Finding God in Their Turning Points — and Mine

Lisa Henley Jones reflects on how Turning Points reveals the very human struggles of saints, inspiring readers to pursue holiness in their own lives. 

Turning Points: How Thirteen Remarkable Men and Women Heard God’s Call and Responded to It

By Russell Shaw

Published by Ignatius Press

I’ve grown to enjoy learning about how saints became holy or lived their holiness. My preferred books about their lives move beyond the saccharine biographies that gloss over any difficulties or struggles they encountered. After all, most weren’t born holy. They were flawed humans just like the rest of us who, at some point in their lives, turned towards Christ and lived as we are all called to be holy. I want to learn how they became holy and the details of how they lived that holiness in their daily lives so I can continue on my journey towards heaven. 

Turning Points: How Thirteen Remarkable Men and Women Heard God’s Call and Responded to It by Russell Shaw, published by Ignatius Press, explores the question of what defined or transformed the lives of thirteen holy individuals, drawing them closer to Christ and orienting them to live a life of holiness.   

The author, Shaw, uses individual chapters to provide a portrait of a saint or holy man or woman. Some of the individuals’ stories were well known to me, such as those of Saint Augustine of Hippo and St. Thérèse of Lisieux; some were completely unknown, like those of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre and Caryll Houselander, but most fell somewhere in the middle.    

The author provides a highlight or focuses on stories or events that help us see how each person grew closer to Christ in that event. In these turning points, I can see something that helps me on my journey of faith, even in the saints with whom I felt we had nothing in common. This, in turn, feeds my hunger to grow closer to Christ.  

More Than a Collective Biography 

The information in each chapter isn’t merely a biographical storytelling. What made this book different than other books about a collection of saints was the focus on specific details or a part of the life of the holy person. You’re given a biographical summary, but then the author, through research, historical context, and even quotes from the person themselves or people who knew them, provides a well-developed picture of each holy person and what led to their growth in sanctity.   

The first chapter presents a saint whose story is known to most of us, Saint Paul. I wondered how Shaw would tell Saint Paul’s turning point and if he could share his conversion on the road to Damascus in a way that revealed something new to me.   

I won’t spoil the content of the first chapter, except to say I was pleasantly surprised. The way the author highlighted details in the story brought connections to light for me and left me with things to reflect on during my prayer time.   

As I read through each chapter, I found Shaw made a thought-provoking connection with the story of each holy man or woman that kept me learning not only about the person, but about myself as well.  

Suggestions for Reading

When you read this book, I offer the following suggestion to enhance your experience of this book. Take the time after reading each chapter to journal the reflections that the turning point brings out in you. I found connections with the turning points of each holy person. Some were surprising –– I thought I knew their story well enough to breeze through the chapter, but the author made a connection that spoke to my heart in an unexpected way. These “turning points” helped me identify ways I might be on the right or wrong path as I journey through life toward heaven.   

If you read saint stories to understand what led them to lead a life of greater sanctity, you should read this book. If you think saints are “too perfect” and fail to see how their lives connect to your own, you should read this book.   

After reading Turning Points, I believe you will have a greater understanding of how you can choose to grow in holiness at a time of difficulty or struggle. And you will make at least one new holy “friend” to help guide you in your journey of faith. We are all called to holiness, and we have much to learn from the holy men and women who came before us.  

Has a saint’s story helped you see that holiness is possible in your own life, and what lesson from their journey speaks to your heart today? 

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Copyright 2025 Lisa Henley Jones
Images: Canva