The first edition of this book came out in 1975 edited by the late Fr. Leonard Foley, O.F.M. and now has been revised and updated for the sixth time by Fr. Patrick McCloskey, O.F.M. (St. Anthony Messenger Press. 408 pages. Paperback. ISBN 978-0-86716-887-7. $19.95. September 2009.) This is not a book that presents a saint or a blessed for every day of the year and there are days that have more than one saint or blessed presented. The saints are presented according to the revised calendar approved by Pope John Paul II. The only mistake I could find it the book was that Blessed John XXIII’s feast is assigned the date of June 3 when it is actually on October 11.
The entries in the book for the saints start with the date, the saint’s name and what profession he or she was and their dates. Then a short biography is given followed by a short commentary and a quote by the saint or by someone else regarding the saint. These entries are a page and half to two pages long. There is a table of contents arranged by month and there is an index at the end of the book.
This book includes saints and blessed that most people are familiar with like Mary, the Mother of God, St. Joseph, St. Benedict, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Therese, St. Gregory the Great, and many others. New saints and blessed have been added to this edition like Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Blessed John XXIII, St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, and others.
More saints and blessed could have been found to be placed on the days that this book leave empty. Maybe the seventh edition will have a saint or blessed for each day of the year. Despite these lacunae, what is presented in this current edition is very good and highly readable. The biographies, comments, and quotes are very inspiring and informative. This book is highly recommended to those interested in a down to earth book about some of the saints and blesseds.
