Book Reviews and More: Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto: Shepherds of Fatima - Anne Eileen Heffernan and Patricia Edward Jablonski

Wednesday 7 June 2017

Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto: Shepherds of Fatima - Anne Eileen Heffernan and Patricia Edward Jablonski - Encounter the Saints

Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto:
Shepherds of Fatima
Encounter the Saints Series
Anne Eileen Heffernan
Patricia Edward Jablonski
Mari Goering (Illustrator)
Pauline Books and Media
ISBN 9780819890962

I have now read ten books in the Encounter the Saints Series, from Pauline over the last few months. I have also now read three separate books about Fatima. And this little volume is wonderful in both categories. This book is newly updated, it was originally published in 2000 as Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto. And the obvious reason for the updating was their canonization in May of 2017 by Pope Francis. And this book does an amazing job of telling this incredible story, and telling it in a way that will enthral children, and be informative and entertaining to adults.

The chapters in this book are:
1. Fun and Freedom
2. “Do Not Be Afraid”
3. The Beautiful Lady
4. Jacinta’s “Betrayal”
5. Trials
6. July 13
7. Francisco’s Mission
8. Generous Hearts
9. Prisoners
10. “We’ll Use Force!”
11. The Miracle of the Sun
12. “I Can’t Bless”
13. Mary Comes Again
14. Francisco Goes Home
15. Jacinta Leaves for Heaven
16. Fatima Today
Prayer
Glossary

Unlike many books on Fatima that focus on all three children, but usually focus more on Lúcia Santos because she lived much longer. This volume focuses just on her cousins and their role in the appearances and in spreading the message of Our Lady of Fatima. It is a great book for young readers, for it models to them true devotion to Mary. The need for a focused prayer life even at younger ages. And that following God no matter what the cost will be worth it in the end.

One of the sections of the book that had the greatest impact on me was:

“The same ray of sunlight can have different effects. Passing through an odd-shaped piece of glass, it breaks up into a thousand bright colors. Falling directly on a white wall, it can make that wall as blinding as snow. When passing through a hand or a leaf, sunlight makes the object seem to glow from within.In the same way, Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia responded differently to the same apparitions. Lucia was to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Jacinta was to make reparation for sinners. And Francisco? He would try to console God.”

And each of those three callings are still present in the world, to each of us in differing degrees. This book will provide inspiration; it provides a great example for the young and really for all of us. Another wonderful aspect of this book and the series is the prayer at the end of the book is wonderful; I have prayed it a few times with my children.

PRAYER

Saints Jacinta and Francisco, how wonderful
it must have been to see Mary, the Mother of God!
It took a lot of courage for you to be her messengers,
especially when people refused to believe
you, or made fun of you.
Thank you for bringing us Mary’s important
message about prayer and penance, Jacinta and
Francisco. Help me to pray for the peace that our
world needs so badly. Help me to offer my own
acts of love and sacrifice to make up in some small
way for the sins that offend God and the Blessed
Mother.
You are the two youngest children ever to be
considered for sainthood. Remind me that even
though I’m young, my love and my efforts to be
like Jesus can make a real difference in the world.
Please pray for me, Jacinta and Francisco.
Amen.

The book contains 5 very detailed pencil drawings from Mari Goering. The illustrations provide some details for specific events in the story. But there are not so many illustrations as to make it a picture book.

This is an amazing book in an incredible series. With every new volume that I read I am more inspired. My children and I love these books and believe that if you give them a try they will become favorites for you also.