Giorgio's Miracle - Laurie Schmitt

Giorgio's Miracle

Laurie Schmitt

Marian Press

ISBN 9781596145191

This was the third volume by Laurie Schmitt I have read and I believe that currently there are only three available. I read the first two that are available electronically just week’s apart. I waited for an eBook edition of this one to be released for a while. I picked up a physical copy eventual and it sat on the side of my desk for 6 months because of how much I prefer eBooks, mainly because of my dyslexia. I took it with me when I went away for a weekend, and read it in a few sittings in under 24 hours. The book is written for tweens, teen, and young adults. But it is well enough written that any reader could enjoy the story. The overview of the story on the publishers site states:

“In this charming work of historical fiction, we meet Giorgio, the widowed blacksmith's son, and his beloved donkey, Franca. As they go about their daily routine of work and play, little do they suspect they're about to have an extraordinary encounter with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”

The description on the back of the book states:

“Meet young Giorgio. He's the son of a blacksmith, lives in medieval Turin, Italy, and loves his pet donkey, Franca. 

Together they go charging around Giorgio's hometown, running errands, performing for his neighbors, and generally having a great time with his friends. But his father hasn't been the same since his mother's death, and Giorgio, his family, and the whole town of Turin could use a miracle. 

Then, one day, Franca runs away. Giorgio prays for heavenly help - a prayer that's answered when the people of Turin have a miraculous encounter with the Eucharistic Lord. Perfect for fifth grade and up, Giorgio's Miracle is an entertaining tale of faith, family, and the merciful miracles of our loving God.”

The story is written as historical fiction but it is about a real Eucharistic miracle that took place in Turin, Italy in 1453. According to history:

“The event which led to the construction of the church occurred on 6 June 1453 during the war between Louis of Savoy and France. A group of French soldiers had plundered the main church in Exilles, a town in the Val di Susa. On 6 June, the day of the Feast of Corpus Christi, they went to Turin to sell the booty. The donkey which transported the sacramental bread from the Exilles' church fell on the ground and the Holy Spirit rose and illuminated the square from the air.”

This story received the Nihil Obstat: from Fr. Richard Drabik, MIC, Censor Deputatus on September 10, 2019 and the book was released in 2020 making it Laurie’s first novel. As a first novel it is very well written. As mentioned once I started reading I could not put it down. I had not read the cover, description or anything about the book, other than the author’s name, mainly because I loved he other two novels so much. 

As mentioned this was an excellent read and it was hard to put down once I got going. Parts of the story may be fictional but it revolves around real events and a true miracle. It is well written. It is a great novel for Middle Grade readers right on up. I am in my 50’s and loved it. I added to both my son’s and youngest daughter’s summer reading lists after finishing it. I have mentioned this story and the other by Schmitt to several friends. This is a great read no matter your age. A story filled with family, faith, and a deep love of church. And a true miracle.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Other books by Laurie Schmitt:

Giorgio's Miracle

Lepanto’s Lady

Champions of the Rosary

…

Lepanto’s Lady - Laurie Schmitt

Champions of the Rosary

Laurie Schmitt

Emmaus Road Publishing

ISBN 9781645851578

eISBN 9781645851585

ASIN B09JL259B1

This was the second volume by Laurie Schmitt I have read but it will not be the last. I read the first two that are available electronically just week’s apart. I hope the third has an eBook edition released shortly. I have read about the battle of Lepanto in several textbooks, history and church history books over the years. I have also read about Saint Camillus de Lillis previously. I have also read about the Barbary slave trade. This book ties those themes together in a wonderful historical fiction novel. This story also received the Nihil Obstat: from Rev. Jesse Burish on October 25th 2020 and the Imprimatur from the Most Rev. William Patrick Callahan on the 26th. This book was incredibly hard to put down once I began it. It is a story that catches the reader's attention and does not let go. 

The description of this book is:

“Every October 7, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. What many may not know is that this title was bestowed on the Blessed Mother after the Battle of Lepanto in 1571—the most epic sea battle in the history of Christendom.

Lepanto’s Lady is based on the real-life events of the Battle of Lepanto and introduces readers to Rosa, a young girl from Amalfi who must use her strength and cunning to stay clear of slave traders and ruffians as she travels alone in search of her father, who has been captured by enemies.

Can Rosa manage this treacherous journey with the help of newfound friends? How will she find and save her father? Lepanto’s Lady is a riveting tale that demonstrates the undeniable power of the Rosary.”

I loved the way this story is written. The characters are masterfully crafted. The pace is excellent. And the ploy though it might seem out of myth and legends is based on real events. The book is written for tweens and teens, but can be enjoyed by anyone who wants a faith filed adventure. The chapters in the story are:

 1: Amalfi Coast

 2: Valle dei Mulini

 3: Holy League

 4: Celebration Day

 5: Pirates

 6: Disguised

 7: Monastery

 8: Dancer

 9: Discovered

 10: The Holy Cross Sails.

 11: Battle at Sea

 12: Bound for Home

A Historical Note for Readers.

The final section of the story informs readers about the real battle. The legend of a female warrior and others who were actually in the battle. The cast of historical characters is:

Pope Pius V

Don John of Austria

Miguel Cervantes

Camillus patterned after St. Camillus de Lellis 

As mentioned this is an excellent read and it was hard to put down once I got going. Parts of the story may be fictional but it revolves around real events and a true miracle. It is wonderfully written. It is an excellent novel for Middle Grade readers right on up. I am in my 50’s and absolutely loved it. And I added to both my son’s and youngest daughter’s reading lists. I have mentioned this story and the other by Schmitt to several friends. This is an excellent read no matter your age. A story filled with family, faith, and a deep love of church.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Other books by Laurie Schmitt:

Giorgio's Miracle

Lepanto’s Lady

Champions of the Rosary

…

Champions of the Rosary - Laurie Schmitt

Champions of the Rosary

Laurie Schmitt

Emmaus Road Publishing

ISBN 9781784696238

eISBN 9781645851301

ASIN B09JKWVWBG

This was the first book by Laurie Schmitt I have read but it will not be the last. I already have plans to read the other that is available digitally, and hop the third has an eBook edition released shortly. This is the third book involving Our Lady of Good Help that I have read over the last couple of years. One was a prayer book for pilgrimage and another novel, The Woman in the Trees by Theoni Bell. While read this one I could not help but think about the other story. But they are told from such different perspectives.

A description of this volume is:

“Our Lady of Good Help and the Peshtigo Fire is a story about a family struggling to survive in the northwoods of Wisconsin.  James, steeped in self-doubt and sorrowing his father’s death, leaves his family just when he’s needed most. He heads to Peshtigo looking for work and a new life for himself, but comes face to face with terrible danger. The Peshtigo Fire is raging, destroying thousands of Wisconsin forests and farmland. He must return to his family, but what will he find when he gets there?  

This historical fiction, a chapter book for fifth graders and up, centers on the Wisconsin Marian apparition of Our Lady of Good Help and the Peshtigo fire.”

A different description of the book states:

“In 1859, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a young woman named Adele Brise. Mary gave Adele a special mission: “To gather the children to the wild country to teach them what they needed to know for their salvation.” A chapel was built in honor of Our Lady of Good Help in the place where she appeared.

Champions of the Rosary introduces us to siblings Philip, Elizabeth, and John, who attend catechism classes with Sr. Adele Brise. Together, with their older brother James, they witness the raging Peshtigo Fire of 1871.

What will become of the chapel of Our Lady of Good Help? Will the children overcome their fear to reach safety? Champions of the Rosary is an exciting, inspiring story based on real-life events that will remind readers of the miraculous power of the Rosary.”

This was an excellent read and hard to put down once I got going. The fire of Peshtigo Fire of 1871 which began on the same day as the Great Chicago fire, wove a vast swath of destruction in Northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula in Michigan. This story follows a family that has already suffered tragedy. The father filled in a logging accident. The middle brother crippled, and the mother growing ever more despondent. James the oldest brother blames himself, and believes everyone would be better if he left. So he makes his way north to Peshtigo to earn a living logging and to be able so send money home. But he arrives on the night of the great fire. Father Pernin who plays a key role in the story on several occasions is a real historic figure, who served in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and was the pastor in Peshtigo the night of the fire.

This story may be fictional but it revolves around real events and a true miracle. It is masterfully written. It is an excellent novel for Middle Grade readers right on up. I am in my 50’s and absolutely loved it. And I added to both my son’s and youngest daughter’s reading lists. And I have mentioned it to several friends. This is an excellent read no matter your age. A story filled with family, faith, and hope. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Other books by Laurie Schmitt:

Giorgio's Miracle

Lepanto’s Lady

Champions of the Rosary

…

Other books about Our Lady of Good Help:

Our Lady of Good Help Prayer Book For Pilgrims - Fr. Edward Looney

The Woman in the Trees - Theoni Bell

Champions of the Rosary - Laurie Schmitt

…