Facing Adversity with Grace

Book excerpt: What can we learn from the saints about adversity? How did they use their adversity as a means of growth rather than just as something to be endured? In this book, popular Catholic author Woodeene Koenig-Bricker offers an in-depth look at a host of saints and how they dealt with a particular type of suffering in their lives. From each saint we learn valuable lessons about the common trials that come with being human—for example, suffering from physical problems (St. Padre Pio), mental suffering (Blessed Mother Teresa), addictions (Venerable Matthew Talbot), physical disability (St. Alphonsus Liguori), marital discord (St. Rita of Cascia), divorce (St. Helena), prejudice (St. Joseph Bakhita), financial stress (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton), and old age (Blessed John Paul II).