Hooray! It’s almost Advent! Ready to celebrate the Holy Days and feast days coming up in December? What about learning more about the saints?
This list of Catholic saints books, arranged in calendar order, will help you to be prepared to live the liturgical year at home with your family. Don’t miss our Advent crafts and special recipes, too.
Want to start your Catholic library without breaking the bank? Buy these books used. Don’t overlook the used section on Amazon, or try ThriftBooks.com.
Edmund Campion: Hero of God’s Underground (Vision Books)Saints for Young Readers for Every Day, Vol. 2
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December 1st – St. Edmund Campion
Saint Edmund Campion, S.J. was an English Roman Catholic Jesuit priest and martyr. While conducting an underground ministry in officially Anglican England, he was arrested by priest hunters. Convicted of high treason, he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn.
Read more about him here:
Saints for Young Readers
Edmund Campion, Hero of God’s Underground
Saints for Young Readers for Every Day, Vol. 2:Saint Francis of the Seven Seas
Set All Afire
Around the Year: Once Upon a Time Saints
Lives of the Saints an Illustrated History for Children
More Saints: Lives and Illuminations
The Book of Saints and Heroes
An Alphabet of Catholic Saints
Francis Xavier and the Samurai’s Lost Treasure
Cooking With the Saints
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December 3rd – St. Francis Xavier
In our house, St Francis Xavier is one of our very favorite saints. Since he’s the patron saint of our local parish, we started learning more about him a few years ago. My boys refer to him as the “Jesuit Ninja.”
You can read more about St Francis Xavier with these selections. When you’re not busy reading, clear off your craft table for these activities.
Saints for Young Readers Vol 2
Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children
More Saints: Lives and Illuminations
The Book of Saints and Heroes
Alphabet of Catholic Saints
St. Francis Xavier and the Samurai’s Lost Treasure
St. Francis of the Seven Seas
Set All Afire: A Novel about St. Francis Xavier
Cooking with the Saints
Cooking With the SaintsLives of the Saints an Illustrated History for Children
Saints: Lives and Illuminations
Once upon a Time Saints
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December 4th – St. Barbara
St Barbara was an early Christian martyr,best known as the patron saint of armourers, artillerymen, military engineers, miners and mathematicians. Read more about her here:
Once Upon a Time Saints
Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children
Saints: Lives and Illuminations
Cooking with the Saints
Saints for Young Readers for Every Day, Vol. 2:Around the Year: Once Upon a Time Saints
Saints and Angels: Popular Stories of Familiar Saints
Lives of the Saints an Illustrated History for Children
Saints: Lives and Illuminations
An Alphabet of Catholic Saints
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December 6th – St. Nicholas
We have LOADS of books to enjoy as we celebrate St Nicholas Day! We enjoy these selections, as well as St Nicholas Printables, and fun St Nicholas crafts.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
Saints and Angels
Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children
Saints: Lives and Illuminations
Alphabet of Catholic Saints
Picture Book of SaintsSaint Nicholas
The Legend of Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend
St. Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas
The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas
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Picture Book of Saints
Saint Nicholas
The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend
St. Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas
The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas
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The Baker’s Dozen: A St. Nicholas Tale
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas
The Church Mouse of St. Nicholas
Kersti and Saint Nicholas
A Gift from St. Nicholas
Cooking with the Saints
Nicholas of Myra: Giver of Many Gifts
Saint Nicholas and the Mouse of Myra
The Legend of Saint Nicholas
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December 7th – St. Ambrose
A successful lawyer before becoming a bishop, he was one of the four original Doctors of the Church.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Once Upon a Time Saints
Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow
Cooking with the Saints
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December 8th – The Immaculate Conception
Don’t forget this Holy Day!
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
The Immaculate Conception
Just Like Mary
Mary Most Holy (Coloring Book)
December 9th – St. Peter Fourier
Together with the Blessed Alix Le Clerc, in 1597, Fourier founded the Congregation of Notre Dame of Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine, who were committed to the free education of children.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
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December 9th – St. Juan Diego
December 12th – Our Lady of Guadalupe
In our home, we celebrate St Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe together with Mexican feasts, crafts, activities and loads of books.
Ideas to get you started:
Mexican Wedding Cakes
Taco Ring
Ideas for Celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe
Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe
More Saints: Lives and Illuminations
Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe
Juan Diego: Mary’s Humble Messenger
Our Lady of Guadalupe Coloring Book
The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Empress of the Americas
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Fresh Flowers in Winter – The Story of St. Juan Diego
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December 13th – St. Lucy
Since she’s the patroness of those with eye trouble, St Lucy is one of our go to girls.
She was a young Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox Churches. She is one of eight women, who along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.
You’ll also see her referred to as St Lucia.
To go along with these books, don’t miss these crafts and activities to celebrate St Lucia.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
Lives and Legends of Saints
Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children
Alphabet of Catholic Saints
Lucia, Saint of Light
Hanna’s Christmas
Lucia Morning in Sweden
Lucia, Child of Light
Bells of Santa Lucia
Kirsten’s Surprise: A Christmas Story
A Story of Saint Lucy
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December 13th, St. Odilia
About the year 300, Saint Odilia and ten other virgins set out from England on a pilgrimage to the East. They were captured by some soldiers and taken to Cologne. There the young women were killed in defense of their Christian faith and their purity. St. Odilia’s future role as the Patroness of the Order of the Holy Cross is pictured by the Crosier standard and her motto, “I have chosen the cross.”
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Saints: Lives and Illuminations
Golden Legend of Young Saints
Alphabet of Catholic Saints
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December 14th – St. John of the Cross
Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church, St John of the Cross is considered the patron saint of the contemplative life.
More Saints: Lives and Illuminations
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December 16th – Los Posadas
The tradition of the Posadas was brought to Mexico from Spain in the 1500’s by Catholic Missionaries. The Posadas commemorate Mary and Joseph’s difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a place for the Christ Child to be born.
Nine Days to Christmas: A Story of Mexico
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December 17th – Pope Francis’ Birthday
Celebrate Pope Francis’ birthday with a traditional Argentinian dish and lots of reading. We found a giant selection of books to peruse.
Jorge from Argentina: The Story of Pope Francis for Children
Our Holy Father the Pope, From St. Peter to the Present
Lessons from Pope Francis for Children
Pope Francis
Dear Pope Francis
Francis: The Pope for Kids
Pope Francis for Kids
Pope Francis – Religious Leader
Pope Francis Family Devotional
Pope Francis’ Story
Our Friend Pope Francis
Pope Francis:I Believe in Mercy
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December 25th – Christmas, The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ
After going to Christmas Mass, pull out some of these selections to read in between opening gifts.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Mondays With Mary
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December 26th – St. Stephen
St Stephan was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr’s crown. He is regarded as the patron saint of stonemasons.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Saints and Angels
Saints: Lives and Illuminations
Good King Wenceslas
Good King Wenceslas
A Story of Saint Stephen
Stephen’s Feast
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December 27th – St. John the Evangelist
We celebrate one of Jesus’ most loved disciples today.
Fun fact to tell your children:
When John was en route to preach in Asia, his ship was wrecked in a storm; all but John were cast ashore. John was assumed dead, but two weeks later the waves cast him ashore alive at the feet of his disciple Prochoros.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Saints and Angels
The Twelve Apostles
Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children
Through the Eyes of John
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December 28th – The Holy Innocents
Today, we commemorate the young lives lost during Herod’s reign.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
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December 29th – St Thomas Becket
St Thomas Becket became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, but was assassinated by knights on order from King Henry II due to a rift between the Church and the state.
Saints for Young People for Every Day of the Year – Vol 2
More Saints: Lives and Illuminations
An Alphabet of Saints
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December 29th -St. David the King
Before we wrap up the year, pull out this book to study King David.
Do you have favorite Catholic picture books that you pull out during December? I’d love to hear about your favorites!
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Yay! There’s some overlap on our lists, but you have some saint books I’m going to check out. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
http://www.sweepingupjoy.com/pre-advent-prep-the-books/