Author | |
JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline Posts: 12234
|
Posted: Oct 11 2010 at 11:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
While looking at saints for my oldest son's confirmation this spring, we happened on St. George being the patron saint of the Boy Scouts. Even found an excerpt from Baden-Powell's book "Scouting for Boys" about it.
So now he's very interested in using St. George for his saint for confirmation. Not 100% but leaning that way.
What I did for my daughter is once she picked a saint she was pretty sure about. I hunted and found her a book or two with information about that saint for her.
I think I'm going to have the opposite problem with St. George. He's so popular that finding good stories rather than just the "slaying of the dragon" may be difficult.
At this patron saint site.. near the bottom is this
Quote:
Saint George was a man who abandoned one army for another: he gave up the rank of tribune to enlist as a soldier for Christ. Eager to encounter the enemy, he first stripped away his worldly wealth by giving all he had to he poor. Then, free and unencumbered, bearing the shield of faith, he plunged into the think of the battle, an ardent soldier for Christ. Clearly what he did serves to teach us a valuable lesson: if we are afraid to strip ourselves of out worldly possessions, then we are unfit to make a strong defense of the faith. Dear brothers, let us not only admire the courage of this fighter in heaven’s army, but follow his example. Let us be inspired to strive for the reward of heavenly glory. We must now cleanse ourselves, as Saint Paul tells us, from all defilement of body and spirit, so that one day we too may deserve to enter that temple of blessedness to which we now aspire. - from a sermon by Saint Peter Damian, priest
|
|
|
I would love to find some things written about St. George that are more like this reading.
I probably won't be buying anything right away.. but I would like to start looking at my options so that if he does decide on St. George I'll have done my work for finding some good books.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
Back to Top |
|
|
Anastasia Forum Rookie
Joined: Aug 21 2009 Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline Posts: 59
|
Posted: Oct 16 2010 at 11:06am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I don't know about any books that are non-dragon based. St George and the Dragon is one we really like, and it has lovely pictures!
http://www.amazon.com/Saint-George-Dragon-Margaret-Hodges/dp /0316367958
|
Back to Top |
|
|
DianaC Forum Pro
Joined: March 27 2008
Online Status: Offline Posts: 404
|
Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 11:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My son is a long-time scout, an Eagle and also chose St. George as his patron saint. You're right that there is little written about him beyond the legends told about him slaying the dragon. However, meditating on the snippets like the excerpt you quoted can really resonate with a young boy on how to model his life and follow Christ.
My son was also interested in St. George because of our English relatives and St. George is the Patron of England (and many other countries and cities). England's flag is the flag of St. George: England's Flag
Also, when my son became an Eagle scout, we gave him and his friends these holy cards
|
Back to Top |
|
|
JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline Posts: 17702
|
Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 4:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've been looking around, Jodie, and haven't had much luck. Since most of this life is based on legend, there aren't that many books.
Of course, there are two picture books. The Margaret Hodges version is one, but also there is one by Geraldine McCaughrean which I think I like even better. But still both just touch on his soldier and dragon legend, and not his life.
For adults I saw this one St. George: Knight, Martyr, Patron, Saint, and Dragonslayer but I haven't read it to know what angle. It looks to be a historical one.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
Back to Top |
|
|
CatholicMommy Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2007 Location: Indiana
Online Status: Offline Posts: 1254
|
Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 12:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Bumping this to see if anyone has any more thoughts or ideas to share.
The one thing my son has on his Christmas list (that is *not* Lego Kingdom Set related or Narnia related) is "more books about St. George" - he even voluntarily wrote out those words in cursive to get my attention.
I'll be getting both the books on Amazon.
Has anyone read the book JennGM mentions? Perhaps I could read it myself and adapt it down to a kid-version for him....
__________________ Garden of Francis
HS Elementary Montessori Training
Montessori Nuggets
|
Back to Top |
|
|
JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline Posts: 12234
|
Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 3:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks for the bump CatholicMommy..
how did I miss Jenn's adult book recommendation? it looks pretty good from reading the reviews. Even if I read/edit it outloud it might be a good book that gives more detail on St. George as a person vs just a legend.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
Back to Top |
|
|
stellamaris Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009 Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline Posts: 2732
|
Posted: Dec 02 2010 at 7:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jodie, I think this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent explains why there are so few books on St. George. Almost nothing is known about him except that he really existed and was a martyr. Nevertheless, as your quote so beautifully says, he is an example of courage and faithfulness whose friendship in heaven would be a great blessing to any young man!
__________________ In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
|
Back to Top |
|
|
JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline Posts: 17702
|
Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 2:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just adding a book from this thread
JennGM wrote:
Our library was selling a book called Nikos and the Ikon by Terry Reid. It's out of print, 1969, middle reading age chapter book. It's an exciting story of a Greek shepherd boy Nikos. The church's revered icon of St. George is stolen, and he helps capture the thieves.
I think it would be a nice addition to this feast day reading. |
|
|
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
Back to Top |
|
|
JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline Posts: 17702
|
Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 3:29pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I added a new picture book in the picture book thread. Sorry for any confusion, but I realized I tagged on to a thread in Living Literature, not picture books!
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
Back to Top |
|
|
|
|