Biographies

Saint John Bosco and Saint Dominic Savio

Book cover: Saint John Bosco and Saint Dominic Savio
Author(s): 
Catherine Beebe
Number of pages: 
157 pages
Copyright: 
1955
ISBN / ID: 
9780898704167
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This was the book that got our family "hooked" on the Vision Series. I happened to find it at a Used Book store (Ignatius Press books are fairly easy to spot because of the contrasting color around the author's name on the spine of the book). I didn't expect my children to be interested in full-length books at such a young age (my oldest had just turned five). Somehow we got started and they loved it. This is a particularly good Saint story to start with because St. John Bosco is a special patron of children and especially boys. Any child will delight in the stories of how he taught himself juggling and other tricks in order to teach catechism and morals to the troublesome boys in town. We also enjoyed the stories of the dog who followed Don Bosco through the streets of the city late at night and protected him from danger.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Saint Margaret Mary, Apostle of the Sacred Heart

Book cover: Saint Margaret Mary, Apostle of the Sacred Heart
Author(s): 
Ruth Fox Hume
Number of pages: 
187 pages
Copyright: 
1960
Publisher: 
Farrar Straus and Cudahy
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is such a beautiful story of a simple, humble nun who was chosen by Jesus to spread devotion to his most Sacred Heart. I especially like how the author presents God's plan and how He had specially prepared Sr. Alocoque and Father de la Columbiere for this important mission. As Ignatius Press is reprinting many books from the Vision series, I hope this will be back in print sometime soon.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart

Book cover: Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart
Author(s): 
Francis X. Connolly
Number of pages: 
168 pages
Copyright: 
1957
ISBN / ID: 
9780898704310
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

Saint Thomas More of London

Book cover: Saint Thomas More of London
Author(s): 
Elizabeth Ince
Number of pages: 
188 pages
Copyright: 
1957
ISBN / ID: 
9780898709322
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

An interesting and readable life of Thomas More (1477-1535): the great saint, scholar, father, lawyer, statesman, author, patriot and lover of the Church. The author, a descendant of Thomas More, has included many interesting details and anecdotes that bring this great man to life and help us better understand who he was. Even as an adult who became interested in St. Thomas More from the movie A Man for All Seasons, I found many tidbits that helped fill in the details not present in the movie – particularly regarding More's life before he became Chancellor of England. We also get more of a sense of his holiness and spirituality. Highly Recommended.

Part of the Vision series from Ignatius Press, this book is best for upper grade school and high school.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
9-29-03

St. Therese and the Roses

Book cover: St. Therese and the Roses
Author(s): 
Helen Walker Homan
Number of pages: 
149 pages
Copyright: 
1955
ISBN / ID: 
9780898705201
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Therese Martin (1873 – 1897) was the youngest of five girls growing up in a devout Catholic family in France in the late nineteenth century. We all know how, in just over one hundred years she has become one of the most beloved Saints in the Church and has recently been named "Doctor of the Church" by Pope John Paul II. This is the delightful and moving story of a little girl who became a great saint; of five sisters who were all called to religious vocations. The story focuses on her family life and the little details that make an interesting story and when added together make sense out of who she was. Although the Vision Series was intended for ages nine to fifteen, this story is one of my six year old daughter's favorites (we've had to read it aloud twice so far). It is an excellent read-aloud book for the whole family, which allows moms (and dads too) to benefit from the story and become more acquainted with Saint Therese's Little Way.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
11-16-99

The Cure of Ars

The Priest Who Outtalked the Devil
Book cover: The Cure of Ars
Author(s): 
Milton Lomask
Number of pages: 
190 pages
Copyright: 
1958
ISBN / ID: 
9780898706000
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is a quicker and slightly easier read than the title by Mary Fabyan Windeatt. It lacks the richness of explanations about the priesthood, but I thought that it portrayed St. John Vianney's humility and simplicity a little more clearly. It's also clearly written to be interesting even to those who are not accustomed to reading saint stories, so there is more emphasis on exciting events, such as when John Vianney, as a young boy, helped to hide a hunted priest from the authorities.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-7-01

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