by Julia Harrell
I bought this book as a baptismal anniversary gift. It's a book in three parts, each one devoted to cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance), theological virtues (faith, hope, love), and "Little" virtues (humility, obedience, patience, gentleness). Each chapter first defines the virtue, tells the story of a saint who exemplifies the virtue, includes a short prayer, and some leading questions encouraging the reader to grow in that virtue.
The saints are a good mix of familiar and less common ones: Pope St. John Paul II but also St. Charbel Markhlouf, for example.
There were two points I noted that might need discussion. In the story for fortitude and Saints Peter yu Tae-chol and Agatha Yi, I would have appreciated, for this age, an explicit statement in the text that turning yourself in during a persecution is not necessary; that God wants us to live. Later, in the chapter on love, Bl. Chiara Badano visits a friend with chicken pox when everyone else stays away because they are afraid to catch the disease. A year ago, I wouldn't have noticed it, but in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I think you might want to mention that it is also sometimes an act of charity to act to limit the spread of disease. Those are good opportunities for discussions, though.
The chapter on Bl. Dina Belanger was one of my favorites, one I think particularly suited to children. Her obedience to her spiritual director and her parents in the timing of her entrance to religious life is rewarded with a glimpse of the way God can work in our lives.
The description recommends it for children aged 9 to 11. That seems about right to me. I've added it to my son's list for spiritual reading this year; he's 10. It's an excellent book on the virtues, though it does seem a little bland sometimes compared to some of the more beautiful older books we have read. I'm not replacing anything in our lessons, just adding this as an option for him to take to adoration and read silently before Jesus in the Eucharist.
I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I purchased this book new. Links to Bookshop and Amazon are affiliate links.
