Monday 7 January 2019

Be Saints! - Amy Welborn and Ann Kissane Engelhart - An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI

Be Saints! 
An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI
Amy Welborn
Ann Kissane Engelhart
Ignatius Press
ISBN 9781586177690
ISBN 9781860827730


Since 2012 I have read a dozen books by Amy Welborn. With every book I read, the more I respect her skill, her talent, and her sharing of the Catholic faith. This book was an excellent read. The day it arrived I read it twice, first by myself and then to my three children ages 12, 10, and 8. All three children loved the book. Not since reading ‘Why Am I Here’ by Matthew Kelly, have my children been so excited about a book, and immediately saw how to apply it. I mentioned I had bought it to give to the kid’s school. And the children loved it so much that plan was squashed. So I now have 2 more copies on order, one for the school and one for the church library. This was the second book I have read about Benedict XVI’s talks in England to students. This one is written for a younger audience than ‘Finding Life's Purpose: Inspiration for Young People’. But both are excellent reads. But back to the specifics about this book. 

In this book Amy Welborn takes excerpts from the talk given by Pope Benedict XVI and picks a quote from a saint along the same line. These are presented on a full two-page spread illustration from Ann Kissane Engelhart. The illustrations are wonderful water color paintings. And Welborn draws from saints both modern and ancient, or verses from the bible. 

The quotes are from:

John 10:10
Blessed John Henry Newman
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Saint Pope John Paul II
Saint Thomas More
Saint Paul - Colossians 3:12
Saint Mother Theresa
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint Peter – Mark 10:28

And the chapters are:

The Big Assembly
Future Saints
Pursue One Goal
True Happiness
Friendship with God
The Practice of Virtue
Reflect His Infinite Goodness
Everything Is Part of the Bigger Picture
Give Yourself Totally To Jesus
Final Blessing

The message in this book is amazing. And the illustrations are exceptional. I admit I had this book on my wish list for while. I thought it was a little pricey for a book I might only read once or twice with my children. But I should have known better, based on the author. This is a wonderful book, for children and for us older readers. I was inspired and challenged by this book. And know it will be one we reread every few months together as a reminder. 

I cannot think of many books I am glad my children love as much as they loved this one. It was an instant family favorite and we plan on sharing it with friends and family. We give it the McEvoy Family seal of approval. Wish there was a way to give it 6 out of 5 stars! 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan



Books by Amy Welborn:
Reconciled to God Daily Lenten Devotions
Wish You Were Here: Travels Through Loss and Hope
A Catholic Woman's Book of Days
de-Coding Da Vinci: The Facts Behind the Fiction of the Da Vinci Code
Loyola Kids Book of Saints
Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints throughout History
Prove It! God
Prove It! Church
Prove It! Jesus
Prove It! The Catholic Teen Bible
Here. Now. a Catholic Guide to the Good Life
The Words We Pray
Praying the Rosary: With the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries
Decoding Mary Magdalene: Truth, Legend, and Lies
Come Meet Jesus: An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI
Be Saints! An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI

Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion
Mary and the Christian Life: Scriptural Reflections on the First Disciple

Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion
Adventures in Assisi: On the Path with St. Francis: On the Path with St. Francis
Prepare Him Room: Advent Family Devotions
Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter 
Parables: Stories of the Kingdom
The Absence of War
Relatable and Authentic, Transparent, So Real
All Will Be Well
Nothing Else Occurs To Me
A Reason for Everything
... 

Prove It Series:
Prove It! God
Prove It! Church
Prove It! Jesus
Prove It! Prayer
Prove It! You
Prove It! The Catholic Teen Bible


Books by Benedict XVI:
The Way of the Cross - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI
Finding Life's Purpose: Inspiration for Young People
Don't Be Afraid To Be Saints - with Pope John Paul II
Confession Advice and Encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI 

From the Depths of Our Hearts - Pope Benedict XVI and Robert Cardinal Sarah
Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers
Way of Calvary: Stations of the Cross 
Spiritual Masters Fathers and Writers of the First Millennium 
Spiritual Masters Medieval Fathers and Writers

Books About Pope Benedict:
Habemus Papam! Pope Benedict XVI - Regina Doman and Sean Lam
Benedict XVI - Helena Scott and Ethel Tolansky
A Pope of Surprises: The First Five Years of Pope Benedict XVI's Papacy - Helena Scott and Ethel Tolansky

Be Saints! An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI - Amy Welborn and Ann Kissane Engelhart
Take Five: Meditations Pope Benedict XVI - Mike Aquilina and Fr. Kris Stubna
Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI talks to Children on Their First Holy Communion – Amy Welborn and Ann Engelhart
... 






No comments: