A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught Me to (Be a Badass) Age with Grace

• Embrace aging with faith, peace and purpose
• Heartfelt stories, personal experiences and inspiration
• 20 female saints representing different aspects of aging to encourage you
• How to age with grace and joy in the Lord
• Beautiful gift for women in midlife or later years

In A Beautiful Second Act, bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of midlife and beyond, drawing wisdom from twenty inspiring saints and modern “soul sisters” who faced these transitions with strength and grace.

As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, many women—especially those in the sandwich generation, balancing the needs of both children and aging parents—face unique challenges. Retirement, shifting relationships, and new spiritual awakenings bring both uncertainty and opportunity. 

With heartfelt storytelling, Johnson shares the experiences of remarkable women who embraced their second act with resilience and purpose.

Each chapter introduces a saint or modern woman whose journey illuminates different aspects of aging:

• Hildegard of Bingen, a Benedictine mystic, whose understanding of natural medicine led her to create “nerve cookies” to bring peace and joy.
• St. Marianne Cope, who, at fifty, transitioned from educating children to caring for the sick in Hawaii’s leper colonies.
• Elizabeth Leseur, whose steadfast faith in marriage led to her husband's profound conversion after her passing.
• Grandma Moses, the extraordinary artist who overcame arthritis by turning to painting later in life.
• Dorothy Day, whose radical conversion led her to a Christ-centered mission of social justice.
• Josephine Bakhita, whose passion for faith and freedom inspired generations of evangelists in her homeland.

These saints and soul sisters offer guidance on navigating physical changes, redefining purpose, strengthening relationships, and embracing the spiritual depth that comes with age. With honesty and insight, Johnson shares her own journey, reflecting on the ways God calls us to trust Him in this sacred season of life.

Your second act is not an ending—it is a beautiful new beginning. Let these extraordinary women show you how to age with faith, grace, and a renewed sense of purpose.