Seton Magazine Catholic Homeschool Articles, Advice & Resources
Two New Books
There’s a new book that is especially relevant for Catholic homeschooling youth. What makes this story of St. Philomena even more remarkable is that it is written by a thirteen-year-old girl, the age of our young saint when she was martyred.
A fast-paced and gripping read, the book will leave you feeling closer to one of the youngest saints in the Catholic Church. St. Philomena: The Story of a Stubborn Little Princess will draw your family closer to the teen saint and inspire you to follow her example of purity and love of God.
Now, with a new, youthful voice, St. Philomena’s story of heroic purity and chastity is more relevant than ever before. Aimed toward young adults, the story of a young princess who defied a Roman Emperor and gave up her life while following Jesus has proven to be just as inspirational to those of all ages.
Like a bright light in the darkness of our culture, St. Philomena is waiting to tell you her story in this charming and relatable tale.
“I don’t know everything about St. Philomena, but I know that she is a great saint. She has been an inspiration and a role model to me and many others for over two centuries now, and will continue to be until the end of time.” Author, Courtney Lee
The author, Courtney Catherine Filomena Lee, has been homeschooled since the end of first grade and will be a sophomore in high school this year.
“Courtney Lee brings to life one of the most beloved of all saints with this charmingly accessible biography, and reminds us that a life of love and faith endures for centuries. Children who read this gentle tale of courage and martyrdom will be enthralled by the attention to historic detail and inspired by the heartfelt writing that will connect Philomena’s life and love of Jesus with their own. This book belongs in every school library and home that wants to provide children with examples of young people who lived virtuously and made difficult moral choices in the most challenging circumstances.” ~jsexton, Amazon Review
Model for children striving for true holiness
Another great addition to your library is Clare’s Costly Cookie. Join nine-year-old Clare, a thunderbolt in pigtails, on her journey into the heart of Jesus, leaving her self-love behind. As if that isn’t enough, author and homeschooling mom Julie Kelly presents the reader with an astonishingly painless short course in holiness for the child in all of us!
In this lovely tale, experience Clare’s transformation from a strong-willed, self-absorbed child to a faithful follower of Jesus. With grace and courage, she offers to Him the most meaningful gift she possibly can: her self-will.
Without a doubt, Our Lord is effortlessly catechizing the reader with the turn of each page. Mercifully drawn into Clare’s humble heart, Our Lord uses her quest for piety as a vehicle to renew our own.
Clare models for children in her inimitable way that following Jesus Christ and striving for true holiness are worth any cost. With spirit and spunk she demonstrates for young readers that living the Holy Catholic Faith is not only exciting, but better than gooey, warm chocolate chip cookies!
“What Julie is contributing with her book is the fostering of a personal and prayerful relationship between the child and God with the character of simplicity and spontaneity. This little book, manifesting a succession of childlike dialogues with God in total simplicity and trust, will help the children of our time to take the habit to pray throughout the day…” Father Antoine Thomas, CSJ, Founder, Children of Hope
