Missionaries and Martyrs

Drum roll please. Today's winner, of Willie Finds Victory by Joan Stromberg, is:

Kim from NH

Congratulations Kim!!!

Are you ready for today's contest? I hope you're all still hanging in there with me. Now is not the time to give up. I want everyone to win. Okay, I know that's not possible, but you can't win if you don't try. Besides, today's book is way cool!

Jose Finds the King: A Blessed Miguel Pro Story by Ann Ball [Ecce Homo Press] is the beautiful story of Bl. Miguel (1891-1827, Mexico) told through the eyes of a child. And Ann Ball is just the person to tell it. She spent an enormous amount of time researching Bl. Miguel and only uses his actual words in this story. I suggest enjoying Jose Finds a King as a read aloud, especially since it does touch on Bl. Miguel's martyrdom.

From the publisher:

Jose's life is just perfect: a loving mother, doting big brother, great friends and great fun. Best yet, he is about to receive the ultimate gift: Jesus in his First Communion. Yet, Jose's world comes crashing down when he witnesses his teacher's martyrdom by Mexican soldiers. Will Jose's life ever be the same again? How can a priest, martyred years before help him to learn to love again? Fun to read! Exciting adventures! Faith-filled journeys! Unit study on Revolutionary Mexico included.

All you have to do to enter the free drawing for this book is send an email HERE (RWitt1776 at aol dot com) before 5:00 AM Eastern time Wednesday morning. Make sure to include your name and address so that I can mail the book to you should you win.

If you would like some adult reading on the topic of Bl. Miguel or Mexican martyrdom, here are a few grown-up titles for you to check out:

Iniquis Afflictisque by Pope Pius XI (encyclical) – On the Persecution of the Church in Mexico. Written in 1926.

Blessed Miguel Pro: 20th Century Martyr also by Ann Ball [TAN] – A short, yet well-rounded biography. Includes photographs.

Mexican Martyrdom by Fr. Wilfrid Parsons, SJ – The true stories of the persecuted in Mexico. Few Americans realize the extent of the anti-Catholic policies of President Plutarcho Elias Calles. Many executions were carried out in the 1920’s, solely based on the practice of religion.

All these titles are featured in For the Love of Literature.