This book examines how thirteen extraordinary men and women from apostolic times to the present—most of them canonized saints—came to see how God wanted them to organize their lives and, seeing that, set out to shape their lives accordingly.

It adopts a new and illuminating approach to a familiar literary genre—the lives of the saints and what the turning points were in their dedicating themselves to God. Instead of concentrating on the question of vocation, the book situates the thirteen notable men and women in the context of their lives as a whole and profiles them in this broader framework.

Turning Points probes the stories of highly motivated individuals who in a variety of ways committed their lives to wholeheartedly following Christ, and it discusses a number of issues as timely for the Church now as they were then. It is engagingly written for all who are interested in serious religious ideas, as well as in the inspiring stories of thirteen outstanding people whose lives shed fresh light on living the faith in their times—and our own.

Among those whose stories are told are Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint Thomas More, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint John Henry Newman, Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Caryll Houselander, and Dorothy Day.

“What was he really like?’’ people ask. These remembrances answer the question. From different perspectives, it all here: his talent for talking to anyone, regardless of age or background; unwavering loyalty to Christ; his fascination with world events; insight, courage, bluntness and traces of tenderness; and the humour and wit. He was not a bull in a china shop, he told his brother cardinal and great friend, New York’s Timothy Dolan - “I’m a bloody rodeo in a china shop’’.  For those who knew George Pell these recollections stir fond memories. Others will enjoy encountering him for the first time.
—Tess Livingstone, author of George Cardinal Pell, Pax Invictis

As I read these stories of gratitude for Cardinal Pell, I felt inspired to become more a bishop with the “smell of the sheep” as Pope Francis has said. Each story recalls the heart of a pastor who noticed and remembered people, even as they paint a very colorful picture of this Churchman who was extraordinary in so many ways. Cardinal Pell was such a larger-than-life figure and he could be intimidating. But these essays reveal that what he really wanted to be was a disciple, and that he allowed even the extreme difficulties of his life to lead to deeper purity of heart. Cardinal Pell was a man deeply in love with Jesus Christ and his Church and he allowed his passion to bring him to the cross where all darkness becomes light. 
—The Most Rev. Andrew H. Cozzens, Bishop of Crookston

This series of reflections on the life and impact of George Cardinal Pell from people who knew him highlights his remarkable pastoral skills, dedication to Catholic education, and his incredible rapport with young people and families. 
     The book includes heart-warming stories about Cardinal Pell’s sense of humor, his character as a true father, lover of the family and sacrament of marriage, and his compelling yet winsome manner in standing for all that is good, true and beautiful. 
     Also featured is the drama and intricacies of his appointment by Pope Francis as the very first prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy to improve Vatican financial management, as well as the injustice surrounding the false abuse accusations against the Cardinal and his wrongful imprisonment for more than 400 days. 
     This book is a compelling read on the remarkable life of this towering figure who was misunderstood, maligned and yet was one of the most resolute defenders of the Catholic faith in our time.
—Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone 

“These memories of Cardinal Pell vividly call to mind his visits to our seminary and how I was struck by his attentiveness to each of our seminarians, and especially by how well the seminarians responded to him. He was a humble man of deep charity and strength and of great wisdom and joy. He also radiated a sense of peace that made a real impact on all those around him.”
—Very Rev. Mark Doherty, President-Rector, St. Patrick’s Seminary and University