Book Reviews and More: Saint Maximilian Kolbe Mary's Knight - Patricia Edward Jablonski and Karen Ritz

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Saint Maximilian Kolbe Mary's Knight - Patricia Edward Jablonski and Karen Ritz - Encounter the Saints Series Book 10

Saint Maximilian Kolbe:
Mary's Knight
Encounter the Saints Series Book 10
Patricia Edward Jablonski FSP
Karen Ritz (Illustrator)
Pauline Books and Media
ISBN 9780819870452

My children and I love this series. I discovered the Encounter the Saints Series by Pauline Books and Media, by chance. 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 24 and reviewed 18 to date. My only wish is that eBooks of all volumes would become available. With the eBooks each child can read at their own pace in a way that is more difficult with physical books. This is one of the volumes that is only available as a physical book. Sister Patricia Edward Jablonski has written or co-written 6 of the volumes in the series. And illustrator Karen Ritz, has illustrated 2 of the volumes.

I have typically read these books myself and then reread them with one of more of my children, currently ages 11, 10, and 7. Because this is only available as a physical book it was on the top of a to be read pile beside my bed. My son, the middle child asked about it. We started reading it together, at first alternating pages and then with just me reading out loud to him. We devoured the book in a single sitting. He kept asking for one more chapter. And when we finished read the first chapter of Saint Ignatius of Loyola: For the Greater Glory of God. It is very different reading these books by myself as opposed to reading it together with a child.

Both my younger two children were fascinated by the two crowns offered to Maximilian. This book does an incredible job of telling his story. It tells it in a saw that will captivate and keep the attention of children, but also written in such a way that adults will love reading it with or to children, or even just reading it by themselves. That is the greatest strength of this book and the series, they can be read an appreciated by anyone.

Like all the books in this series this book contains 5 illustrations. I believe they are pencil drawings. And the shading and subtleties in the prints is wonderful. The book also contains a prayer to Saint Maximillian Kolbe:

Saint, Maximilian, thank you for your powerful example of love. You loved the Lord and his Mother Mary with all your heart. Your love made you discover new ways to bring people closer to God. It kept you peaceful and hopeful during the terrible sufferings of the concentration camp. It even gave you the courage to lay down your life for a man you didn't know.

I have many chances every day to show my love for God and my neighbor. But sometimes it's hard to love.

Saint Maximilien, I know that you understand. Remind me that Mary is always eager to help me and lead me closer to Jesus. With Jesus and Mary, I want to live and love as you did. Please pray for me. Amen.

The prayer in this volume is the same one for Saint Maximilian Kolbe 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. The chapters in this book are:

The Red and the White
Latin to the Rescue
Decisions
The Sign
To the City of St. Peter
Heaven - So Soon?
A Soldier for his lady
On Fire with love
A Second Wonder - and the Cross
Mary's Magazine
Sharing the Master's Wealth
Trapped!
A Statue and a Conquest
Niepokalanow
The Lesson of the Vs
Exile
On Mission to Calvary
"I Believe!"
In Mary's Hands
Both Crowns at last
Prayer
Glossary

As soon as we finished this book, my son asked if he could put it in his prayer corner in his room. Not a painting behind the fridge like Maximilian, but his spot in his room with prayer cards, rosary, … where he goes to pray. And this book reminded us again of the power of prayer and obedience. May Maximilian's example help us to trust and rely on Jesus and Mary in all things.

I have now read 25 separate titles in this series, and most of those at least twice or even three times. With every book I read I appreciate the series more. As previously mentioned this book is part of the Encounter the Saints Series; from Pauline Books and Media, and this book is an amazing read as is the entire series! As a family gives them a solid five stars. I love reading these books with my children, and this time it was my first time reading it. My oldest who is 11 often reads them to the younger children, and my 10 year old can read them with some help on names and a few harder words. My 7 year old loves listening to these book no matter who is reading them to her. I am so thankful for this book and the series that opens the live of so many saints for my children and myself. Another excellent book in an amazing series, and we hope there will be many more.

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