Book Review: A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms

When I was pregnant, my relationship with God had never been better.  My participation in the miracle of life was so obviously binding to God.  But since Lucia's birth, my prayer life has been a struggle.  The diapers and laundry are not as obvious a spiritual work.  Even if I were to get pregnant again, it won't be quite the same with a little one to care for at home.  Finding time for prayer in my day can sometimes be difficult, at least structured, disciplined prayer.  Right now I am in need of prayer that I can slip into my day, in the little free moments, or that I can pray with my child.  

Since becoming a mother, I've also felt a draw to the Saints.  Being in "the trenches of motherhood" all day, I've found companionship with those women and men who have lived fully in this world, doing everyday labor in the house and in the workforce, while simultaneously serving God.  Even those who lived secluded in monasteries and convents were involved in housework - cooking and cleaning, laundry and dishes.  These men and women, fully human - with all the temptations and demands that entails - were able to fill their busy lives with prayer and service to the Lord.  If they could do it, so can I, and who better to learn from than those who have come before me?

It was for these reasons that I was attracted to A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms: 52 Companions for Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul by Lisa M. Hendey.   I'd been eyeing it for a while, so when Catholic Family Gifts contacted me about doing another review/giveaway for them, I knew just the item I wanted to choose. 

What I love most about A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms is its format.  Divided into 52 chapters, each one focusing on a different Saint, the book is meant to walk you through a year of Saints, one per week.  Each Saint is matched with a particular intention important in the life of a mother, for example, Saint Isidore of Seville represents "Employing Technology to Inspire and Educate" and Saint Teresa  of Avila, " Living Holiness in Our Humanity".  These topics are listed alongside the Saints names in the table of contents, allowing mothers to choose Saints for specific important intentions in their lives.  

Each chapter includes:

• a summary of the Saint's life
• lessons that can be learned from his/her story
• traditions that have arisen from devotion to the Saint
• a quote from the Saint
• a scripture reading for each day of the week (Sunday-Saturday)
• Saint-inspired activities - separate ones for mom and kids
• a prayer to say as a family
• a few questions for reflection

I appreciate that the chapters include reflections and information for mom, but also ways in which to share the faith as a family.   I also like that the actual reading time is short on any one day, but that it still gives you enough information for deeper contemplation and to grow in faith.  I also love that, unlike some other Saint books for moms, this book does not only include Saints who were themselves mothers, or even just female Saints, but a diverse collection of  Saints - male, female, young, old, religious, married, single - who mothers can learn from in various aspects.

This book is available at Catholic Family Gifts and would make a particularly lovely gift for a new or experiences mom.  Catholic Family Gifts has generously offered to give one reader a copy of A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms.  

I was sent a copy of A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms in order to facilitate this review. I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.