Real Moms of Real Saints

Adriana Wolf reviews a book that brings hope to moms experiencing a diverse range of challenges and struggles.

Real Moms of Real Saints

By Colleen Pressprich

Published by Pauline Books & Media

As first catechists seeking to nurture holiness and heroic virtue in their children, mothers striving to live out their vocation will benefit from reading Real Moms of Real Saints by Colleen Pressprich. The testimonies that spring forth from the lives and voices of earthly mothers of saints provide hope in times of doubt and discouragement. Their experiences cross many boundaries and bridge common joys, struggles, and concerns of motherhood, speaking to the hearts and souls of Catholic mothers today. Their powerful stories of perseverance speak to our own lives and inspire us to remain steadfast in our vocation as mothers.

Stories that Illuminate Virtue

Each mother illuminates different virtues through her faith and struggles. Saint Monica is a wonderful example of a mother who prayed without ceasing for the conversion of her son, while continuing to nurture her own faith. Gertrude Smith Rother, mother of Blessed Stanley Rother, embodied a quiet holiness rooted in the ordinary acts of service to her family, a life that made God visible. Martha, mother of Venerable Augustus Tolton, exemplifies strength, courage, sacrifice, and love by remaining faithful amid suffering. She escaped slavery, removed her son from a church school because of discrimination, and supported his pursuit of the priesthood. Through all her trials and suffering, she remained a devout Catholic even after her son’s death.

These vignettes read like short stories, highlighting each mother’s life, virtues, and the lessons her example offers us. Through her own reflection and application these lessons learned, Pressprich invites us to consider how the lives of these mothers echo our own experiences. She encourages mothers to be reflect deeply, allowing us to recognize in each woman’s story a powerful testimony to Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. Ultimately, Real Moms of Real Saints reminds us that holiness is often formed not through extraordinary circumstances, but through faithfully living our vocation in the ordinary circumstances of family life.

Catholic Mom hosted Colleen Pressprich for a 3-week book club; you can find those sessions at the link below:

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Copyright 2026 Adriana Wolf
Images: Canva