Book Review - The Day-by-Day Coloring Book of Saints, Volume 1 and 2

The Day-by Day Coloring Book of Saints, Volume 1 and 2

 by Anna Maria Mendell, illustrated by Mary MacArthur, Sophia Institute Press, 2019.

Review by Rosa M. Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mom of two.

    I should probably have had my eleven year old twin daughters write this review.  For as soon as we received the box from Sophia Institute Press with the coloring books they could not put them down.  The books contain a one page saint biography written for children and a coloring page of the saint.  The books kept both daughters deeply immersed in their reading for more than an hour.

    The stories are engaging and the appealing illustrations contain interesting details that capture the attention of the child.  Volume 1 contains the saints whose feast days are from January to June, and Volume 2 contains the July to December feast days.  Some saints included in Volume 1 are St. John Neumann, St. Marianne Cope, St. Gianna Molla, St. Josephine Bakhita.  Volume 2 includes St. Junipero Serra, St. Maria Goretti, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Maximillian Kolbe, and St. Margaret Ward.

    These coloring books are simple enough for very young children to enjoy while the parent reads aloud the saint story.  They are also detailed enough for pre-teens.

    We really enjoyed these coloring books.  They will make excellent birthday or feast day gifts for any child.

Book Review - Maximilian Kolbe, The Saint of Auschwitz, by Jean-Francois Vivier

Maximilian Kolbe, The Saint of Auschwitz, by Jean-Francois Vivier


Illustrated by Denoel, Sophia Institute Press, 2019.

Review by Rosa M. Sautner, Catholic Homeschooling mother of two.

    St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of our favorite saints so we were very excited when a graphic novel of his life was published by Sophia Institute Press.  Father Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan and a modern day saint who died in Auschwitz in 1941.  His life of charity and selfless dedication to the Immaculate Mother of God was crowned by the heroic offering of his life to save another prisoner.

    The author was given access to the photographs in the archives of Niepokalanow.  The illustrations are life-like and accurate.  Some actual photographs are included at the end of the book.  We were thrilled that there were some photos we had never seen before.

    The book begins with Father Kolbe's self-offering to save the life of another condemned prison, Francis Gajowniczek.  It then weaves Father Kolbe's life story as his remembrances to another prisoner in the starvation bunker in Auschwitz.

    The book ends with the triumph of Father Kolbe in the bunker and his glorious canonization by Pope St. John Paul II in 1982.

    We love Father Kolbe, his life and death are a great inspiration and light for our dark times.  Maximilian Kolbe, The Saint of Auschwitz is a moving, beautifully illustrated and historically accurate book.  If your child is of a sensitive nature, it would be wise to read through it together with a parent.  Otherwise, it is an outstanding book, sure to inspire young people to a life of self-sacrifice and love for Mary Immaculate.

A Devotional Journey into the Mass by Christopher Carstens, Foreword by Dan Burke. Sophia Institute Press. 2017

Most of us enter Church and never give a thought to the symbolism of this simple act.  We make the sign of the cross as we have been taught since childhood almost mechanically.  We participate in the Mass but are we really entering into it fully conscious of the profound symbolism of each physical act we make?

Christopher Carstens is the Director of the Office for Sacred Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin.  He was commissioned to write this book following the inspiration Dan Burke had with Romano Guardini's book entitled Sacred Signs.  The Mass must be prayed fully conscious of the mystery that is behind the physical outward signs and symbols. 

The chapters include how to enter the church building, how to make the sign of the cross and pray the opening prayer, how to listen to the readings and participate in the Eucharistic Prayer, how to receive Communion to the fullest and how to respond to the dismissal.

In addition to these beautiful and enlightening chapters, Mr. Carstens adds a summary at the end of each chapter to help put the suggestions into practice.

This book is highly recommended.  It will help the thoughtful reader pray each Mass more devotedly and reverently.

Review by Rosa M. Sautner, Catholic Homeschooling mother of two in New Jersey

Book Review - Conquering Coronavirus by Teresa Tomeo. Sophia Institute Press. 2020

On the Feast Day of St. Joseph this year, Teresa Tomeo lost her mother to the current coronavirus pandemic.  Through the pain of her loss and the complications of social distancing she found strength in her faith.

In this lovely book, Teresa has carefully put together a well-researched summary of how this pandemic has wreaked havoc on the world in general and on each family whose lives have been touched by sickness and death.  She speaks from her experience and from her heart.

The reader will find in this well-organized book practical advice and Biblical inspiration on how to remain faithful and optimistic in the face of this pandemic.

More importantly this book is about encouragement during this difficult time of the current crisis.  It is also a book of spiritual and material resources to help the reader with practical applications of their faith.

Review by Rosa M. Sautner,
Catholic homeschooling mother of two in New Jersey

Book Review -A Year with Fr. Rutler, Volume II: Lent, Easter, and Spring

Sophia Institute Press, 2019 

This is the first book by Fr. George Rutler that I have read.  It has been a wonderful experience to read such beautifully written meditations from such a well-educated and faithful priest.  Fr. Rutler is a convert to Catholicism from the Episcopalian priesthood and a graduate of Dartmouth College who also holds degrees from the Gregorian and Angelicum Universities in Rome.

A Year with Fr. Rutler, Volume II,  is a collection of more than ninety meditations for Lent, Easter and the Ascension of our Lord.  Father has a broad world-view,  a vast knowledge of contemporary issues, and a great love of the Catholic faith.  Each mediation will encourage you to think deeply on current issues as well as learn more about the Scriptures and Catholic faith issues.

This volume is greatly uplifting in its encouraging reflections, but it also brings the reader back down to earth with clear and perceptive interpretations of current events in the Church and in the world.  This is a recommended read for Lent, Easter or anytime of the year.

Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mother of two in New Jersey.

Book Review -Lord, Teach Us to Pray, An Anthology, by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

by Rosa M. Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mom of two.

This is a beautiful collection of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's reflections on prayer.  His lessons on prayers are carefully ordered and arranged to help the reader understand what it means to pray, how best to do so, and what means we may use to foster a deeper relationship with God.

The first chapter gives the Archbishop's sermons on the Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross.  The mediations are profound thoughts from someone who has deeply pondered the Passion of our Lord.

The second chapter explains the relationship between Calvary and the Mass.  It is a Missal Companion that offers meditations on the main parts of the Mass.

The third chapter explains the importance of the daily Holy Hour, offering seven meditations and reflections that can be used during a Holy Hour.

The fourth chapter includes the Archbishop's beautiful thoughts on each Station of the Cross.

The fifth chapter offers various reflections on different aspects of the spiritual life, such as faith, prayer and sacrifice, the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.

The sixth and final chapter includes various prayers taken from different saints to be used as starting points for personal prayer and meditation.

This is a lovely and comprehensive selection of Archbishop Sheen's thoughts and counsels on prayer.  It will make a fitting companion to any collection of the Archbishop's books as well as an excellent source of meditation during Lent and Holy Week.