November is the perfect time to reconnect with some old friends -- the saints. As far as I'm concerned, you can never have too many saint books, so here are some of my favorites. I hope they'll soon be among your favorites:
My Life with the Saints, by James Martin, S.J. (Loyola Press): When I received this book back when it first came out in 2006, my first reaction was, basically, Oh, another saint book. WRONG. This book is amazing and inspiring. From the opening pages, I was hooked. The saints of my childhood, the ones I read about every night before bed, suddenly took on new relevance thanks to Father Martin. This is not just one of my favorite saint books; this one is on my list of favorite books. Period.
Catholic Saints Prayer Book by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle (Our Sunday Visitor Publishing): This small, hardcover book is jam-packed with information and prayers related to your favorite saints, 32 of them to be exact. I find I pull this book out when I'm checking feast days, needing some background on a saint, or just looking for some peace as I go about my busy day. Added bonus: It's small enough to take with you -- in your purse, in your car. Saints on the go.
A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms: 52 Companions for Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul by Lisa M. Hendey (Ave Maria Press): This one is hot off the press, and it's an excellent book to take you right through the entire year. Not only do you get a story about each saint, but lessons, traditions, wisdom, and even "saint-inspired activities." In addition, there are Scripture readings for each day of the week for every saint, prayers, and a final thought to ponder for each entry. Get it for yourself, your mom, or a Catholic mom you know.
Book of Saints by Amy Welborn (Loyola Press): This is a go-to book for me, especially when I'm putting together lesson plans for faith formation or helping my own kids with saint-related studies and activities. (Our parish All Saints' Day party this week, for example.) So often kids think the saints are people so unlike them, from far-off lands and distant times, but this book helps them see the saints as real and relevant role models.
DISQUS for OSV Daily Take
