Saints as Great Friends
"Great Saints Great Friends" by Mary Neill, O.P., and Ronda Chervin, is a book on the lives of 11 Saints. Like Segundo Galilea in his book, "The Friendship of God", Neill and Chervin sees the Saints as sources of spiritual friendship in the interior life. The Saints author Segundo Galilea features in his book are:
St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Catherine of Siena,
Julian of Norwich,
St. Thomas More,
St. Ignatius of Loyola,
St. Francis Xavier,
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. John of the Cross,
St. Rose of Lima,
the Priest of Ars (John Vianney),
Cardinal John Newman,
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,
St. Therese of Lisieux,
and Sts. Cecilia, Agatha, Agnes and Lucy.
Neill and Chervin, like Galilea, also write on
St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Catherine of Siena,
St. Thomas More,
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. John of the Cross,
and St. Therese of Lisieux.
The five other saints the two authors include, but which Segundo Galilea did not have in his selection are:
St. Paul the Apostle,
St. Thomas Aquinas,
St. Joan of Arc,
St. Bernadette of Lourdes
and St. Elizabeth Seton.
Segundo Galilea
In his book, Galilea's focus is not on the Saints themselves, but as an added feature and concluding section to his major topic, "The Friendship of God: Christianity as Friendship". Galilea presented a spirituality of friendship in the Christian faith, with human friendship as a window to see God's friendship with His people. The Saints Galilea selects in this book are his favorites, with whom he has special interests and devotions.
Dr. Ronda Chervin and Sr. Mary Neill, O.P.
These two authors divided the chapters of their book with each one writing on Saints they have a special devotion to. Chervin writes on St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Elizabeth Seton. Neill, on the other hand, writes on: St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Joan of Arc, St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette of Lourdes and St. Therese of Liseiux. Both authors have written well by showing how the Saints are not only holy, but human. It is their ardent commitment to Christ that has raised the level of their prayer and way of life to heights beyond the average Christian. These Saints are described by the two authors as "God Seekers", for they have sought the Lord with their whole mind, heart, soul and strength. It is by their perseverance in faith that they were able to create a profound impact on countless generations of men and women.
Presentation of each Saint's life and work:
Each chapter written by Chervin and Neill contains a brief description of each saint's life story. The description is then followed by a discussion on how each Saint's life influenced the modern believer. Both authors are able to capture the minds of the modern believer by their own journeys in life. Dr. Ronda Chervin is a wife, mother, professor, author and international lecturer. Sr. Mary Neill, OP, is a professor, workshop director, lecturer and co-director of Inner Explorations.
Excellent spiritual reading
Aside from the Scriptures, the lives of the Saints and other spiritual content reading help to reground one's state of life in what is truly important. Refocusing and recentering one's life in God is very important in a world that has a lot of distractions. Spiritual reading is the key to regain one's center in God. These two books by Neill and Chervin, and by Galilea will remind any soul that his relationship with God and the Church is a sure guide to what is important in one's life and work.
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