Are you ready to become a hero-saint?

Every hero-saint journey begins here…

Reflections of an Uncommon Monk is composed of twenty-seven spiritual reflections useful for daily living, and includes a spiritual primer which conveys basic Christian teaching on the spiritual life. This book can be read on its own or as the first book and moral and spiritual foundation of the series A Hero Is Chosen. Beginning with the second book, Mission of the Maiden, all of the stories build on the topics and themes introduced in Reflections of an Uncommon Monk. The primary aim of this series is to transmit Christian spiritual principles and to teach moral virtue in the context of a hero-saint story.

Take your first steps on your own hero-saint journey today!

A Hero Is Chosen Series

Hero Stories of the Saints

Book One: Reflections of an Uncommon Monk: Toward a Theology of Hero-Sainthood

An introduction to the series and its spiritual and moral foundation

Book Two: Mission of the Maiden: The Hero Story of Joan of Arc

Part One: Historical Context: Fourteenth- and fifteenth-century medieval Europe; High Middle Ages; Hundred Years’ War; history of France and England
Part Two: Mission of the Maiden: Joan’s hero-saint story focusing on her public mission (hero-event) from the time she left Domrémy until her interrogation, trial, and burning at the stake (hero-moment)

Book Three: God’s Good Servant and the King’s: The Hero Story of Thomas More

Part One: Historical Context: Fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Renaissance Europe; Reformation period; English and Church history
Part Two: God’s Good Servant and the King’s: Thomas More’s hero-saint story focusing on his public dissent from King Henry VIII (hero-event) until his execution (hero-moment)

Book Four: King of Kings: The Hero Story of Jesus of Nazareth

Part One: Historical Context: Old and New Testament history; first-century AD Roman occupation of Judea
Part Two: King of Kings: Jesus of Nazareth’s hero-saint story focusing on his public mission (hero-event) from his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist until his crucifixion at Calvary (hero-moment)

Book Five: Friar, Priest, and Martyr: The Hero Story of Maximilian Kolbe

Part One: Historical Context: Nineteenth- and twentieth-century Europe; the rise of German nationalism; Nazism and World War II
Part Two: Friar, Priest, and Martyr: Maximilian’s hero-saint story focusing on his public mission as a friar and priest (hero-event) until his imprisonment and death at Auschwitz (hero-moment)

Book Six: A Vocation Story Never Told: A Hero Story of Future Saints

Short fiction novella that takes place beginning in the late twenty-second century

Book Seven: Hero Bible Verses: Meditations of a Saint

Inspiring Bible quotes from Genesis to Revelation

Life is short. See where your path might take you.

Begin your journey today!

Author Biography

Brother Emmanuel Labrise, O.S.B. (John Edward Labrise) received a B.S. from Saint Vincent College, an M.A. from Bowling Green State University, and an M.A. from Notre Dame Seminary. A contemplative monk with over twenty years’ experience in monastic life, he spent six years as a member of the Order of Carthusians and has been a monk in the Order of Saint Benedict since 2009. Among other assignments, he has taught in a seminary college, worked in a seminary formation program, and given conferences at a retreat house. He is currently living the eremitical life in which his main activities are prayer, reading, reflection, and writing.