Saints at Heart: How Fault-Filled, Problem-Prone, Imperfect People like Us Can Be Holy

‘You’re no saint!’ It’s a familiar phrase, one that nearly all of us probably believe accurately reflects our own hearts and lives. We assume that sanctity is reserved for an elite group of extraordinary people who follow spiritual disciplines so difficult and impractical that no ordinary person could ever perform them. But best-selling author Bert Ghezzi believes every one of us can be holy, and he sets out to show us how in Saints at Heart. By pointing out that all the saints, even the apostles were sinful, he helps us understand how holiness is not about being perfect, but rather about making a heartfelt decision to fall in love with God and put God first. Each of the 10 saints featured in this book illustrates a specific spiritual practice that can help us draw closer to god. St Francis models lifelong conversion; Dorothy Day, prayer and the study of Scripture; and Pope John Paul II, evangelisation. Every chapter ends with a section titled ‘Think, Pray and Act’, which contains questions to help us reflect on the message of the saint’s life and how we might apply that message to our own lives. For anyone who desires to draw close to God but doesn’t think it’s possible, Saints at Heart proves that it is. By following the examples of the imperfect yet god-centred saints before us, we too can be holy if we want. Bert Ghezzi holds a PhD in history and is a popular columnist and speaker, as well as the author of 18 books. He is an acquisitions editor for Our Sunday Visitor.