Customer Reviews

The Saints and Our Children

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This great little book, originally printed in 1958, brings the saints alive for children. The stories in this book can be read aloud to children of all ages. The first part of the book covers Abraham, John Bosco, Dominic Savio, Maria Goretti, Bernadette Soubirous, Therese Lisieux and the Holy Family, giving stories to help children see how these people became saints. It views their family life, how they grew up, what their faults were and how they overcame them. The second part gives saint stories for parents to use to illustrate a teaching point and correction of their children. The subjects cover areas like loving one's neighbor, purgatory, obedience, selfishness, impure thoughts, temper trouble, pain and suffering, grudge holding -- points all illustrated through a short story from a saint's life. Tremendous family teaching tool, enjoyable and memorable reading.

As a diehard Mary Reed Newland fan, I was thrilled when this book was reprinted. The best aspect of this book is that, unlike most lives of the saints, it is written particularly to encourage parents in their efforts in raising their children. Mrs. Newland takes four particular childhood saints -- Dominic Savio, Maria Goretti, Bernadette Soubirous and Thérèse Martin -- and shows how their upbringing and family circumstances, all as diverse as any upbringings and environments can be, formed them. Then she takes different virtues and lessons, using a particular saint story to illustrate how each saint acquired virtue and overcame temptation.
If you have ever felt discouraged in raising your children, if you have ever wondered if they will ever turn out right, you need to read this book and take courage in God's help and your cooperation with His graces.