The saints were the original social justice advocates. This stunning collection of contemporary portraits celebrates their diversity and spiritual depth as never before, accompanied by thoughtful reflections from bestselling and influential writers. “This book is profound, insightful, and beautifully disruptive.”—Sarah Bessey, author of the New York Times bestsellers A Rhythm of Prayer and Jesus Feminist Over the centuries, the rich diversity and relevance of the saints has been whitewashed, their images portrayed as expressionless, and the lessons of their lives watered down. But artist, writer, and modern iconographer Gracie Morbitzer is painting the truth. The Modern Saints is a celebration of the divergence of ethnicities, ages, abilities, and practices of spiritual pilgrims who transformed the world, and an invitation to connect with historical icons whose lives have astonishing and inspiring relevance for our present-day. Each entry of this striking collection features a contemporary image of the saint, a re-imagining of the space they might hold in society today, and an inspiring prayer to honor each figure. Readers will appreciate each contribution from our current generation's spiritual thought leaders that illuminate the impact and wisdom each historical saint offers us today. Among forty-eight additional spiritual reflections and original paintings, The Modern Saints presents: • Fr. James Martin’s reflections on the flexibility of St. Ignatius of Loyola to encounter God in everyday life • Tsh Oxenreider's unique appreciation for the endurance of St. Monica with her strong-willed children • Dr. Christena Cleveland's praise for St. Catherine of Alexandria ’s fight for intersectional justice • Kirby Hoberg’s inspiration from the resilience of St. Kateri —the first indigenous American to be canonized—who overcame personal humiliation to cultivate love in her community With its unique portraits and compelling narrative, this 52-week collection is perfect for devotional reading, as it will move, encourage, and strengthen each reader as they find solidarity and profound belonging within the host of saints. “I’ve had several of Gracie Morbitzer’s icons hanging in my writing room over the years. Her work to reclaim the saints of our stories as the diverse prophets and holy ancestors they always were has sparked new conversations, old rememberings, and paths of flourishing for so many of us. This book is profound, insightful, and beautifully disruptive.” —Sarah Bessey, author of the New York Times bestsellers A Rhythm of Prayer and Jesus Feminist Gracie Morbitzer is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design. In addition to writing and creating various pieces of art, Gracie regularly speaks at universities, conferences, and workshops. Feast: January 1 Marian Devotion The short story—Mary’s title “The New Eve” is one of the oldest we have for her, signifying her necessary participation in the story of Jesus’s redemption. In the second century, St. Justin Martyr was one of the first to draw the parallel between Mary and Eve, just as one is drawn between Jesus and Adam. St. Irenaeus also wrote of this parallel, comparing Eve’s disobedience to Mary’s obedience, and Mary’s faith to Eve’s lack of it. Tertullian later continued this idea, comparing Mary’s belief in an angel to Eve’s belief in the serpent, and saying that Eve gave birth to a son who would kill, while Mary gave birth to one who would be killed. St. Jerome in the fourth century simply wrote that death came through Eve while life came through Mary. St. Augustine also used this title “The New Eve” to prove that both male and female bodies are pleasing to God because Mary’s divine role was just as necessary as Jesus’s. Symbolism around Eve often involves lush, fertile fruits of the garden, and though she and Adam brought death and Original Sin, Mary reclaimed that fertility and lushness of life for us. by morgan strehlow The liminality between Eden and Bethlehem leaves me with a delicate belief that often feels like holding faith in one hand and doubt in the other. My curiosities are big and my hunger for knowledge is great, but the answers I have been given are more mysterious than they are mitigating. I make a pretty good devil’s advocate if I say so myself. Did God really say that? (Gen. 3:1 NIV) I often wonder how Eve must have felt, on her knees outside of the garden, desperately grasping for the only home she had ever had, unknowingly striving for something she would never again touch or taste. I wonder how long she might have hovered there at the gates of Eden, begging God for all to be made good again, to be made right, to be made perfect. I wonder what it was like to feel shame, regret, sadness, and fear for the very first time. I wonder what happened between Genesis 3 and Genesis 4—in between the garden and Eve’s new life as mother of all the living. Did the memory of what had once been very