Before long drink had become the primary focus of his life. All the wages he earned . . . went to support his addiction.

Margaret Anna Cusack, a Poor Clare in Ireland, became widely known as “the Nun of Kenmare” for her prophetic writings on issues of her day.

Over time Mary received many such mystical experiences, some ecstatic and others accompanied by deep suffering.

Very quickly, Felix acquired a reputation for holiness. Even members of his community referred to him as “the saint.”

Our challenge, Percy believed, was to recover our true humanity, to break loose from abstractions and ideologies, and “re-enter the lovely, ordinary world.”

Her husband became increasingly impressed by her courage and equanimity, realizing that she drew this strength from her faith.

Doctor of the Church (1347–1380)

Inspired by a series of visions, she interceded in court to allow representatives of the Teresian reformed Carmelites to enter France.

From his early life Lucien had wished to be a good Christian. But he felt called to strive for holiness.

In his early theology Bonhoeffer had written about the “cost of discipleship” and the need to reject “cheap grace”— “the grace we confer on ourselves.”