Someday Saints

America’s Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God

 

Solanus Casey, Bishop Baraga, and Samuel Mazzuchelli are Someday Saints who served the people in the Midwest region around the Great Lakes, in Wisconsin, Michigan, and beyond.

Solanus Casey, a Wisconsin farm boy, milked cows on his family farm, later joining the Capuchins. Bishop Frederic Baraga, born in Slovenia, came to the New World as a missionary priest, traveling far and wide in his ministry to the native peoples. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, born in Italy, seemed to have the world at his fingertips, and gladly sacrificed it all in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in North America. 

Young readers will be inspired by these holy heroes as they learn about the childhood, vocational call and special mission of these Someday Saints.

Someday Saints has received the Imprimatur seal. (The “Imprimatur” is granted by an official censor of the Catholic Church and verifies that the book is free from moral and doctrinal error).

Available for purchase here.

“How does the Lord guide us and encourage us?  How does He share His wisdom?  How does He show us the path to eternal life? We look to the Church and her teachings, and we know the need for prayer. Certainly, we think of the Sacraments and Sacred Scripture. But we also are drawn to the power of good example, indeed of holy example, and so we are blessed by the Communion of Saints, ‘the great cloud of witnesses’ to Jesus Christ. Even more wonderful is the witness of a holy life from someone near to us in some way, for example, someone from our country or from our region.

“Someday Saints” introduces us to the powerful example of three holy men who served the Lord and His Church in the upper midwest of the United States. The stories of Bishop Frederic Baraga, Father Solanus Casey and Father Samuel Mazzuchelli will capture young imaginations and foster in young hearts the love of Jesus Christ.”

           – Fr. Paul Check, Executive Director of Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe

“The stories of holy men and women inspire us to love God and teach us valuable lessons for our Christian life. It is important to inspire our young people to be holy and become saints. Through telling the story of three holy priests and one who became a bishop, Laurie Schmitt, shares such holy inspiration and hopefully will inspire vocations to the priesthood.”

– Fr. Edward Looney, Author of How They Love Mary: 28 Life-Changing Stories of Devotion to Our Lady

“My understanding of holiness changed in college when a friend of mine said, ‘There are saints everywhere! There are saints all around us.’ By this she meant that many people are living lives of great holiness ‘right under our noses.’ Since that conversation, I have been more able to recognize how ordinary people, family members, friends, and fellow parishioners are living out their mission from Christ to be ‘the salt of the earth.’ All the saints, whether recognized by the universal Church or recognized only by a few, are ordinary people who cooperate with God’s supernatural grace. Through the lives of three ordinary men from various backgrounds who said ‘yes’ to God and served Him and His people with great love, Someday Saints is a reminder that there are saints all around us. This book will inspire people of all ages to say ‘yes’ to God and become someday saints in our own time.”

– Fr. Daniel Sedlacek, parish priest, Diocese of La Crosse 

“Bishop Frederic Baraga’s story needs to be handed on to everyone. Laurie Schmitt beautifully crafts the gritty adventures of Bishop Baraga in a way that is easy for children to understand. This book will inspire young people to pursue holiness, which is to strive for sainthood. Sainthood is possible for those who live out their baptismal promises with the help of God’s grace. Today more than ever, children need to learn about their faith. One of the best ways to learn about our faith is through spiritual storybooks. This captivating story about Bishop Baraga is a great depiction of his heroic efforts to proclaim the Gospel to native peoples in the Lake Superior region, especially in Northern Michigan. Bishop Baraga teaches us to be bold, trust the Lord, and draw strength from above!”

– Rev. Nick Thompson, Holy Name of Mary, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

“The Venerable Samuel is very important to all who work here at the Mound at Sinsinawa.  As the chaplain to the sisters I see daily Samuel’s continued support from heaven as we share heaven’s treasures.  What a wonderful read.”
 
           – Fr. Daniel Davis, O.P.

“Rarely do children’s saint stories move past the basic biography and into the heart of who the person was. Laurie’s Someday Saints goes beyond the facts, using a warm storytelling style to reveal what mattered most to these historical figures. She uses a connecting theme which shows the vocational path each person followed, teaching us that growing in holiness should be a part of our whole lives. Beginning with their childhood and family life is a perfect way to connect with kids and demonstrate that they too are called by God to listen and follow Him. Someday Saints is a warm collection inviting children to come to know the holy men and women that have spread the faith throughout America, inspiring us to follow in their footsteps.”

– Katie Bogner, teacher, DRE, and author of Through the Year with Jesus and Through the Year with Mary

“What a wonderful way to learn about the canonization process as a family, as well as these special “someday saints.” I love how canonization prayers are included at the end of each story, inviting children to pray regularly for their new heavenly friends!”

– Katie Warner, bestselling children’s book author, FirstFaithTreasury.com

“With gentle and inviting prose, Laurie Schmitt shares the stories of three “someday saints” in Someday Saints: America’s Blesseds, Venerables & Servants of God. While their stories may be little-known, these men’s impact on those they served left a tremendous legacy of faith. By sharing these tales with our youngest “someday saints”, we underscore for them and ourselves the unique invitation God gives each of us to love and serve those around us. Inviting!!”

— Lisa M. Hendey, author of I’m a Saint in the Making– Lisa M. Hendey, author of I’m a Saint in the Making

“There are so many holy men and women to learn about in history, and Laurie Schmitt does a fantastic job bringing these lesser known men to life. Give your kids great examples of faith with Someday Saints – a book that makes it that much easier to live liturgically!”

– Jenna Hines, author of The Lazy Liturgical

“Someday Saints is an engaging and understandable introduction to the canonization process and a delightful adventure with three someday saints. Children and adults will be drawn by the lyrical storytelling and the beautiful illustrations. This book is a fantastic encouragement to children, emphasizing their own call to holiness and sainthood. A book worthy of Catholic parents’ shelves!”

 – Olivia Spears, Blog Manager, Blessed Is She

“Want your children to aspire to holiness? Laurie Schmitt’s Someday Saints offers a glimpse into the lives of three Christlike men from not-so-long-ago who shone the light of Jesus in the upper Midwest of America. I pray that these stories will inspire all who read and hear them to note how God’s providence and love flourishes in our own lives. Humble servants, Blessed Solanus Casey, Venerable Frederic Baraga, and Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli said “fiat” (“yes”) to God’s Divine Will. They would have been the first to tell you that they were ordinary men serving our extraordinary God! God willing, we can serve Him, too.”
 
         – Marlys Honeyman, children’s book author, I Am
 
“Someday Saints is a meaningful way for young children to learn about Father Mazzuchelli  and his bringing heaven’s treasure to all with whom he ministered.”
 
       – Sister Barbara Hubeny, O.P.
 
A delightful read-aloud for children ages 4 to 10, ‘Someday Saints’ tells the stories of three men whose lives of service to the Church have put them on the road to sainthood. Laurie J. Schmitt’s brief tales will inspire young listeners to love and serve God.
 
       – Barb Szyszkiewicz, editor at CatholicMom.com and author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer
 
“Beautifully illustrated and joyfully written! Laurie’s newest addition to our family’s storytime – Someday Saints – brings sainthood to life, especially for little ones. Ensuring our faith is tangible is critically important as our children grow to embrace their own spiritual journey. Thank you for yet another resource to teach our children how to live out the will of God and follow the path to sainthood.”
 
        – Katie Curran, creator at Totus Tuus Treasures