The Rock from Which You Were Hewn: The Lives and Legacy of Holy Irish Men and Women

Caitrin Bennett reviews a new collective biography of holy Irish men and women at various stages of the journey toward canonization. 

The Rock from Which You Were Hewn: The Lives and Legacy of Holy Irish Men and Women

By Dr. Patrick Kenny and Father John Hogan

Publisher: Ignatius Press

Future Irish Saints? 

As I write this article on the feast of Saint Patrick, I reflect on his legacy. Patrick travelled around pagan Ireland and transformed it into a bastion of Catholicism. My own family proudly traces our Catholic roots back to the Emerald Isle. But did you know that only one native-born Irish person has been fully canonized in the past 500 years? 

Thankfully, there are many holy Irish men and women on the path to full canonization: Blesseds, Venerables, Servants of God, and even those who currently have just a reputation for holiness but no formal canonization cause. The authors of The Rock from Which You Were Hewn have published short biographies of all of these individuals together in one volume. They hoped their readers would discover some wonderful new role-models in the faith, and that some of their holy subjects’ causes may even be furthered by this publicity. It is a novel and brilliant idea that I would love to see replicated in the future for canonization causes coming out of many other countries! 

New Friends in Heaven 

Whether or not you have Irish ancestry, you will find a new friend or two in heaven when you read this book. These holy people span the centuries, from Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy, a priest who died as Columbus sailed the ocean blue (1492), right up to Mary Ann Gemma O’Driscoll, a lay missionary woman who died just a decade ago (2015). While Dame Judy Coyne, the biggest developer of the Knock pilgrimage site, lived to be 98, sweet Ellen Organ (“Little Nellie of Holy God”) never saw her fifth birthday. Some of these holy people were martyred, some died naturally after a life of heroic virtue, and some fit into a newly described third category as “martyrs of charity.” John McGuinness, for example, died of malnutrition in 1947 though he made a very adequate salary because he gave so much of what he had to the poor and deprived himself of so much. 

I especially loved reading about Venerable Patrick Peyton, founder of Family Rosary, which today brings us this Catholic Mom blog! Father Peyton was a true champion of the Rosary and the strong nuclear family, and he effectively used media to spread his causes. His remarkable story also includes a miraculous healing from tuberculosis after pleading for Our Lady’s intercession.

Servant of God William Doyle also “sought me out” as a new friend as I read this volume. I will never forget reading about how this humble and jolly WWI chaplain shared all the trials of the soldiers to whom he ministered in the rat-plagued, muddy trenches, and still wondered, “Is there a happier man in France than I am?” 

Reading this book has made me so proud to be an Irish Catholic. I pray that it blesses many more readers of all nationalities with new heavenly Irish friends, and that many of these holy men and women move forward in their earthly causes soon! 

Ask for The Rock from Which You Were Hewn at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Ignatius Press.

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Caitrin Bennett
Images: Canva