4 comments on “Maria Johnson’s My Badass Book of Saints is on sale! Get it for $11. Details here!”

1. Vicki says:

   October 18, 2015 at 4:21 pm

   Sorry — the title’s a complete turnoff. Really tired of Catholics trying to sound “cool” like the culture.

   1. Pat says:

      October 18, 2015 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks for leaving your comment, Vicki. I completely understand your point of view, and I respect it. First, it is never my intention to offend any of my listeners or readers. My work is all about encouraging the Catholic faith. Your comment allows me to share why I can support this book, and even promote it.

      Second, I’ve read the book more than once. I even agreed to write the book’s foreword in support of the author, and what the book might accomplish. I do not share resources here or on my podcast without first vetting them. Or if I have not vetted them, I leave some sort of disclaimer to that effect, but that’s a very rare occurrence here.

      Finally, I’m committed to shining light on different kinds of books and resources in support of the new evangelization. St Paul himself used a variety of methods to reach more souls for the Kingdom. St Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9: 18-23: “… in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law — though not being myself under the law — that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law — not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ — that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

      I think St Paul is saying that he used whatever tools were at his disposal to reach different groups with the message of Christ. In the same way, there are book titles that Catholic publishers use to reach different potential readers. As an author myself, I understand that a title for a book is a tricky thing to come up with. Most authors who are published by publishing houses do not have a say in the title — it is, contractually, the realm of the publisher’s marketing team who are targeting a certain audience for the book.

      With all that in mind, I do think the title will reach an audience that may never read a book that discusses saints and their stories.

      Thanks again, Vicky, for being a reader here.

2. Vicki says:

   October 27, 2015 at 12:38 pm

   The thanks go to you, Pat — for your thoughtful response, your lovely writings, and your podcasts (the time and effort you put into each and every one of them, despite your already full schedule, are so appreciated). I will take a second look at the book, and I hope any others who might have had my initial reaction will too. God bless you and all you do. — Vicki

   1. Pat says:

      October 27, 2015 at 5:14 pm

      Thanks for taking time to write back, Vicki! I so appreciate it! Thanks for the kind words! Let us pray for one another!

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