So a few days ago I was on an airplane and somebody left a copy of a recent Us Weekly in the back pocket of the seat in front of me. While I would never subscribe to Us Weekly, I also never pass up the chance to read it cover to cover if it happens my way–in a doctor’s office, at a friend’s house on their coffee table, and well, if a kind former passenger in my current seat left it for me to peruse. And peruse I did.
Among all the photographs of celebrities doing things “just like us!”–you know, grocery shopping, walking dogs, etc–I came across a little article about whether Angelina Jolie is a saint for her work with Bosnian refugees.

Saint Angelina, I said to myself with a laugh. Really? Come on. Her use of celebrity to do all sorts of philanthropic work is terrific and all, but canonization?
This weekend when I had some time I looked up the reference and I found a number of articles about how it wasn’t just Us Weekly naming Jolie a saint, but the Bosnian refugees she’s been helping. A related blog post said the following:
“Angelina Jolie has earned the esteemed title “our saint” by the Bosnian refugees. Through her tireless efforts as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina has recently brought attention to the current living conditions of the last 15 people living in a Bosnian refugee camp. The recent media attention garnered by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s surprise visit to the camp convinced the U.S. government to donate nearly $500,000 in assistance funds.”
NPR also picked up an Associated Press story that said the same. Do you think Angelina Jolie should be called a saint for her activist/philanthropic work?