FINDING PEACE...

Who better to follow my last post about animal-lover James Herriot than St. Francis of Assisi and St. Seraphim of Sarov?

Painting by Marilyn Moyes

THE GOOD MAN OF ASSISI by Mary Joslin, with illustrations by Alison Wisenfeld, for ages 4-8, is a perfect introduction to the story of the life of this peaceful saint of the West and his love for all - but especially, for animals.  It very simply explains how Francis turned from a life of knighthood and war and parties, to a life of poverty, prayer, and devotion to Christ.  The restful watercolor illustrations portray the medieval Italian countryside and St. Francis as its peaceful inhabitant perfectly.  His prayer, "Lord make me an instrument of your peace..." is printed on the last page.







SAINT SERAPHIM'S BEATITUDES:  BLESSINGS FOR OUR PATH TO HEAVEN, by Fr. Daniel Marshall, illustrations by Paul Drozdowski  (Based on the life of the Wonderworker of Sarov).  Ages 4 & up.    Some may not be familiar with St. Seraphim.   He is one of the most renowned Russian monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church.  To many he advised:  "Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved".   He died in 1833.  This book is lavishly detailed and full of the Saint's sayings and events from his life.

Wild animals—bears, rabbits, wolves, foxes and others—came to the hut of this ascetic.