Book Review: Michael McMahon, Saints: the Art, the History, the Inspiration (M Q Publications 2006, 432 pages).

'It is not those that commit the least faults who are most holy, but those who have the greatest courage, the greatest generosity, the greatest love' (St. Francis of Assisi').

First: did you know

* John Bunyan - a kind of Baptist - is an Anglican saint?

* St. Thomas More is not only the patron saint of politicians, but also of public servants?

* Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the patron saints of radiologists (now there's a question for your next trivia night).

The early church referred to all living Christians as 'saints', but soon the term was used only to the dead, those who were outstanding for their holiness, and especially those put to death for their faith.

Richly illustrated, this hand-bag sized book is a beautifully presented visual feast from Renaissance and Medieval manuscripts, mosaics, paintings, sculptures, icons, keepsakes, and contemporary cinema clips. It is very well written and eminently readable... informative, entertaining and devotional. (The editing didn't score 100%: the last book in the New Testament is not 'Revelations' p. 333).

Author Michael McMahon brings a warm, intelligent passion to his subject, and writes an enthralling narrative of unique personalities in this modern classic. Also included are thought-provoking interviews with religious writers and thinkers.

Of course, hagiography - in any religion - is littered with unhistorical nonsense. Some of the Christian saints whose feast days have been celebrated through the centuries never existed; legendary saints such as St Barbara and St Margaret of Antioch had their feasts dropped as they were included by mistake (p. 37). And then, of course, there's other nonsense - like the tradition that if it rains on July 15th (St. Swithin's Day) it will continue to rain for the next 40 days. (Australia should adopt this saint).

Your theological stance determines how you respond to the idea of 'venerating' saints. Within Anglicanism, for example, those at the Protestant end might regard some of them as exemplars; Anglo-Catholics pray to saints as Roman Catholics do.

But whatever your church tradition, martyrdom stories like those of Perpetua and Felicity, and Polycarp are inspirational. Some saints are, to moderns, quite enigmatic: how can Bernard of Clairvaux who called Christian soldiers to arms in the Second Crusade, pen such a gentle mystical classic as The Love of God, and one of the most beautiful hymns ever written - 'Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts'?

The book ends with a short glossary, a list of patron saints, and a very good index. If it's not too late, buy a copy for someone you love for Christmas.

Rowland Croucher

December 2006