A good myth book of saints?

[4_Legs_Good]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone know about a good book about Saints which is not necessarily based in reality and does not apologize for "inaccuracies" or possible apocryphal stories? I'm looking for a collection of fantastic type stories of the saints. I don't really care if they actually happened or not and can be verified. I know there's tons of saint myths out there, and you get whiffs of them when you read some recent publications, but you don't get the whole story.

I want St. George slaying the dragon, St. Francis with the wolves, etc.

Any tips?

david

[DemBones DemBones]

1. Is the book for you or for your child?

I only have one complete book on the saints but have read several others. I enjoy the myths myself; they give a picture of how people's thinking was different in ages past. My favorite obscure saint is St. Christina the Astonishing. How can you not love that name? ;-)

When I was on our parish RCIA team, I developed a program about the saints to acquaint those in the process of converting with some of the best-known saints so I did a fair bit of research for that, but it was long ago. The book I have is "Butler's Lives of the Saints" which is an update of a book published in the 1800s, I think.

Maeve no doubt has some ideas about books on Irish saints and I hope she and others will check in on this. I'd suggest looking at the public library but first check your parish library if there is one. Also, local Christian bookstore if they carry Catholic books. Online, there are many sources, but it's nice to look at this sort of book first, isn't it? Especially if it's for your son, to make sure it's not too gory (St. Lucy, St. Agatha, et. al.)

[4_Legs_Good]

3. I have a nice copy of Butler's...

but I've found it to be pretty light on the myths, at least on just presenting them rather than analyzing them for their relation to reality., e.g. it might say "one myth says that St. XYX created bread from stones - likely it is meant to describe the shortage of baked goods in the town of GGGGEG around the turn of the 9th century when Emperor UUUGG banned the use of pastries and cofectioner's sugar was imported by various illegal means. Thus St. XYX probably was among those who smuggled in holy powdered sugar from the neighboring towns."

St. Christina the Astonishing sounds very cool. :) :) :)

As far as who it's for, I'd say it's a split. I'd like to find some good stories to tell the kids, but I'm also interested for myself too. I've always loved Christian mythology; that's one of the great parts about being Catholic and part of a tradition that's 2,000 years old.

Thanks again!

david

[DemBones DemBones]

5. St. Christina lived in the 11th or 12th century in Sweden,

performed many miracles during her lifetime, and, during her funeral Mass, levitated to the ceiling of the church! Not a bad trick, eh? ;-)

[tjwmason]

2. The Golden Legend

FamousLy (and potentiaLLy apocryphaLLy) the second most read book in mediaevaL times. It recounts aLL of the Legends with not the sLightest care about reaLity and is a most wonderfuL read.

[4_Legs_Good]

4. Ahhh, perfect!

Thanks!!

Edit: Do you know of a good, lavish, illustrated, hardcover edition? I don't care if it's in print or not, I'll try to track it down. I love finding old books... :)

david

[tjwmason]

6. I know that there is an edition in print

At Least in the U.K. but it is soft-back. There shouLd be pLenty of editions around. F.Y.I. the Latin titLe is Legenda Aurea and it was written by Jacopo de Voragine.

[drkedjr]

7. A good myth

book will be the telling of JPII's swift sainthood. Can't wait to read that one and all the miracles, gaybashing, women-hating stuff to be told. It just can't come around too soon. Amazon - here we come ....

[4_Legs_Good]

8. LMAO

Heh heh heh...

david