Hot off the presses from Franciscan Media’s Servant Books, here’s Catholic blogger Jean Heimann’s Seven Saints for Seven Virtues! And you can WIN a copy right here!
I’ve followed Jean’s blog, Catholic Fire, for years; the same careful scholarship and fervent faith she shows in the blog is revealed in this book.
What it’s all about: This book examines seven saints of the Church in association with a virtue for which each one is known.
- Charity: Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
- Chastity: Saint Agnes
- Diligence: Saint Pope John Paul II
- Humility: Saint Joseph
- Kindness: Saint Catherine of Siena
- Patience: Saint Monica
- Temperence: Saint Augustine
What’s inside: A thoughtful foreword by Lisa Hendey of CatholicMom.com, Jean’s own introduction to the book, and a short bio of each saint, supplemented by a discussion of that saint’s particular virtue, quotes by or about the saint, information from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Jean’s reflection on the model of each virtue in her own life, suggestions for practicing each virtue, and a prayer at the end of every chapter. There’s also a generous Recommended Reading list in case you want to learn more.
Why I love it: Saints are often depicted as if they’re so holy, they’re almost not human. That’s not the case with this book. Jean brings out each saint’s special virtue and starts the reader on the path toward living that particular virtue.
How to read it: I’ll admit that after reading the foreword and the introduction, I skipped straight to Saint Monica’s chapter, because patience is one of those virtues that I really have trouble displaying. This book gave me a new perspective on what patience actually involves (hint: it’s more than just being peaceful about waiting in line). You don’t have to read this book in a straight line from start to finish. Choose the saint whose virtues you need the most right now. Start there, and you won’t want to stop reading about the other saints whose virtues Jean highlights!
Try this: Take this book to Eucharistic Adoration. In the space of one Holy Hour, you can read, pray and reflect on a saint and a virtue. Bring along your journal and resolve to work toward developing that virtue in your own life.
How to win a book: Just leave a comment with a valid email address answering this question: who’s your go-to saint?
The winner will be chosen at random from all entries at the conclusion of Jean’s book tour on Thursday, October 23. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond and claim the prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.
Follow along with the tour. Here are the other stops on the Seven Saints for Seven Virtues Book Tour. Many of these are offering giveaways of the book as well!
Monday, Oct. 13 — Plot Line and Sinker Ellen Gable
Tuesday, Oct. 14 —Contemplative Homeschool Connie Rossini
Thursday, Oct. 16 — Can we Cana? Karee Santos
Friday, Oct. 17 — Bergers Book Reviews Alice Berger
Saturday, Oct. 18 — Seven Angels Four Kids One Family Jane Lebak
Sunday, Oct. 19 — Spiritual Woman Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Monday, Oct. 20 — Cause of our Joy Leticia Velasquez
Tuesday, Oct. 21 —View from the Domestic Church Donna-Marie Cooper-O’Boyle
Wednesday, Oct. 22 — Entering into the Mystery Janet Moore
Seven Saints for Seven Virtues is available on Amazon as a paperback or ebook (my advice: get the paperback! You’ll want to write in the margins and highlight the parts that speak most to you.) Your purchase of this book through my Amazon affiliate link helps defray the cost of this website!
Thank you for your wonderful review, Barb, and for hosting the blog tour today! God bless you!
God bless your beautiful work and tour!
Catherine of Siena, love everything about her except the long term fasting.
That would be a deal-breaker for me too, Deanna! 🙂
St.Michael the Archangel always helps me in hard times, and in little struggles as well.
St. Anthony…He was a favorite of my Grandmother, and he continually helps me in so many ways. I feel very close to him.
Congratulations, Julie, you are the winner of the book! I will contact you via email to get your details.
This is a great review! Jean is awesome, and I too read her blog quite frequently! St. Francis of Assisi is my go-to saint, since he’s my patron, but St. Joseph of Cupertino is also up there, since I’m a student and need all the help I can get : )
Thank you for a great review! Jean is wonderful, and I always love reading her blog as well!
My go-to saint is St. Francis of Assisi, since he’s my confirmation saint. Also, St. Joseph of Cupertino, because I’m a student and need all the help I can get : )
St.Therese, my confirmation saint and St. Gerard Majella. He looks out for us mothers.
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