Finn, Fr Francis J.
Francis James Finn was born October 4, 1859 in St. Louis, Missouri to Irish immigrant parents. His lifelong love of reading began with Cardinal Wiseman’s Fabiola, and among his favorites was the work of Dickens.
Though he often suffered from ill health while he was in the Jesuit Seminary at Florissant, Missouri, the hard work he encountered when assigned as prefect of the boarding school at St. Mary’s College in Kansas (which would later become “St. Maure’s” in his famous stories) served as a perfect cure. Here his love of literature and his daily contact with the boys made a happy marriage and resulted in what would eventually become his first book, Tom Playfair.
He was eventually stationed at St. Xavier’s parish school in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he somehow found time amidst his many duties to continue writing books—27 in all. He died on All Souls Day in 1928 and was mourned by children everywhere.
And What Came of It
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
This book features Claude and many other characters from Claude Lightfoot. Again, Fr. Finn covers a host of Catholic topics, giving a ringing defense of the game of football and presenting a great picture of the All-American boy. See the Catholic Faith woven into everyday life, the way it should be. Puts the right kind of role models before the eyes of our boys!
Interesting to read, enthralling, hard to put down -- not only for young people, but for adults as well!
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 262 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
George Herbert leaves Campion College for a teaching job in Florida…but little does he know he is walking into a wasp’s nest of anti-Catholic bigotry. How can he help his students and their parents to learn the truth about the Catholic Church, and restore love and joy to this little town?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 212 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
The story opens with 10-year-old Tom Playfair being quite a handful for his well-meaning but soft-hearted aunt. (Tom's mother has died.) Mr. Playfair decides to ship his son off to St. Maure's boarding school--an all-boys academy run by Jesuits--to shape him up, as well as to help him make a good preparation for his upcoming First Communion. Tom is less than enthusiastic, but his adventures are just about to begin.
Life at St. Maure's will not be dull!
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 255 pages
Or the Adventures of a Newcomer
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
In Ethelred Preston, Fr. Finn's engaging narration entertains readers with a new student, Ethelred, who livens things up at Henryton Boarding Academy. The adventures intertwine a host of Catholic topics and present an entertaining and inspiring vision of childhood.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 237 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Join Tom Playfair in meeting a new boy who has just arrived at St. Maure's: Percy Wynn. Percy has grown up in a family of 10 girls and only 1 boy—himself! His manners are formal, he talks like a book, and he has never done anything remotely athletic. Yet he has brains, courage, and high Catholic ideals. Tom and his pals at St. Maure's befriend Percy and have a lively time as they all chip in to help turn Percy into a well-rounded, all-American Catholic boy. Father Francis Finn, S.J., was an early 20th century Jesuit priest who wrote delightful children's stories about life in Jesuit boarding schools. Taken from his years of experience teaching Catholic boys, Father Finn writes about various human personalities with warmth and humor that makes for enjoyable reading for all types.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 248 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Young Harry Dee arrives at St. Maure's thin and pale from his painful experiences involving the murder of his rich uncle. In this last book of the three, Tom and Percy help Harry recover from his early trauma--which involves solving "the mystery of Tower Hill Mansion." After many wild experiences, the three boys graduate from St. Maure's and head toward the life work to which God is calling each of them as young men.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 284 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Tragedy strikes for Bobby Vernon and his mother on their journey through California, when a sudden earthquake separates them. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, each finds the assistance needed to forge ahead with their lives, but neither can truly rest until they find one another...or find what the other’s fate was. Much that is good happens along the way...but what will the future hold for them?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 164 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
On Canal Street in New Orleans "Professor Thomas" finds a young boy in need of help...and embarks on an unexpected adventure in South America in the course of lending him that help. Will the forces of evil prevail against young Jose Maria? And who is this young hero who spares nothing to get him safely home?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 196 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
In this sequel to Lucky Bob, Bob Ryan’s fortunes have changed this year and he is now one of the top students at St. Xavier’s School in Cincinnati. But his personality is as magnetic as it ever was, and he wisely uses his influence over others to quell petty rivalries and help those in need. But the mystery of his abandonment by his father is still unsolved, and when jealous tongues begin to wag, Bob feels it deeply. Have all his efforts been in vain? With no family and no money, what will the future hold for our friendly hero?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 220 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Bob Ryan has a way with animals. For that matter, he has a way with everyone! It’s hard to believe that his own father could have cruelly abandoned this boy to shift for himself. But Bob has no trouble making friends with everyone he meets, and with their help, he is able to make his way in the world quite well. Is he lucky, or have all his sufferings simply perfected love through adversity?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 212 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Michael Desmond is “That Office Boy” to Father Carney, president of St. Xavier’s School in Cincinnati. When the Young Ladies’ Sodality decides to enter a popularity contest with the local paper to win a piano, chaos ensues, and it is up to Michael and his friends to use their wits and creativity to carefully steer the boat off the shoals. Find out who wins and how!
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 214 pages
Or How the Problem Was Solved
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
The story opens upon Claude Lightfoot, a reckless 12 year old boy who constantly acts first and thinks later. After being in clash with some bullies, Claude is obliged to miss his First Communion. In the course of the story, Fr. Finn manages to cover a host of topics, including smoking, drinking, the devil, Confession, Holy Communion, retaining one s Baptismal innocence, the 9 First Fridays, the priesthood, mothers and sisters, truthfulness, lying, courage, effeminacy, atheism, sacrilege, baseball, Americanism (true and false), Latin, virtue, honor, leadership, etc.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 263 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
All is sunshine and roses for Clarence Esmond as he saunters down the streets of McGregor, searching for the bright-eyed goddess of adventure. Little does he know he is about to suffer one misadventure after another at her hands! But another good Lady is watching over him from heaven, and with the help of some of her most unlikely devotees, much good is brought out of evil for all involved.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 212 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Alice Morrow, a delightful Catholic girl whose cheer-fulness disguises the real sufferings which she and her family endure in their state of poverty. Alice teaches by her own example how to enjoy life and carry with patience, joy and hope whatever crosses God ordains to send. Fr. Carney and his crew of philanthropists, headed by Margaret Dalton, come to the rescue of this family.
Our "Fairy of the Snows" with all her zeal for life and her deep appreciation for music, dance and plays can't be bothered with self-pity she captures the heart of the reader. Excellent family reading - adults and children alike love them. A veritable catechism in action, teaching loyalty, humility, patience and how to see only good in others.
Hardcover, size 8.5" x 5.5", 221 pages
- 1