Vision Books - Saint's lives

Saint Joan
The Girl Soldier
by Louis de Wohl

This volume in the Vision Books series of saints for youth combines a world famous Catholic novelist, Louis de Wohl, with one of the most thrilling and dramatic saint's lives in history, St. Joan of Arc. De Wohl uses his famed narrative skill to tell young people about the brave teenage French girl who had visions and led armies in battle, but also about how her entire life testifies to the amazing power of God's grace.

It's all here: how Joan, a humble maiden in an insignificant town, was told by St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret to lead the French in battle against the English; how she finally succeeded in convincing the French of the truth of her mission; how she met with fantastic success but was betrayed, captured, and imprisoned; and finally, how she suffered through a politically motivated trial for heresy and was burned at the stake.

Best of all, de Wohl is not interested solely in the external details of Joan's life, but in Joan's all-encompassing love for God, which informed all her courageous actions from beginning to end. You'll not only thrill to Joan's heroism; your heart will delight in her example of loving surrender to God's will. Every detail of her life will ring out to you as a joyful witness to the grace of God.

Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 176 pages

Saint Helena and the True Cross
by Louis de Wohl

Set against the colourful background of power struggles in imperial Rome and battling Roman legions, this is the exciting story of St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, who found the Cross of Christ in Jerusalem. This book for young people paints a vivid portrait of a remarkable woman who overcame every obstacle with faith, hope, perseverance-- and a healthy dose of ambition.

In this acclaimed Vision Books series for youth, Louis de Wohl, known for his masterful storytelling, describes the amazing events that led to the conversion of Helena and the rise to power of her son. He also recounts the vision Constantine experienced on the eve of a pivotal battle and his subsequent legalization of Christianity in the fourth century.The story dramatically concludes with St. Helena's final accomplishment- her dangerous and miraculous expedition to the Holy Land.

Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 160 pages

St. Elizabeth's Three Crowns
by Blanche Jennings Thompson

This story about Saint Elizabeth of Hungary who spent her life differently than most saints. Instead of living in poverty like St. Francis of Assisi, she lived most of her life in a castle surrounded by incredible wealth. She was born Princess Elizabeth of Hungary, the daughter of King Andrew. By the age of four she was already engaged to be married and was sent far away from her home to live with Louis, her husband-to-be, who was only 10 years old. From the beginning of her life in her new castle, Elizabeth was ridiculed by all of those people who were jealous of her. They noticed that she was always trying to be holy. As she would play games with other children, she would contrive little ways to sneak into the chapel and have a visit with Jesus.

Although Elizabeth was a princess, she longed to live the kind of poverty she heard about through the Franciscans. She became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and she constantly gave her jewels and best clothes to the poor. Sometimes she gave everything away and had nothing nice to wear, but Jesus always provided for her at the last minute. When she emptied the castle store-houses of grain for the poor, Jesus would miraculously fill them up again. Her subjects were never able to grow accustomed to the queen who lived the life of a saint, but they always appreciated her generosity and saw in her such simplicity and holiness. Only four years after her death she was canonized a saint.

Ages 9-15

Paperback, 168 pages

Saint Kevin of Glendalough
Hermit, Abbot, and Miracle Worker
by Kevin McKenzie

In 6th century Ireland, the memory of the great missionary, Saint Patrick, was strong, but so was the influence of the old pagan religion. This new Vision Book, Saint Kevin of Glendalough, tells the story of one of the greatest saints of the Emerald Isle.

Saint Kevin founded a monastery in 6th century Ireland that was a beacon of light for the next 800 years. Saint Kevin worked miracles, communed with animals, and inspired thousands to leave everything to follow Christ. Saint Kevin’s example and ministry helped root the light of the Christian faith deep into the hearts of the Irish people. Anyone who visits Saint Kevin’s monastery today will feel his holy and peaceful influence.

Kevin McKenzie spent seven years researching the life of Saint Kevin, visiting places where he lived, and personally translated Saint Kevin’s thousand-year-old Latin life into English. He also set out to walk from Ireland to Rome to better understand Saint Kevin’s own pilgrimage to Rome.

Using his detailed research and the very witness of the places where he lived, McKenzie has woven together the first biography of Saint Kevin in a thousand years. In this book in the acclaimed Vision books series, he has produced a compelling and exciting narrative about Saint Kevin of Glendalough that will inspire and delight readers of all ages, especially youth 9-15 years old.

Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 200 pages

Vincent de Paul
Saint of Charity
by Margaret Ann Hubbard

An exciting and inspirational story of the great French saint of charity, St. Vincent de Paul. From his days of youth as a shepherd boy to his slavery in North Africa, his escape to France, his priestly service to the poor and to abandoned children, his founding of both the Vincentian Order and the Daughters of Charity, clashes with the Jansenists and his political adventures at court, this dramatic story of Vincent de Paul is sure to inspire all readers.

Ages: 10 +

Paperback, 165 pages, Illustrated

Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart
by Fr. Francis X. Connolly, S.P.S.

This book tells the story of one of the Catholic Church's most lovable and loving saints, St. Philip Neri. Despite his wisdom and learning, he was a simple, childlike soul who never ceased, even in his old age, to make jokes and play with his many pets.

Age: 9-12

Paperback, size 8.1" x 5.25", 168 pages

'Illustrated This Vision book for youth tells the beautiful story of American\'s recently canonized saint and servant of the oppressed, St. Katharine Drexel. Born in 1858 to Francis and Emma Drexel, Katharine grew up in a happy, devout, and wealthy Catholic family in Philadelphia. Her parents were greatly loved and admired by many for their kindness and generosity to the poor and needy. After the death of her parents the young Katharine decided to use all the fortune she had inherited to help the less fortunate in America, especially the Indians and African Americans. Acting upon the words she had heard come from a statue of Our Lady, "Freely you have received, freely give," and from the direct advice given her by Pope Leo XIII to become a missionary, Katharine Drexel became a religious sister and founded the order of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1891. Mother Katharine and her sisters worked tirelessly to serve the material and spiritual needs of the downtrodden through numerous schools and institutions she established around the country. She died in 1955, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2001. Cover art by Chris Pelicano 157pp'

Saint John Bosco and Saint Dominic Savio
by Catherine Beebe

An enthralling story of the great modern apostle of youth, Saint John Bosco, and his best-loved pupil who became a saint, Dominic Savio. Blessed with tremendous natural and supernatural gifts, including a wonderful sense of humor, Saint John Bosco overcame overwhelming obstacles to help deprived children find a better life.

Juggler, magician, acrobat, tailor, teacher and writer--John Bosco became all of these in his efforts to lead boys and girls to God. A prayer was the price of admission to his shows; a friendly contest to match skill or strength was his answer to the hoodlums who laughed at him. As a priest he was known as Don Bosco and built churches and schools.

Don Bosco's schools were cheerful places where the school spirit ran high. This story of Saint John Bosco and his pupil, Saint Dominic Savio, will appeal to the young readers of today.

Age: 9-12

Paperback, 157 pages

Saint Ignatius and the Company of Jesus
by August Derleth

This Vision book for youth 9 - 15 years old tells the exciting, dramatic story of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the order he founded, the Society of Jesus. As a young man, Ignatius had dreams of an adventurous life as a soldier. His dreams, however, did not come true the way he had hoped. Seriously wounded in battle, the soldier Ignatius had a profound conversion to Christ during his period of healing and recovery. He abandoned a promising career in the military and dedicated the rest of his life to the service of Christ and the Church. This book tells of his starting one of the most influential orders in the church, and gives a graphic account of his adventures, his many encounters with popes, kings and emperors, and the great work the Jesuits did in spreading the Gospel. Illustrated

Paperback, 168 pages

Saint Anthony and the Christ Child
by Helen Walker Homan

Helen Walker Homan contributes her third volume to the Vision Books series of saints for youth in this story of the life of the greatly beloved St. Anthony of Padua.

Homan covers many of the important and exciting events in Friar Anthony's life including a voyage to the Mohammedan land of Morocco, a shipwreck, and the meeting in Assisi with St. Francis and all of the Friars Minor. From his days as a youth to the dramatic accounts of his powerful preaching and working miracles as a follower of St. Francis, Homan presents a fascinating account of St. Anthony that youth, and all ages, will find enthralling.

Ages: 10+

Paperback, size 8" x 5.2", 174 pages

Courage Under Fire
Father Willie Doyle, S.J., Hero of the First World War
by Fiorella De Maria

This historical novel for young people is about the heroic life of Father Willie Doyle, S.J., an Irish Jesuit priest who sacrificed his life serving wounded soldiers in World War I.

Father Doyle enjoyed a happy, privileged Victorian childhood in Ireland. Growing up in a loving, faithful Catholic family, he heard the call to serve God as a priest from a very young age. Shortly after his ordination, the First World War broke out, and Father Willie volunteered to serve as a chaplain to the thousands of Irish soldiers fighting in France.

This joyful, holy, brave, and compassionate priest left the country he loved and ministered to soldiers in the hell of the trenches, dodging bullets and bombs to ensure that dying soldiers could receive the sacraments. By the time he was killed trying to help a wounded soldier, Father Willie had become greatly loved and esteemed by both Catholics and Protestants fighting in the war.

The cause for the canonization of Father Willie Doyle has recently been opened in Rome.

Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 185 pages

'This is the inspiring story of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a holy young Indian woman who was converted to Christianity by French missionaries during the 1600s. Ostracized from the Iroquois who had adopted her, Kateri lived as a single woman with deep faith, offering her sufferings and life to Christ. Affectionately known as "Lily of the Mohawks", she was recently beautified by Pope John Paul II. Illustrated. 178pp'

Saint Maximilian Kolbe
A Hero of the Holocaust
by Fiorella De Maria

Maximilian Kolbe's decision to take the place of a condemned man in the Auschwitz concentration camp is one of the greatest stories of heroism to emerge from the Holocaust. This book brings to life for a younger audience the incredible story of a Polish weaver's son who grew up to be a priest, a missionary, and a martyr.

Kolbe lived amid the political unrest, the social change, and the spiritual battles that shaped the modern world. In the thick of it all, he had one goal—to share the love of God with as many people as possible. And he was a great innovator, spreading the Gospel through multimedia—a work that took him all the way to Nagasaki, Japan.

With his deep love for Our Lady, Kolbe also founded a Marian movement that has spread throughout the world, the Militia Immaculatae, also known as the Knights of the Immaculata. His imitation of Mary's tremendous trust in God enabled him to bring hope everywhere he went, including a prison camp.

Paperback, size 8" 5.25", 192 pages

'This new title in the acclaimed Vision Books lives of the saints series for youth 9-15 yrs. brings to life the inspirational story of St. Jos\xc3\xa9 S\xc3\xa1nchez del R\xc3\xado, a 14 yr. old boy in Mexico who died a martyr for the Catholic faith during the Cristero War in the 1920s. Meet young Jos\xc3\xa9 and his friend Trino as the war breaks out in their hometown of Sahuayo. Follow Jos\xc3\xa9 through his own struggles as the violence escalates, up to his joining the Cristero army in 1927 to fight for freedom of religion. Captured by government forces, Jos\xc3\xa9 refused to deny his faith in exchange for his freedom. Tortured and forced to march to his grave, he cried out, "Viva Cristo Rey!" (Long live Christ the King) Jos\xc3\xa9 died as he had lived, a hero. Inspired by this young martyr to become a priest himself, Father McKenzie spent ten years researching and writing Jos\xc3\xa9\'s story. The result is a riveting tale of a young man\'s bravery and passion for God. Drawing on all existing sources, including never-before-seen documents from the Vatican and the Mexican Government, Saint Jos\xc3\xa9 plunges the young reader into a country at war, not over territory, but over the right to worship God freely. Canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis, St. Jos\xc3\xa9 is one of the newest and youngest saints of the Catholic Church, and an inspiration to people from all walks of life. He shows us that our faith is worth fighting and dying for. His example is a powerful catalyst for young people today, so many of whom are tempted to never commit themselves to any serious calling in life. 160pp'

'From the famous Vision Books series of lives of saints for young people, this is the inspiring dramatic account of the colorful and courageous life and death of the martyr, St. Edmund Campion, hero of God\'s underground" during the persecutions of the Catholics in England in the 1500s. Campion, the most celebrated young scholar of his day, was on his way to becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury until a crisis of conscience turned him back to his Catholic faith. He fled England, became a Jesuit priest, and was sent back to be the leader of the underground ministry to the persecuted Catholics until, after a long and frustrated search, the government finally captured him and brutally executed him. His daring and brilliant underground ministry to Catholics all over England, his zeal for the faith, and his great courage and joy in the face of martyrdom are all related in this compelling story for youth. 180pp'

The Cure of Ars
The Priest Who Out-Talked the Devil
by Milton Lomask

This story of the greatly beloved Cure of Ars, Jean-Marie Vianney, a farm boy born during the French Revolution, longed to become a priest. But he could not learn Latin, and it seemed as if the humble, lovable, slow-thinking Jean-Marie would never be ordained. He did at last become a priest, and such a holy one that St. Jean-Marie Vianney is invoked as the patron saint and model of parish priests everywhere. To many he is known, not by name, but simply as "the Cure of Ars," the parish priest who devoted his life to the little village of Ars and so successfully led his people to sanctity that he became a prime target of the devil.

Ages 9-15

Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 148 pages

Hugh O'Flaherty
The Irish Priest Who Resisted the Nazis
by Fiorella De Maria

Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was working in the Vatican when dictator Benito Mussolini fell from power and Germany invaded Italy in 1943. This courageous Irish priest who resisted the Nazi occupation was made famous by the movie, The Scarlet and the Black, starring Gregory Peck. The Monsignor O'Flaherty brought to life in this story is as intriguing and exciting as the film version.

Witty, brilliant, and fearless, Monsignor O'Flaherty helped escaped Allied prisoners of war and persecuted Jews to elude capture by the Germans. At great risk to themselves, Monsignor O'Flaherty and his equally brave friends—priests, nuns, and lay men and women, including a few aristocrats—saved thousands of lives. They constantly needed to stay one step ahead of the ever-persistent Nazis until their surrender to the Allies in 1945.

Not just a thrilling adventure story, this book offers a portal into a real-life battle between good and evil. It also tells of the need after a war for forgiveness and redemption.

Paberback, size 8" x 5.25", 196 pages

The Vision Books are one of the most popular and well-written series of saints' lives ever produced for young people. This Teachers' Guide now offers teachers and parents a practical means to stimulate both the spiritual growth and intellectual development of students through an organized, systematic study of seventeen biographies of holy men and women in the Vision Books series. This guide facilitates student interaction with the spiritual insights, moral lessons, and sound academic content found in each book. It is divided into sections, each of which contains an overview of the saint's life and activities that illustrate the person's impact on the Church and his time. These activities are destined to challenge student thinking, to promote the application of spiritual insights to the reader's personal life, and to expand the reader's understanding and appreciation of the holiness of the saints. Teachers can select any combination of activities for individual students, for small groups, or for class-wide discussion. The activities include chapter vocabulary, language in context, time line, outline maps, topics for written reports, biographical sketches, using Scripture and the Catechism, and discussion questions.

Saint Pius X
The Farm Boy who Became Pope
by Fr. Walter Diethelm, O.S.B.

This is a true story of St. Pius X. Young readers will be inspired by the life of this holy man--from his youthful days of hard work and prayer to receive the eduction he needed to his years as country priest, encouraging his people to holiness.

Age: 9-12

Paperback, size 8" x 5.2", 163 pages