June – An Open Book #anopenbook

Today, I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading and working on for the past month.

Gracie Glory and the Saint Stories by Jenna Epkey

Synopsis: Meet “Gracie Glory” as she journeys through her daily life as a Catholic school student. This delightful children’s book introduces young readers to the extraordinary lives of Catholic saints. Written with a captivating blend of storytelling, this cute book captures the saints’ life in a way that will capture the hearts and imaginations of children.

As you read about Gracie Glory’s everyday life, she will be introduced to these holy men and women by her parents, teachers, and more. She will learn valuable lessons about kindness, courage, and compassion. The book celebrates the saints’ extraordinary deeds by making their stories relatable to young readers.

“Gracie Glory and the saint stories” is a heartwarming tale that introduces the joy of learning about Catholic saints, inspiring children to embrace virtue and compassion. With an engaging storyline, “Gracie Glory” encourages children to discover the beauty of faith and the importance of virtue.

This charming book series is a must-have for families, schools, and religious educators seeking to share the timeless wisdom of Catholic saints with the next generation.

Check out more books from this series to learn more about other saints.

Perfect for early readers, ages 5-9, but enjoyed by many.

My review: This is a cute chapter book that most kids would enjoy reading.

Escape from Natura Meta by Jesus Conchola Sanchez

Synopsis: Gabriel is a boy born into the Natura Meta tribe ruled by The Council, where faith has been replaced by the pursuit of the “benefit of all.” He’s slated to transition to female to meet a societal quota. Beatriz, his ancestor, appears in his dreams. She helps him discover his faith against an apocalyptic backdrop of tyranny disguised as “benefit of all.” He escapes into an unknown world to fulfill a mission. The Creole in Louisiana teach him their ways. He begins to take his own steps as a man. He finds his first love in the desert among the Jews. The cowboys in Texas enslave him. Gabriel grows in freedom as the cycle of being wounded and healing, the cycle of mourning and moving forward, make him stronger. He begins weak and ignorant, but he becomes an authority with the help of the many teachers he comes across. In Mexico, he finds what he has been looking for. He builds a community of Christians in a godless world. Natura Meta puts a ransom on his head. He is a wanted man and must return to his tribe of origin to fight for true freedom. The war against Natura Meta begins.

My review: I enjoyed this dystopian novel. The story was engaging, the setting descriptive, and the characters were well-developed. Recommend.

Divine Mercy for Moms: Sharing the Lessons of St. Faustina by Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet

Synopsis: Originating in the early twentieth century, the Divine Mercy devotion of St. Faustina Kowalska is one of the most celebrated of all Catholic devotions. In this, their first book, Catholic bloggers and speakers Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet break open the history, practices, and prayers associated with the devotion, guiding busy moms to receive God’s message of Divine Mercy and pass it on to others through their words, deeds, and prayers.

In her famous Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, St. Faustina Kowalska recorded a series of visions of Jesus where he revealed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and promised that anything can be obtained with the prayer if it is compatible with his will. St. John Paul II formally established the Divine Mercy devotion and canonized Faustina in 2000. The Marians of the Immaculate Conception are dedicated to spreading the Divine Mercy devotion the foreword for this book was written by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of Divine Mercy Explained and 33 Days to Morning Glory.

In Divine Mercy for Moms, Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet of the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference—one of the largest annual Catholic women’s conferences in the country—draw upon their own experiences to introduce you to St. Faustina and her five essential elements of the Divine Mercy message:

The image of the Merciful JesusThe Feast of Divine MercyThe Chaplet of Divine MercyThe House of MercySpreading the honor of Divine Mercy

With heartwarming stories and practical advice, this book reveals that mercy is not just a gift to be received in the confessional but a spiritual resource that strengthens those who extend themselves in word, deed, and prayer. Designed for personal or group study, Divine Mercy for Moms celebrates the infinite mercy of God and the role of Mary, the Mother of Mercy, in the lives of all believers.

Divine Mercy for Moms was the winner of a 2017 Catholic Press Association Book Award: Family Life (Third Place).

My review: This is a beautiful book that introduces mothers to St. Faustina and the essential elements of the Divine Mercy message. Highly recommend!