Illustrated

Catherine Beebe presents a dramatic account of the incredible life of St. Dominic in this tenth title in the popular Vision Books series of saints for youth 9 - 15 years old. As a young priest, Dominic sat all night at a wooden table in a village tavern. He preached the truths of the Church to an embittered inn-keeper and, in the morning, joyfully received the man again into the faith of his fathers. This was the beginning of the great preaching career of Saint Dominic, the "Athlete of Christ" and founder of the order which bears his name.

Saint Dominic led a life of excitement and adventure. As a boy he sold his books to feed the poor and offered himself as ransom for a prisoner. As a young priest he rode with a king's cavalcade to carry a marriage offer to the princess of Denmark from the prince of Castile. But his greatest adventures came when he walked from town to town and preached the word of God and the power of the Holy Rosary prayer.

The work of the thousands of Dominican priests and sisters all over the world stands today-seven centuries later-as a living memorial to the sanctity of their founder.

Cover art by Chris Pelicano

This richly illustrated hardcover book tells the fascinating and deeply inspiring story of Pope John Paul II, who will be canonized a saint in April 2014.

Born in Poland, Karol Wojtyla witnessed the invasion of his country first by the Nazis and then by the Soviets. During the drama of these war years, the athletic and brilliant student defied the German occupiers of his homeland and entered the underground seminary.

As a young priest and then as a young bishop, Karol stood up to the communists controlling his country. With a love for sports and the outdoors, he accompanied young people on ski trips and canoeing adventures in order to lead them closer to God.

In 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla became one of the youngest popes in history. Like no other pope before him, he travelled all over the world to bring the good news of Jesus to peoples of every land. He continued his outreach to young people by starting World Youth Day.

Young people will be drawn to the well-crafted pictures and simple text that tells the dramatic and inspiring story of one of the most important figures of the twentieth century, one that many are already calling "John Paul the Great".

Born into an upper class family in Castile, Spain, Gonzalo de Yepes had good prospects - that is, until his father was ruined in a speculative venture. After his father died a pauper, Gonzalo was welcomed into the home of a rich uncle, who intended him to marry one of his younger daughters. The young man would have been set up for life, but he fell in love with Catalina Alvarez, the ward of a poor weaver, and insisted on marrying her despite his uncle's threats to cut him off from the family fortune.

Thus, Gonzalo and Catalina were wed in simplicity, and their union produced three sons, the youngest of whom came to be known as Saint John of the Cross.

Stories of saints do not often begin with their parents' courtship. But in this historical novel, love is at the very center of the drama, for Saint John of the Cross became one of the Church's foremost experts on intimacy with God. His mystical poems on divine love are considered some of the greatest verses ever written in the Spanish language.

Richly drawn against the backdrop of Spain's Golden Age, the novel follows the joys and hardships experienced by the family of young Juan de Yepes Alvarez. His attraction to doing good for others, his call to the priesthood and his entrance into the Carmelites all unfold with captivating style. Testing Saint John to the utmost were his efforts, along with those of Saint Teresa of Avila, to reform the Carmelite Order. His Brothers in religion harshly resisted him, locking him in a cell where he was frequently beaten and nearly starved to death. In spite of all, this ardent and fascinating man would write: "Where there is no love, put love and you will gain love."

One of 101 titles in the St. Joseph Picture Book Series, this book by beloved author Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D. introduces Catholic children to Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland. Among the features of this book are:

• a brief and easy-to-read biography on the life and influence of Saint Patrick, a very beloved Catholic Saint
• Vibrant full-color illustrations
• durably sewn paperback binding

This title concludes with the Prayer of the Church to St. Patrick.

People of all religions and ages can be inspired by the devotion, sacrifice, and love of God of the men and women saints and martyrs included in this book. It contains the biographies of the Saints of North and South America, and Canada and is beautifully illustrated. Hardcover.