Tuesday, September 3, 2013

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




17 comments:

  1. I've always loved the saints! But, this post, I could have written it myself after having my first son. Now that we have two under two, I am thirsting for my spiritual life that once was. Thank you for your review! Adding this to my reading list!

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  2. I love the idea of studying and meditating on the life of just one saint a week. How perfect for busy mamas! This has been on my Amazon wishlist for awhile, but I haven't read it yet.

    Sarah O @ Two Os Plus More

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  3. I found this book at my library and also just love the format!

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  4. I would love to read this book! Sounds perfect for a busy Catholic mom!

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  5. This is perfect! I was JUST pursuing this morning about my need for a better prayer life and how I need help with it. Thanks!

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  6. I have been wanting to read this book for some time now! I just love reading and learning about all the saints, and having a book about them that is designed for mothers, woudl be the prefect addition to my ever growing Catholic Mom books pile :)

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  7. I've been looking for a book like this! I'm Episcopalian, but I'm really interested in learning (and teaching my son) about the saints.

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  8. I've been researching the best books for new moms, and this one sounds like a beautiful place to start. Thanks for the review and recommendation!

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  9. This is a wonderful book! Honestly one of my top two or three on my bookshelf. I know just who I would gift it to if I won!

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  10. I've wanted to read this book for a long time! I'm not a mom yet but hope to be someday, but this looks awesome NOW!

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  11. What a great resource! Thanks for the complete and tantalizing overview.

    Regina @ www.alivinggarden.com

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  12. I would love to read this book, because I have been drawn to the saints recently, and the idea of daily reflections for my "trying-to-find-time-for-it" prayer life sounds very appealing!

    ~Ruth Anne @ HollowayFamilyNorth

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  13. This sounds like something I could do! I don't get to say that very often with a toddler.

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  14. This book is already on my wish-list, and your review made me even more anxious to read it!

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  15. I really enjoy learning about the saints. I like the layout of this book and how it seems to gradually introduce you to each saint.

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  16. I would love this! I'm looking for some devotional reading to help inspire me to be a better mother :-) Thanks for the review, I'm going to check this one out for sure.

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  17. i would absolutely love torread this book. I remember my childhood in Catholic chool reading about all the saints esoecially my patron saint

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