St. John Bosco's assumed the form of a large dog and protected him on numerous occasions from bloodthirsty assailants.

St. Frances of Rome's helped her to read at night by the light of his hair.

St. Lydwine's "flew" her to faraway places in the heavens and on earth.

And St. Gemma Galgani's graced her with constant visible companionship for most of her short life.

Everyone has an angel story, or so it seems, but the Catholic Church has some truly spectacular ones, especially those found in the lives and legends of the saints. Beginning in the earliest Christian centuries with Gregory the Great and concluding in the 20th century with one of the Church's newest saints, Padre Pio, Partners in Holiness tells the stories of ten men and women who grew in virtue and holiness with the help of their guardian angels. Sometimes that help was subtle; sometimes it was astonishing.

In this revised and expanded edition, written in a style accessible to readers of all ages, these accounts bring to life the times and places in which these remarkable encounters occurred. At the heart of every story, however, is the same timeless message: the friendship of a guardian angel is not reserved for canonized saints, but is a gift to each of us, saint or sinner.

Woven throughout the book are Catholic teachings and anecdotes about the angels. Whether your interest is angelology, hagiography, history, theology, or simply an inspiring read, Partners in Holiness satisfies on many levels.