Icons of Mercy: The Faith, Friendship, and Legacy of John Paul II and Mother Teresa (Digital)

In every age, God gives his Church special grace to respond to the world’s challenges with love and truth. In every generation, God combats the world’s evils with a more abundant good, raising up holy servants to speak a word that will rouse us.

The last century of human history has been so marked by evil and oppression that God saw fit to give us not one but two special agents of his unfathomable mercy: Pope St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta.

In Icons of Mercy, journalist and papal scholar Patrick Novecosky explores the remarkable careers of these two great saints, chronicling not only their deeds and ideas but the ways in which, by God’s mysterious providence, their life works intertwined and built on each other’s.

It may be tempting to overlook the connection between these two hugely distinct figures: the charismatic, erudite Polish pope whose prolific writings and travels represented Catholicism for three decades, and the diminutive Albanian nun whose mighty deeds were devoted to hidden places where the poorest lived in squalor.

Yet the two were inextricably connected. In their Christ-centered friendship, in their shared zeal for souls, and above all in their witness of God’s light and love in the face of darkness and death, their combined witness changed the world. And their legacy continues to inspire and transform it.

In every age, God sends precisely the saints we need. People don’t always recognize them at first. But the Church canonized these two soon after their deaths. The Church clearly recognized that Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul were created, called, and sent for our particular time. They were declared Saints not just for our admiration, but so we could learn to imitate them in the circumstances of our own lives. This book will inspire you to become the saint God calls you to be. - Dr. Scott Hahn, Founder, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

It’s practically impossible to overestimate the vast influence Pope St. John Paul II exerted on the Catholic Church in particular and the world at large during his twenty-six and a half years as Bishop of Rome. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta also had an incalculable influence that, though in some ways more hidden, was no less far-reaching. In this fascinating new book, Patrick Novecosky traces their parallel lives and ministries in vivid detail, revealing how their deep friendship influenced their respective global missions and helped shape the Catholic experience of the latter half of the twentieth century. - Patrick Madrid, host of the Patrick Madrid Show 

Having had the privilege of meeting both John Paul II and Mother Teresa, I saw firsthand something of the extraordinary faith, courage, and moral clarity that made them such powerful witnesses to the world. In Icons of Mercy, Patrick Novecosky brings these two remarkable saints together in a moving account of their friendship, their shared commitment to human dignity, and their enduring legacy of mercy. Patrick has given us a timely and inspiring book about two lives that changed the world forever. - Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the House

In Icons of Mercy, Patrick Novecosky brings together two of the Church’s most luminous witnesses—St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta—with the insight of a gifted writer and the affection of one who has long walked in their spiritual company. As his friend for many years, I have seen how deeply Patrick’s own faith has been shaped by their love of Christ, their devotion to Our Lady, and their conviction that every human life is an encounter with divine mercy. This beautiful and deeply personal book will help readers not only understand these two saints more fully, but also hear their urgent invitation to become icons of mercy in the world today. - Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Author, Consecration to St. Joseph

Patrick Novecosky has a gift—a talent, as Pope John Paul II might say—for finding fresh and compelling ways to illuminate some of the most inspiring Catholic figures of our time. He demonstrated that gift in 100 Ways John Paul II Changed the World. Now, Patrick turns his attention to two of the greatest Catholic figures of the late twentieth century: John Paul II and Mother Teresa. They were, quite literally, saints in our time—saints among us. We knew them, and they knew one another. In this touching new book, Patrick brings them together in a way no other author has. - Paul Kengor, Author, A Pope and A President

There is no shortage of books on John Paul II and Mother Teresa, but none can compare with this splendid volume that details the fraternal and professional relationship they experienced. These two giants of the latter part of the twentieth century fed off each other in a way that was divinely inspired.

The strength of this book is how Novecosky weaves his narrative, juxtaposing the contributions of his subjects. Both were enormously courageous, speaking truth to power. For the pope, it was his fortitude in fighting totalitarianism; for the saintly nun, it was her resolve in dealing with the consequences of poverty. Both succeeded.

Their love for human dignity, the unborn, and the family shines through. Others shared these commitments, but few did so by commanding the world stage. Saints Teresa of Calcutta and John Paul the Great were very special persons, not just for Catholics but for the whole world. Kudos to Novecosky for telling this story with clarity and precision. - Bill Donohue, Ph.D.President, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights