A lot of people are inclined to think of the saints as remote figures in the distant past or as fanatical cranks or as amiable "do-gooders" with not much relation to our everyday world. By examining the lives of characteristic saints and by showing how they embody in their different ways the reality of holiness this book makes it clear that the saints in all their diversity were and are richly human and individual. Honoured by the Church from its earliest days, the saints are venerated by Catholics who ask for their prayers and help: what exactly this means is also explained in this book, as are the safeguards set up by the Church to prevent pious legend being substituted for the facts, the scrupulous and incredibly detailed enquiries that precede the official recognition of saints, and the distinctively Christian nature of their holiness in comparison with the holy men of other religions.