Someday Saints, America’s Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God, is a series recommended for children ages four and up, dedicated to heroic Catholics who shared the faith in America. Blessed Solanus Casey, Venerable Frederic Baraga, and Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli fostered the faith in the hearts and lives of the people of the upper Midwest region of the United States. Their virtuous lives and heroic example left a mark in America’s history through the missions and churches they founded, but more importantly, in the lives of the people they served. Follow the examples of these someday saints, for you are called to be a someday saint, too! 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). "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