Saint Ignatius of Loyola: For the Greater Glory of God

Encounter the Saints #8

by Donna Giaimo, Patricia Edward Jablonski, Patrick Kelley (Illustrator)

Donna Giaimo, FSP Patricia Edward Jablonski, FSP Encounter the Saints Series Experience the adventures and challenges, heroism and holiness of some of the greatest friends of God! Offers intermediate readers a down-to-earth portrayal of the saints. Each distinct story vividly recreates for the intermediate reader the saint's place of origin, family life, and corresponding historical events. Every volume also features a prayer to the saint, as well as a brief glossary. This collection gives children new friends and role models.

Genres: Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered the Encounter the Saints Series by Pauline Books and Media, by accident. I was looking for another book on Saint Damien of Molokai to read and picked up the one in this series. Since then I have tracked down all 37 books 38 if you include The Saints Pray For Us and we have read 26 and reviewed 20 to date. And my son and I have read about a dozen of them together. And my girls have read about 10 each. The highest praise I can give these books is not only do my children love them, but they want to reread them. We each have our own copy of The Saints Pray For Us, and we have a mix of physical and eBooks for the rest of the series. This is one of 9 books in the series that are only available as a physical book. One of the things that speaks to the strength of these book, is my son has started saving up so he can buy his own physical copies of each book in the series. And he has already asked if we can reread them once we have finished them all.

It is hard on the 20th book in a series to write a review and not just repeat yourself, especially when you like the books so much. When my son asked to read this one next, I was eager to comply. Of the saints in the series I was more familiar with Ignatius of Loyola than many of the other saints before reading their books. I have written papers on the Jesuits when in university, and the Jesuits came up often in a religious studies degree focusing on Roman Catholic Thought, and yet there were a few parts that were presented in this story that were a complete surprise to me. It was wonderful to encounter Ignatius in a new and fresh way. My son was impressed with his humility in going back to school. He relished the communal aspect of the time in Paris and further schooling. We both loved the way the life of this saint was told in this book.

The book is co-written by Donna Giaimo and Patricia Edward Jablonski; this is the only book in the series written by Donna William Giaimo, FSP and Patricia Edward Jablonski FSP has authored or co-authored 6 of the volumes. Patrick Kelley illustrated this volume and also Saint Francis of Assisi Gentle Revolutionary. It is interesting to see the different styles and methods used by the various artists across the series. My son loved the crucifixes in the backgrounds of 2 of the 5 prints in this book. On top of the 5 illustrations that each book in the series has it has a prayer to that specific saint. The prayer to Ignatius of Loyola is:

"Saint Ignatius, you loved excitement, adventures, and challenges. And you found them all when you handed your life over to God.

Once you wrote a prayer surrendering everything you had to the Lord- your freedom, your memory, your understanding, and even your will. All you asked for in return was God's love and grace.

Help me to realize that when I have God and his love, I have everything. I want to listen to God in my heart as you did. I want to say yes to whatever he asks of me. Help me to live the Gospel and to follow Jesus as closely as you did. Pray for me, Saint Ignatius. Amen."

The prayer in this volume is the same one in The Saints Pray For Us, Some of the prayers in that book are different and some are similar and a few like this one is nearly identical.

My son and I are already reading another volume in this amazing series. But this book specifically he asked if we could read it again soon. It really spoke to his heart. This book will move the hearts of readers of all ages.

I have read the majority of this series, and many of those multiple times now. Each book challenges my faith, and teaches me from the example in that volume. Even though I was very familiar with Ignatius of Loyola and his story, this book helped me appreciate his faith and obedience even more. And it is a lesson I need in my life and that I hope to instil in my children.

This book is part of the Encounter the Saints Series; from Pauline Books and Media, and this book and the entire series are excellent resources for Catholics of all ages! And we hop the series will continue to grow.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Pauline Books and Media, especially the Encounter the Saints Series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Leslea Wahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Pauline Books and Media is relatively short but offers a wonderful depiction of this holy man’s life. Inigo, who grew up in the early 1500s, came from a well-off family. As a boy, he longed for a life of adventure, defending his beloved country of Spain as a soldier. However, a serious battle injury changed this young man’s life forever. During his long recovery, he was stuck with nothing to do but read. The only two books available to him were a book about the life of Christ and one about the lives of the saints. These books led him on an unusual journey of faith to change his name, give up his worldly possessions, and eventually become a priest who founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to the life of an incredible saint.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about St. Ignatius Loyola was a lot more focused and fast-paced than the Vision Books offering, and the prayer at the end reminded me of the prayer he composed (which I learned in college at my Newman Center as a song: Take Lord, Receive).

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't have timed my finishing of the book better than to finish it on St. Ignatius' feast day!

[Christopher Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book! Taught me a lot about St. Ignatius of Loyola for a school project.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book because I got to know about a saint.

[Helen Grothe]

Saint Ignatius of Loyola started the the Jesuit. The book was about his life. Her leadd a life ddevotedd to Jesus. Reading about the livess off Saints gives up iinsight into what lie was many years ago