Vision

Saints of the Church

Book cover: 'Saints of the Church'
Author(s): 
Michael G. Allen
Number of pages: 
184 pages
Copyright: 
2000
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Saints
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Resource Type: 
General Resource
Review: 
This book is a companion to the Vision series of saint's biographies (also published by Ignatius Press). It is a wonderful help to extending the biographies into a full-blown unit study, if you wish, or just to help enrich the reading. For each of the 17 books covered in Saints of the Church , the author includes:
  • an overview of the book
  • vocabulary lists broken out by chapter
  • quotations from the books called "Language in Context" that develop comprehension and illustrate various literary devices
  • Time Line information
  • Outline Map information
  • Numerous topics for written reports on various levels
  • Biographical sketches of other famous people in the book
  • "Turning to Scripture and Catechism" which requires looking up various verses or topics in the Bible and the Catechism; this is done to "make connections between the saint's life and the living tradition of the Catholic Church."
  • Discussion questions

This is a wonderful, well-organized, and thorough guide to really getting the most out of the Vision books...likely just the kind of thing we would do on our own if we had the time.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Saint Thomas More of London

Book cover: Saint Thomas More of London
Author(s): 
Elizabeth Ince
Number of pages: 
188 pages
Copyright: 
1957
ISBN: 
9780898709322
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
16th century
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
High School
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: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
9-29-03

Saint Margaret Mary, Apostle of the Sacred Heart

Author(s): 
Ruth Fox Home
Number of pages: 
187 pages
Copyright: 
1960
Publisher: 
Farrar Straus and Cudahy
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
17th century
France
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
High School
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: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Cure of Ars

The Priest Who Outtalked the Devil
Book cover: 'The Cure of Ars: The Priest Who Outtalked the Devil'
Author(s): 
Milton Lomask
Number of pages: 
190 pages
Copyright: 
1958
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
19th century
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
Elementary
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: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3-7-01

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): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
High Middle Ages
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
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: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3-17-2000

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): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
High Middle Ages
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
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: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

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): 
Biographies
Setting: 
18th century
Canada
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
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: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
2-18-2008

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): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
16th century
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
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: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
4-26-01

St. Therese and the Roses

Book cover: 'St. Therese and the Roses'
Author(s): 
Helen Walker Homan
Number of pages: 
149 pages
Copyright: 
1955
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
19th century
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
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: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
11-16-99

Saint Ignatius and the Company of Jesus

Book cover: Saint Ignatius and the Company of Jesus
Author(s): 
August Derleth
Illustrator(s): 
John Lawn
Number of pages: 
167 pages
Copyright: 
1956
ISBN: 
9780898707229
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Saints
Setting: 
16th century
Spain
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Review: 

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the well-known saint/scholar, founder of the Jesuits and author of the Spiritual Exercises, was a surprisingly simple and humble man. Although he was rather arrogant and adventurous as a young soldier, a serious battle wound forced him into an extended bed rest. Restless and bored, he finally gave in to reading the only two books available to him – The Life of Our Saviour and The Lives of the Saints. Reading and studying these stories placed Ignatius onto a new and completely unexpected path – one of serious devotion to God and profound humility. The story follows his life as he seeks God's will, returns to school as a 33 year old man, gains folllowers while in the University and finally puts together his dream of "the Company of Jesus."

We are reminded in the story of what effect the stories of the lives of the Saints can have. The story of Ignatius is of particular value, not only because of his great effect on the world, but also because of the glimpse we are given of the spiritual development that takes place within him as he seeks to do God's will. Despite the depth of content, the story is told in a simple enough manner to be understood and appreciated by the whole family.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
11-16-99

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