Praise for All the Pope’s Saints
“Inviting, accessible, thoughtful, provocative, and inspiring, Sean Salai’s new book is a fine compendium of the lives of the Jesuit saints who shaped Pope Francis, and millions of others, in the almost five centuries since the founding of the Society of Jesus.”
— Fr. James Martin, S.J., author of My Life with the Saints
“The wisdom of St. Ignatius and the witness of his most faithful followers are treasures that have inspired Catholics for centuries. In this fresh and timely new look at the heritage that shaped Pope Francis, Sean Salai introduces us to six Ignatian virtues that transformed the lives of the Jesuit saints — and have the power to do the same for us today.”
— Colleen Carroll Campbell, author of My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir and The New Faithful: Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy
“This book offers fresh, new insight into one of the most intriguing public figures of our time. By giving us intimate looks into the lives of the men and women whom Pope Francis admires most, we walk away with a deeper understanding of Pope Francis himself.”
— Jennifer Fulwiler, Catholic radio host and writer
“All the Pope’s Saints is a welcome addition to books about the first Jesuit pope. By reflecting on different virtues and how they are embodied in Jesuit saints and others who knew them, Salai helps us appreciate the spirituality in which they and Pope Francis were formed.”
— Fr. James Kubicki, S.J., national director of the Apostleship of Prayer
“There is no question that Pope Francis loves the saints and admires especially his fellow Jesuits who have been proclaimed saints throughout the ages. They are his guides and mentors who have inspired him along his own journey. I highly recommend Sean Salai’s book that offers some unique insights into the mind and heart of this Jesuit Bishop of Rome and introduces us to some of the pope’s best friends.”
— Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., English-language media attaché of the Holy See Press Office and CEO of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
“What does Pope Francis think? How does he pray? What is the spirituality that formed him? Good questions all, but now that we find ourselves living in the era of ‘fake news,’ we dare not trust the online sources to answer these questions. That’s why this book is so valuable. All the Pope’s Saints gives us an insight into the mind, the heart, the prayer, and the spirituality of our beloved pope so that we can be better disciples of Christ ourselves.”
— Bishop David Konderla, Diocese of Tulsa
“My favorite order in the priesthood is the Jesuits. They are a dedicated group who truly represent what the Church is about, and as a writer I can appreciate Salai’s work and dedication. It’s clear he represents the best of the Jesuits.”
— William Riead, writer-producer-director of The Letters: The Untold Story of Mother Teresa
All the Pope’s Saints
The Jesuits Who Shaped Pope Francis
Sean Salai, S.J.
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November 14, 2016
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Scripture selections taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by license of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
The English translation of Non-Biblical Readings from The Liturgy of the Hours © 1973, 1974, 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2017 by the U.S.A. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus. Published 2017.
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About the Author
Sean Salai, S.J., is a Jesuit and special contributor at America magazine. He holds an M.Div. from Santa Clara University, an M.A. in Applied Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, and a B.A. in History from Wabash College. Before entering the Society of Jesus in 2005, he worked as a newspaper reporter.
Acknowledgments and Dedication
Since no one can write today about Catholic saints, and particularly about Jesuit saints, without relying on someone else’s research, I’d like to acknowledge some major sources I’ve used to write this book. First, I consulted Jesuit Saints and Martyrs, by Fr. Joseph Tylenda, S.J., for most of my biographical details and dates. Second, I used the Supplement to the Divine Office of the Society of Jesus for additional biographical information as well as to quote excerpts from saints’ writings that appear there as the second reading for Matins (Office of Readings) in the Liturgy of the Hours for their feast days. Third, I used Hearts