too."
HALEY STEWART, Author of The Grace of Enough
--Endorsements
