Ernest, Br CSC
Brother Ernest was born John Dominic Ryan on August 4, 1897, in Elyria, Ohio. In 1918, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross of Notre Dame and took his vows in 1923. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1925, a degree in library science from Catholic University of America, and a master's degree from the University of Portland. Brother Ernest taught in Evansville, Indiana; New Orleans; Indianapolis; Portland, Oregon; and at Notre Dame. The Dujarie Press of Notre Dame was his creation. He founded it in 1943, but even before then he was an author. His first book is Our Brothers, from 1931, but in his thirty-year career, Brother Ernest wrote scores of books, most of them biographies of saints for young readers.
Brother Ernest, C.S.C. (Congregatio a Sancta Cruce) died on March 4, 1963, in Notre Dame and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in the same place.
by Br Ernest, CSC
Saul was born in the early 1st century. His father was Jewish and a Roman citizen. He was a tentmaker by trade and Saul planned on following in his father's trade. While growing up he was given a good education and enjoyed athletics. As a Jew he didn't like Christians and wanted to hunt them down and bring them to trial. He was even present at the stoning of St. Stephen, who is known as the first martyr of the Christian religion. But as you will read God has other plans for Saul later known as Paul. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Paul by realizing that we need to follow Jesus and that even if we make mistakes we need to understand that His mercy is endless.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C
As a teenager Patrick was captured by invaders and taken to Ireland where he was sold as a slave. After many years he escaped and went to France.After being ordained a priest Patrick went back to Ireland to become its Bishop. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of St Patrick who answered God's call and helped bring a whole nation closer to God.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
by Brother Ernest C.S.C.
John began to be a follower of Jesus at an early age. He loved Jesus very much. He was the only disciple who stood beneath the Cross with the Blessed Mother, Mary of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene: faithful to the end. From the Cross Jesus looked at His Mother and said, "Woman, behold thy son." Then to John He said, "Behold thy Mother." What a gift Jesus gave to John-the gift of caring for His Mother. Let us try to follow in the footsteps of Saint John by remaining faithful to the end and practicing love for one another. Has Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
by Br Ernest, CSC
Peter and his brother Andrew were humble fishermen when Jesus called them to become "Fishers of Men". Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Peter, who professed his faith in Jesus and learned trust that the Lord would save him.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
by St. Francis de Sales
In Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life St. Francis de Sales, beloved Doctor of the Church, gives us treasured insight from the master of spiritual direction. How can the soul persevere in piety in the midst of affliction? How should we conduct ourselves when suffering interior trials? How can we profit from our own faults? St. Francis de Sales explains all this and more.
In this masterful collection, St. Francis speaks to every soul on the riches to be gained from suffering trials and temptations, the advantages we can draw from our own defects, and how to choose and carry the best crosses. Also included are uplifting passages on suffering sadness, or what we would now call depression.
Readers of Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life will experience firsthand why St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is known to history as the Gentle Saint. St. Francis was Bishop of Geneva and a tireless preacher, who yet made time to correspond with numerous souls who wrote him for his insight and guidance. His Consoling Thoughts are compiled from these letters as well as from his other spiritual works.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 192 pages
by Br Ernest, CSC
In 1888 this young girl enters the Carmelite convent at the age of 15. Reading this story about Saint Therese can help us see how to grow in holiness by doing even the smallest things with great love for God!
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
A Story of Saint Philomena
by Brother Roberto, C.S.C.
In the 3rd or 4th century, a young Christian girl was buried in the catacombs of Rome. Her burial place was marked with the inscription "Pax tecum Filumena" ("Peace to you, Philomena") along with symbols indicating that she was a virgin and a martyr. After her relics were discovered in 1802, many miracles began to be reported.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
by Brother Evan Schmid, C.S.C
Augustine was born in Africa in the year 354. As a young man, he began living a sinful life, but his mother, Monica, prayed that her son might become a Christian. After many years of persistent prayer, her son finally converted. Later, Augustine was ordained a priest, and in the year 395 he was consecrated to serve as the bishop of Hippo. Augustine wrote hundreds of books and letters defending the Catholic Faith. His writings remain influential to this day and have brought many people to Christ.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 95 pages
A Story of Venerable Leo Papin Dupont
by Brother Gerard Hagemann, C.S.C.
Known as the Holy Man of Tours, Leo Dupont worked hard to spread the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
A Story of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
by Brother Roberto, C.S.C.
Born in 1090 near Dijon, France, Bernard's parents believed God had special plans for their son. As a Cistercian monk, St. Bernard helped to inspire other to seek holiness through solitude, poverty, prayer, and work.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
A Story of Saint Francis Xavier
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.
Born in the Navarre region of Spain in 1506, Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus. As a Jesuit priest, Francis was sent as a missionary to India. He undertook this mission with a great zeal to win souls for Christ. For more than 10 years, Francis faced dangerous travel conditions, learned new languages, and fearlessly preached the gospel to thousands of people in India and Japan. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis Xavier, who had a great zeal for winning souls for Christ and worked tirelessly to help others learn about God.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
A Story of Daniel The Prophet
by Brother Edward Overstreet, C.S.C.
Daniel was born more than 600 years before the birth of Jesus. When he was a teenager, the Jewish nation was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel was taken to Babylon as a hostage. Because of his wisdom, he was selected to become an advisor to the King of Babylon. Daniel put God first in his life, and was obedient and faithful to God’s laws—even when doing so put his own life in danger. When the king had Daniel thrown into a lions’ den, God saved Daniel. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Daniel the prophet, who trusted in God and showed great courage when he placed the laws of God above the demands of an earthly ruler.
Level 3
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 145 pages
A Story of the Divine Infant Jesus of Prague
by Brother Gerard Hagemann, C.S.C.
Around 1628, during the Thirty Years’ War, a small statue of the Infant Jesus was given to a Carmelite monastery in Prague. The monastery was soon abandoned when an army invaded the city. In 1637, Father Cyril found the broken statue and heard the words, “The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.” Today, many people visit Prague to see the statue, and replicas of the statue can be found in churches and homes around the world. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of those who have had a devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague. Like them, we can honor Jesus by our life, by our good example, and by our prayers.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.
St Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. As a carpenter he worked hard to support his family. His selfless devotion to Mary and Jesus makes him a model for all. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of St Joseph, who listened to the word of God, devoted himself to Mary and Jesus, and humbly worked to build up God's kingdom.
Level 1
Paperback, 30 pages
by Br Ernest, CSC
Dominic de Guzman was born in a big castle where he lived with his parents and 2 brothers. Both of his brothers also became priests. This saint was ordained as a priest in 1195 and wanted to become a missionary. But God had other plans for him. Through St Dominic we received the devotion we now call the Rosary!
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
A Story of Saint Jerome
by Brother Roberto, C.S.C.
Saint Jerome was born around 347 A.D in a province of the Roman Empire. He received a good education, and he was an excellent student. One day, he had a vision where he seemed to hear the voice of Jesus say, “You are a follower of Cicero—not of Christ.” After this vision, he devoted himself to prayer and studying the Bible. Jerome devoted 20 years of his life to translating the entire Bible into the everyday Latin of the people. He also wrote commentaries on the books of the Bible. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Jerome, who pursued holiness, studied the Bible, and helped others to gain a better understanding of the Bible.
Level 3
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 143 pages
A Story of St Peter Canisius
by Brother Genard Greene, CSC
Born in 1521, Peter Canisius was a great figure of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. As a youth, Peter was stubborn and mischievous, but after making a spiritual retreat as a young man, he was filled with grace and had a strong desire to do something for God. He discerned that God was calling him to become a Jesuit priest. As a Jesuit priest, Peter courageously preached against heresies, authored many fine books, and founded great institutions of learning. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Peter Canisius, who gave up his selfishness, followed God’s calling, and willingly accepted the burdens and crosses of daily life.
Level 3
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 141 pages
by Br Ernest, CSC
John Bosco was born in Italy in 1815. As a young boy he learned to juggle and do magic tricks. the children enjoyed watching him perform. As he entertained them he would have the children say the Rosary if they wanted to see more of his performance. After becoming a priest he opened a school for boys and started a religious order known as the Salesians to continue this important work. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of St John Bosco who devoted his life to teaching others about God.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
A Story of Blessed Marie Leonie PSSF
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.
Born in 1840 in Canada, Elodia felt called to enter the Marianites of the Holy Cross at the age of 14 and took the name Sister Marie-Leonie. Later she founded a new order, the little Sisters of the Holy Family and they devoted themselves to caring for the household needs of clergy and seminarians.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
by Brother Ernerst, C.S.C.
Imelda was born in 1322. Even before she was five she desired to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. However at that time the Church ruled that a child had to be at least twelve to receive Jesus for the first time. She prayed hard and asked others to pray with her so that the rule would be changed. To be closer to God she joined the Dominican Sisters so that she could be closer to Jesus in the tabernacle. One day while she knelt in the chapel praying for her special intention one of the Sisters saw a Host come from the closed door of the tabernacle and by Itself came to the place where Imelda knelt. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Blessed Imelda as we realize what a special gift we receive every time we receive Our Lord, Jesus in Holy Communion.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages