Book Reviews and More: George: Patron of England - J.B. Midgley

George: Patron of England
CTS Great Saints
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860824593
CTS Booklet B695

In just over the last 2 years I have read over 100 books from the Catholic Truth society. This was the fifth volume by Midgley that I have read, and the first in the Great Saints Series. I have read many in the Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series. And have loved most of them. Now after reading this volume am I not only trying to track down all the 26 books written by Midgley for the CTS, but have now added several others in this series to my wish list. But back to this volume. This book was published in 2007. To date I believe there has only been the single printing and there is no eBook edition.

The back of the volume states:

“Images of Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon are well known. What of his life, his story, his context, his links to England, his place in the liturgy? St George appears in verse, art and drama. There are well known devotions associated with him. All this and more is explored in this highly informative booklet.”

After having read this booklet I agree it is highly informative. My grandmother, though an Anglican, and not Catholic, always instilled a devotion in me to Saint George. In My teen years I wore a Saint George medallion she purchased for me. It has been lost in time, but my appreciation and devotion to the saint has waxed and waned over the years. But once I saw that this one was of Midgley’s books I tried hard to track down a copy to read. The chapters in the volume are:

England’s Patron
Why patron Saints?
The Life of Saint George
Devotion to Saint George
The Dragon in Saint John’s Book of Revelation
Chivalry
Saint George, Patron and Titular Guardian
The Feast of Saint George
The orders of Saint George
Saint George in Art, Drama, and Verse.

A few years ago, Dr. Taylor Marshall wrote a trilogy of epic historical fiction on the life of Saint George beginning with Sword and Serpent. That series renewed my interest in this saint. And this little volume has sparked those flames even more.

Often when I read one of the CTS booklets, I find a prayer I really like and add it to my list of prayers. There were several in this book, but none of them really grabbed my attention. But as mentioned this book has and I plan on reading further into the history of Saint George and his legacy. Unlike many of the CTS booklets this volume did not have a bibliography at the end to use as a jumping off point for that further study. But the Acknowledgements at the beginning does list 13 books, 3 or 4 of which might prove good starting points for further exploration.

I believe I fell away from devotion to George when reading a lot of Irish history, and about the oppression and abuse of the Irish and Scottish at the hands of the English. This volume has helped me to reconnect with the Saint. I am thankful that I was able to track this book down, and for having read it. It is another excellent, well researched, and crafted book by J.B. Midgley. It is another excellent read from both Midgley and the Catholic Truth Society.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books about Saint George:

George: Patron of England - J. B. Midgley - CTS Great Saints

Saint George Patron Saint of England - Lois Rock

Saint George Dragon Slayer - Jeannie Meekins - 15-Minute Books Book 613

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Prayer of the day Saint George of England

Prayer of the day Another Prayer to Saint George of England

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