In today's podcast, Ginny and Mary Ellen talk with Kimberly Begg about her new book Unbreakable, Saints Who Inspired Saints to Moral Courage. Kimberly describes her work, published by TAN, and its unique perspective of not just telling the typical saint story but also the saint behind the saint.

Kimberly explains the importance of knowing how and why other saints inspired each saint, how these stories develop moral courage, and why saint stories are the birthright of Catholic children. She explains why Catholics need to teach their children to go through the cross instead of around it and why we are too comfortable in America. 

At the end of the podcast, we will tell you how to enter to win a copy of the book!

Unbreakable, Saints Who Inspired Saints to Moral Courage - by Kimberly Begg

Kimberly Begg is a Catholic wife and mother of five children. She's an attorney with over 20 years of experience strengthening Catholic and conservative causes, and she helped found Young America's Foundation's Standing Up for Faith and Freedom seminar—a program for students at Catholic schools. She serves on the boards of numerous centers and foundations dedicated to Catholic and conservative principles. She is editor of Catholic School Playbook, an online resource for the renewal of Catholic education. Editor's note: they have a really cool website for those interested in Catholic schools.  

A Different Perspective

Unbreakable has a very different perspective than the typical saint story in that we meet the saint behind the saint. Knowing the back story is critical to understanding the saint's story.

Kimberly explains:

What made her decide to write a saint book this way?

What led her to these particular saints?

Why are the stories of the saints the "birthright of all Catholic children." 

Kimberly introduces her free-to-download study guide linked below - a wealth of resources and insights for homeschoolers; a sampling:

· What is a red martyr? 

· What is a white martyr? 

· Why is it ideal for all family members to pray together?

· What is "the way of spiritual childhood" St. Thérèse discovered during her short life? How can her "little way" help people of all ages grow closer to Christ daily?

The Saints Who Inspired the Saints:

St. Joan of Arc

Inspired by St. Michael the Archangel, St. Margaret of Antioch, and St. Catherine of Alexandria.

St. José Luis Sánchez del Rio

Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, St. Tarcisius, and Blessed Anacleto González Flores.

Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko - an inspiration for her book. 

Inspired by St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Stefan Wyszyński, and Pope John Paul II.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Inspired by St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

The little way both saints practiced is simple and perfect for homeschooling moms.  

In her study guide:

· Kimberly quotes a study that says 73% of Americans say the most important goal in raising children is that they are happy, and should we share that goal? 

· In her chapter about Blessed Jerzy, she reveals that his family, who probably didn't have much to begin with, abstained from meat on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday because "man must know from childhood that renunciations are necessary in life, that not everything is like one wants," so how will Americans fare when it comes to raising saints?

· Ten ways of imitating saints by practicing courage in everyday moments.

· Where can our listeners purchase the book?

Her study guide is available for Unbreakable at www.kimberlybegg.com

Catholic School Playbook is an online resource for the renewal of Catholic education.