Over the weekend I devoured My Sisters the Saints by Colleen Carroll Campbell. I’d planned to read a chapter or two, but I couldn’t stop there–I had to keep going until I got to the end of this memoir.

When I read the “about the author” information on Colleen Carroll Campbell, I was immediately intimidated. She’s famous! She was a presidential speechwriter! She’s been on TV! She reported on the conclave! How can I possibly relate to someone as together as that?

I’m glad I didn’t let that put me off, because only a few pages in, I knew I definitely could relate to the author. A few chapters in, I was in tears.

The author gets to the heart of her devotion to certain saints and makes them accessible to the reader with her awareness of how sainthood is often viewed as synonymous with “perfect in every way.” Stories of the saints whose lives have inspired and guided Colleen Carroll Campbell’s are interwoven with Campbell’s own life story.

I found this memoir honest, heartbreaking and inspiring all at once. And I was reminded that “together on the outside” does not always translate to “together on the inside.” For someone like me, who is simultaneously judgemental towards and intimidated by people who seem like they’ve got it all figured out, this was a huge comfort.

CatholicMom.com is hosting a book club based on My Sisters the Saints. You can participate even if you haven’t read the book yet (but I encourage you to make time for this book–it’s that good.) The book club began on Saturday with an author interview and will continue each Saturday through February 21 with chapter-by-chapter reflections. The book club’s main page will carry links to each chapter’s reflection as it is posted. Read the reflections and add your comments to the conversation.

(Shameless self-promotion:  I’m scheduled for February 21, where I’ll be discussing the chapter that features my favorite prayer EVER. Hint:  Memorare UP!)

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