My Life With the Saints

By: James Martin SJ

Narrated by: James Martin SJ

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Be inspired by saints like never before in My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ. This best-selling memoir of spiritual self-discovery is an homage to the saints who have accompanied Fr. Martin throughout his life. From a lukewarm childhood Catholicism, to the Wharton School of Business, to the executive fast track at General Electric, to the Jesuits, to a media career in Manhattan, Martin has relied on the saints to intervene in and guide his life.

As Martin shares with us his many surprising encounters and journeys with the saints, he convincingly explains how we, too, can be close friends with the saints.

©2006 James Martin, SJ (P)2009 St. Anthony Messenger Press

Critic reviews

"Martin, a Jesuit priest and associate editor of America magazine, takes a splendid idea and develops it masterfully by weaving stories from his life into those of his favorite saints." ( Publishers Weekly)

"It is one thing to read the lives of the saints, quite another to hear about somebody who lives with the saints, who thinks about, researches, and calls upon certain saints regularly. Such a person is, today, a rarity. Such a person is GE-exec-turned-Jesuit Martin, associate editor of the national Catholic weekly America, who details his introduction to and relationship with more than a dozen of his favorite haloed heroes in this book." ( Booklist)

Engaging, Informative, Inspiring

What made the experience of listening to My Life With the Saints the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the approach taken when writing this book. It wasn't just another dry, biographical depiction of saints with a new person covered with each chapter. Father Martin gives a solid 'cliff notes' biography of each person with several anecdotes added for flavor; but the book was enhanced with his stories how he came to know about each of these saints & what role they played in his life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

A favorite character doesn't apply for me in this case; but Father Martin's presentation has prompted me to further explore the lives of a couple of these men & women I wasn't that familiar with.

Have you listened to any of James Martin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to James Martin before; but his narration was very engaging.

Any additional comments?

The key word would be 'relational'. I often forget that even though these people are saints (yes some he talks about are not cannonized), they had faults & vices just like all of us. There are many more saints out there to explore & ask for intercession when we need it. I think we have a lot more in common with these people than what we realize.

Does not disappoint; very accessible

I am not Catholic but enjoyed Martin's take on things, which is consistent with my experience with Jesuit spirituality. The different Saints provide the reader with a sort of buffet. Don't expect to be equally moved by all due to the diversity, but definitely worth my time.

Wonderful, Engaging and Personal

Where does My Life With the Saints rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of best spiritual audiobooks I have listened to. Highly recommend if you enjoy learning about the Catholic Saints, but in a very personal style.

Basic, loving, sincere

A wonderful account of life as a person, Jesuit, and who knows, some day Saint. I enjoyed the tone of love and simplicity.

The title says it all!

Loved the book because the author wove the story of the saint to today's life and experiences of the author and us the listener. I didn't want it to end. In fact I found myself listening to some chapters several times.

Such a great book!

Would you listen to My Life With the Saints again? Why?

Yes, I would definitely listen to this book again. There are so many little gems about the saints and their lives and examples of how you can use their experiences to help you in your own life. It was so jammed packed I want to listen to it over and over again and take notes. I loved it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Life With the Saints?

There wasn't really just one memorable moment in this book. Each chapter dove into another Saint. Each time I turned the book on I was taken into their world and given a preview of them and their lives. I was also on James Martins personal journey as he met each saint not unlike you would meet a new friend and create a relationship with them.

Any additional comments?

I am currently going through the RCIA program at my Catholic church and am going to be baptized this Easter Vigil. During my class I was told that I could choose a saint to be named after for my confirmation. I knew about saints but felt like there where thousands to choose from and didn't know where to start.

I found this book and it was such a blessing. It taught me about a whole slew of saints. It also got me excited to keep learning about more saints and see how I can live better through their experiences.

I loved this book and can't wait to read it again to find things that I missed.

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

I gave this Audiobook five stars in every category. I wish I could give it 10 stars! Unlike other audiobooks, this audiobook was narrated by the actual author . He made this book come to life! The Saints, I am not a Catholic but I was so moved by this book that I’ve listen to it twice already! He delivers this with great feeling. It comes from his heart. I feel so attracted to praying with the Saints, deepening my relationship with God and exploring what more I can do in this world for Christ and others. This book is awesome! I would recommend it to any who want to deepen their relationship with Christ, learn more about the Saints, and discover how to be a modern day saint in our world today. God bless you!

Father Jim does it again!

This is the third Audible book I have listened to by James Martin. I am older, homebound, and a recent convert to Catholicism. I find the style of writing and the information the author provides interesting and informative, and have followed the trail of references to other worthwhile books. Unfailingly interesting, I also find Father Jim's books uplifting but not sentimental. The solid core of unflinching reality as well as reason, garnished by endless compassion, makes his books important to me on many levels. While engaging my intellect and deep interest in Catholic theology, my faith is strengthened, and, through his insights and experiences, I find hope. I look forward to our next encounter, and thank James Martin for the gift he shares.

My Life with the Saints

This book was a real winner with the Adult Faith Formation Class that I led. It was not only interesting but very informative. All the of us highly recommend this book and the study guide that goes with it!

Another good book from Father Martin.

I’ll say upfront, if you’ve read A Jesuit Guide and Between Heaven and Mirth, he’s covering a lot of the same territory. But there were enough unique stories and insights that I think it was worth reading if you like him.