While not a comprehensive list of all saints, the Oxford Dictionary of Saints, published and printed in 2003, provides a focused reference for common saints from the age of Christ up to present day. This 5th addition single volume reference was written by a solitary author, David Hugh Farmer, formerly the Reader in History from the University of Reading. Published by Oxford University Press, one can be assured that its contents are from reliable sources. This volume was reissued in print in 2004 with a redesigned cover.
Farmer outlines the criteria for inclusion and exclusion of individuals early in his introduction with a clearly stated purpose. This work's scope is mostly Roman and British saints, representative Irish, Welsh and Scottish saints, as well as some recently canonized saints from North and South America, the Far East, Lebanon, Poland, and Latvia, are included. This reference disregards Venerables and Blessed. The introduction clearly describes these various categories and how they are determined by the church. Farmer reports that this edition varies significantly from the 4th edition (1997) by new factors including saints canonized by Pope John Paul II, previously blocked causes, and additional information from the recently published Roman Martyrology (2001) and Index ac Status Causarum (1999) emanating from the Vatican Press.
This work includes roughly 1400 entries. They are alphabetically organized, using guide words in the page headers, bolded typefaces for entries, and reference notes to other aliases for a more comprehensive reference. Each entry is followed by other common names and/or spellings and a known or approximated date of birth and death . Each saint is described in essay format appearing to have a roughly chronological outline. Descriptions range from single sentences to a page in length based on available information. Contents include, but are not limited to, remarkable deeds or miracles, circumstances... [continues]
Farmer outlines the criteria for inclusion and exclusion of individuals early in his introduction with a clearly stated purpose. This work's scope is mostly Roman and British saints, representative Irish, Welsh and Scottish saints, as well as some recently canonized saints from North and South America, the Far East, Lebanon, Poland, and Latvia, are included. This reference disregards Venerables and Blessed. The introduction clearly describes these various categories and how they are determined by the church. Farmer reports that this edition varies significantly from the 4th edition (1997) by new factors including saints canonized by Pope John Paul II, previously blocked causes, and additional information from the recently published Roman Martyrology (2001) and Index ac Status Causarum (1999) emanating from the Vatican Press.
This work includes roughly 1400 entries. They are alphabetically organized, using guide words in the page headers, bolded typefaces for entries, and reference notes to other aliases for a more comprehensive reference. Each entry is followed by other common names and/or spellings and a known or approximated date of birth and death . Each saint is described in essay format appearing to have a roughly chronological outline. Descriptions range from single sentences to a page in length based on available information. Contents include, but are not limited to, remarkable deeds or miracles, circumstances... [continues]
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