Seven Saints for Boys:
A First Communion Collection of Courage and Faith
Paddy Bréagnamh
Mini Saints & Missionaries Library
ISBN 9798899681332
ASIN B0GZGW97YN
ASIN B0GZFMV6DY
This new volume in this series is a little different. There are currently 11 volumes available in this series dedicated to specific saints and 3 the focus on 52 female saints. I have enjoyed them a lot and keep checking for when new ones are released. I have benefited from reading them all and recommended each of them to several people. I especially loved the volume on Pope Leo XIV. This volume I picked up shortly after it released. It was released in 2026. The description of the book is:
“A First Communion gift that goes beyond the day itself.
Most First Communion gifts are remembered for a moment. This one is meant to be used.
If you are looking for something meaningful—something a boy can come back to after the celebration is over—this collection is built for that purpose.
Inside are seven true stories from the Mini Saints Library, carefully selected for boys. Each story centers on a turning point: The moment when faith had to be lived out, not just learned.
• Saint Sebastian stood firm under pressure
• Saint Thomas the Apostle wrestled with doubt and chose belief
• Saint Patrick chose forgiveness and returned to serve
• Saint Lorenzo Ruiz remained faithful when his life was at risk
• Saint Andrew Kim Taegon crossed mountains to answer a calling
• Venerable Augustus Tolton persevered when doors kept closing
• Saint Carlo Acutis showed that holiness is possible in ordinary life
These are not distant or abstract examples. They are clear, concrete stories of courage, resilience, and conviction, written in a way young readers can understand and return to.
Designed with First Communion in mind, this book includes:
• Seven complete saint stories selected for appeal to boys
• Global & diverse scope
• A clear introduction to the meaning of First Communion
• Simple, accessible prayers for before and after receiving the Eucharist
• Reflection prompts to help connect each story to real-life choices
• A “Be a Saint Today” guide for everyday action
This is not a book that gets set aside after the day is over. It is a book a child can return to—when something is difficult, when a choice matters, or when faith starts to become personal.
A thoughtful, lasting First Communion gift for boys—one that continues to matter after the celebration is over.”
I now know that the author, Paddy Bréagnamh, is a pen name, I can only find these volumes in this series and the previous one on Saint Patrick in several bookstores online. This volume is a compilation of 7 of the previous volumes in the collection. It is available as an eBook, paperback, and a hardback.
The chapters and sections in the volume are:
Before You Begin
Saint Sebastian
Introduction
1. A Soldier in the Greatest Army in the World
2. The Secret Mission
3. The Secret Comes Out
4. Left for Dead
5. The Return
6. A Saint for Soldiers, Athletes, and the Sick
7. Stand Firm Like Sebastian
Reflection Questions
Biographical Timeline
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon
Introduction
1. Born In Secret Faith
2. A Dangerous Dream
3. Over The Mountains
4. Far From Home
5. The First Korean Priest
6. Faith In Hiding
7. Captured
8. Martyrdom And Sainthood
9. Be Brave Like Andrew
Reflection Questions
Biographical Timeline
Glossary
Saint Carlo Acutis
Introduction
1. A Kid Like You
2. A Heart For God
3. The Website
4. A Big Challenge
5. Going Home
6. A Future Saint
7. Saint Carlo Acutis
8. Be Brave Like Carlo
Reflection Questions
Biographical Timeline
Glossary
Saint Patrick
Introduction
1. When Patrick Was Taken
2. Taken Across the Sea
3. Learning to Pray in the Quiet
4. A Voice That Said, “Go”
5. Called to Return
6. A Shepherd of God’s People
7. Why the World Remembers Saint Patrick
8. Forgive Like Saint Patrick
Reflection Questions
Biographical Timeline
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila
Introduction
1. A Boy from Binondo
2. A Family Man with Big Dreams
3. A Dangerous Accusation
4. A Voyage of Faith
5. Captured in Japan
6. A Courageous Choice
7. A Hero’s Legacy
8. Be Brave Like Lorenzo
Reflection Questions
Biographical Timeline
Glossary
Saint Thomas the Apostle
What If You Had Questions?
1. Before He Followed
2. The One Who Asked Questions
3. The Day Everything Changed
4. Seeing—And Believing
5. A Mission to the Ends of the Earth
6. Planting Seeds in India
7. Martyr and Saint
8. His Legacy Lives On
Reflection Questions
Biographical Timeline
Glossary
Venerable Augustus Tolton
Introduction
1. Born Into Chains
2. A Brave Escape
3. Learning in Secret
4. No Room at the Seminary
5. Priest at Last
6. Back to Quincy
7. A Church for All People
8. A Holy Legacy
9. Be Like Venerable Augustus Tolton
Biographical Timeline
Glossary
Be Like a Saint Today
Stay Close to Jesus
Choose What is Right
Be King on Purpose
Keep Going When It’s Hard
Begin Again
A Simple Way to Remember
Prayers
Before Receiving Holy Communion
A Simple Prayer
After Receiving Holy Communion
A Prayer Of Thanksgiving
A Prayer For Everyday Faith
A Short Prayer To Remember
The Before you Begin section in this volume states:
“This is an important moment in your life. Your First Communion is not just a day on the calendar, not just something you do once and move on from. It is the beginning of something. For the first time, you will receive Jesus in the Eucharist. That means you are being invited into a closer friendship with Him. Not someday. Not when you are older. Now. That might feel exciting, or a little mysterious, or it might raise questions you are not sure how to ask yet. That is fine. Every saint in this book began somewhere too.”
“Saint Sebastian held his ground when it cost him everything. Saint Thomas asked honest questions, and then believed with his whole heart. Saint Patrick chose forgiveness when it would have been easier to stay angry. Saint Lorenzo Ruiz stayed faithful even in the face of fear. Saint Andrew Kim Taegon crossed frozen mountains alone, because people back home were waiting for a priest. Venerable Augustus Tolton trusted God when door after door closed in his face. Saint Carlo Acutis discovered that even an ordinary life becomes extraordinary when it is lived close to Jesus.”
“First Communion is part of that same journey. When you receive the Eucharist, you are not just remembering Jesus. You are receiving Him. That means you do not walk alone, you do not have to figure everything out on your own, and you do not have to be perfect before you begin. You just have to take the next step.”
I highlighted those three sections in this section and could have easily highlighted the whole thing. I also highlighted:
“You don’t have to wait to be older to begin. You don’t have to be perfect. Sainthood begins with small choices—made again and again.”
I have reviewed each of the volumes separately so did not include quotes for the chapters on the Seven Saints.
I am well beyond the recommended age for this book and series, being in my mid-50’s. In fact the youngest of my four children are 15 and 18, and they have both read books in this series and enjoyed them as well. This book and series are great read for the young and the young at heart! I would love to see how the author would handle Pier Giorgio Frassati, Charles de Foucauld, John Henry Newman, and many of my other favourite saints. But these books are so go no matter who is profiled next I know I will pick it up.
That being said this volume would be a great gift for first communion or even confirmation. It would be an excellent addition to any home, school, or church library. This latest release in this series, is another fantastic read, and combines 7 of the previous volumes. The series keeps getting better and better. It was an excellent read in a great series.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books in the Mini Saints & Missionaries Library Series:
…
Lives of Women Saints: 52 True Stories of Courage, Faith, and Character
The Lives of Women Saints Coloring & Activity Book
The Lives of Women Saints Workbook
...
