My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ

“The Saints are given to us as patrons and companions. James Martin tells us how they have been resources for him in every time of need. In delightful prose he recounts incidents, both perilous and funny, that have prompted him to turn to the saints, and in doing so shows us a new way of living out a devotion that is as old and universal as the church.”
Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ, Fordham University

Beginning January 16 friendly discussion sessions will be offered weekly. Come to all six sessions or just those you can. Each session is repeated four times a week, so you can “mix and match” either location. No registration is required. For more information please call the Saint Clement Rectory at 216-226-5116 or Saint James Parish Center at 216-712-6755.

Week 1 Read Chapters 1 – 4
  • Saturday, January 16 – 9:00am- 10:30am – Saint Clement Rectory
  • Sunday, January 17 – 5:00pm-6:30pm – Saint James Parish Center
  • Tuesday, January 19 – 7:00pm-8:30pm – Saint Clement Parish Hall
  • Wednesday, January 20 – 1:00pm-2:30pm – Saint James Parish Center
Discussion questions for week 1
  1. The first saint mentioned in this book is Jude.  Who was the first saint to whom you felt drawn?  How did you “meet” him or her?  If you have been unfamiliar with the saints until know, which person in My Life with the Saints have you found most appealing so far?
  2. What purpose might the Saints serve in our lives?
  3. Joan of Arc stayed true to her decision to follow God even in the midst of persecution.  Have there been times when your faith put you in conflict with others? How did you deal with this?
  4. Joan’s willingness to be a “fool for Christ” is her primary appeal for many.  What does being a “fool for Christ” mean to you?
  5. Therese of Lisieux discovered her vocation – her calling – at a very young age.  Describe a time you felt called to a particular direction in your life by God.
  6. We sometimes think the saints were naturally holy and believed without question, but Therese endured a time of darkness in her spiritual life that shook her confidence in heaven and the afterlife.  When has your faith wavered in your life?
  7. Like even the holiest persons, Thomas Merton was not perfect and like many saints, he could be disagreeable at times.  Do you think imperfections make a saint less likeable or more accessible?
  8. “Everything, even human differences, leads to the greater good of the Church,” said Pope John XXIII at a gathering of bishops from around the world.  Do you agree with this statement?