Vision

Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart

Author(s): 
Francis X. Connolly
Number of pages: 
168 pages
Copyright: 
1957
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
The lovely story of the 16th century priest and saint of Rome whose joy brought many away from the evils of the day. He patiently bore a great deal of emotional persecution from some fellow priests, but eventually won his tormentors over to the love of Christ. Many insights into the meaning of a vocation and how to spread the joy of Christ.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-26-01

Lydia Longley, The First American Nun

Author(s): 
Helen A. McCarthy
Illustrator(s): 
John Lawn
Number of pages: 
187 pages
Copyright: 
1958
Publisher: 
Book Farrar, Straus & Cudahy
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Dramatic changes are in store for Lydia Longley when her father brings home a new mother for his children. At the time she is twelve-years-old. This change, however, proves to be small in comparison to the traumatic event that changes her life forever when she is twenty. While everyone is busy preparing breakfast, a party of Abenaki Indians raids their peaceful farm, killing her parents, brothers and sisters. Miraculously, they spare her life along with her younger brother and sister. Sadly, her three-year-old sister does not survive the treacherous journey north. Upon arriving in Ville-Marie (Montreal, Canada), Lydia begins her new life. Having grown up in a serious Puritan family, the changes are rather startling. What is life like in her new home? What are these strange customs these French Catholics do? Who is the mysterious Jeanne LeBer? How did she survive the long and arduous trek from Groton, Massachusetts to Ville-Marie at the hands of her Indian captors? While remaining faithful to the actual events of her life, Lydia Longley, the First American Nun presents an interesting and inspiring account of her life. The reader is also introduced to Blessed Jeanne LeBer (Leber). Lydia lived from 1674-1758.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-18-2008

Francis and Clare

Saints of Assisi
Book cover: 'Francis and Clare: Saints of Assisi'
Author(s): 
Helen Walker Homan
Number of pages: 
187 pages
Copyright: 
1956
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
I've been reading a number of the Vision Books aloud to my five year old daughter and she seems to like each one more than the last. The story of Saint Francis is both uplifting and enjoyable, due to the many humorous events captured in the story. The book is also informative enough to be interesting to older children and even adults (I had never read a full-length book about St. Francis).
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1999

Saint Anthony and the Christ Child

Author(s): 
Helen Walker Homan
Number of pages: 
174 pages
Copyright: 
1958
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
In the tradition of the Vision Series, this book is a very readable and even enjoyable story of one of the most popular saints whom no one seems to know very much about. Although he is commonly known as Saint Anthony of Padua (Italy) and Finder of Lost Things, Saint Anthony actually hails from Portugal. The beginning of the story, the author admits, is somewhat fictional as very little is known about Saint Anthony's early life. An extremely gifted, orator, Saint Anthony traveled throughout Europe as a humble Franciscan (during the lifetime of Saint Francis of Assisi), preaching the faith, performing miracles, and spreading his devotion to the Christ Child. You'll also learn why Saint Anthony is the patron of the Lost - but I don't want to spoil that for you!

I found it rather disappointing to learn at the end of the story that almost the entire childhood portion of the story is fictitious.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-17-2000

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