The New Catholic Picture Bible by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D. is a wonderful and highly-acclaimed collection of Bible stories for children. Set in large easy-to-read type, children will learn about key stories from the Bible that are enhanced with beautiful artwork in this fine publication. The Catholic Picture Bible is a true classic and has been a favorite among Catholics for several decades. This title provides summaries and valuable context for 117 important stories from the Bible, 43 stories from the Old Testament and 74 stories from the New Testament. The language is simple and easily understandable. This book makes an excellent gift and is a great educational resource for children seeking to know more about the Word of God.
Among the features of this book full-color illustrationspresentation pagedurable sewn hardcover bindinga short caption accompanying each illustrationa foreword written by the author, Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D.Informative and engaging introductions for both the Old Testament and the New Testamentmaps of the Old Testament World and the New Testament WorldNihil Obstat and ImprimaturLand of the Bible concluding section that contains photographs, explanations, and Scriptural references for the following holy Star of BethlehemThe Golden GateAncient Synagogue at CapernaumThe Pool of SiloamThe Sacred StairwayThe Via DolorosaThe Mount of Olives
Introducing children to Bible stories is a beautiful way to nurture their faith and moral foundation. These stories, rich with lessons about God’s love, compassion, and guidance, offer children a sense of purpose, hope, and a deeper understanding of their relationship with God. Bible stories are often written in simple yet profound ways, making them relatable and easy for children to understand. Stories like Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, and Jesus feeding the five thousand capture their imagination while teaching important virtues such as courage, trust, kindness, and forgiveness. These narratives help children see how God works in the lives of His people and inspires them to follow His ways. By learning Bible stories, children also develop a strong moral compass. They begin to grasp concepts of right and wrong, empathy, and the importance of treating others with love and respect. These lessons help shape their character and guide their behavior in daily life. Bible stories foster a sense of wonder and connection to God. They help children see Him not as distant but as a loving Father who is always present. Sharing these stories during family time, Sunday school, or bedtime builds a foundation of faith that will grow with them, instilling a lifelong trust in God’s plan and promises.
The following Old Testament topics and figures are covered in this Story of the CreationAdam and Eve in ParadiseCain and AbelNoah's ArkThe Promise to AbramAbraham's SacrificeJacob and EsauJoseph and His BrothersJoseph in Potiphar's HouseJoseph's GreatnessMoses, Prince and LeaderThe Burning BushThe Plagues of EgyptThe Cross of the Red SeaThe Manna in the DesertThe Ten CommandmentsMiracles in the DesertRahab and the Two SpiesThe Taking of JerichoJoshua Conquers CanaanThe Devotion of RuthThe Strength of SamsonThe Child SamuelKing SaulSaul Disobeys GodDavid and Saul David and GoliathDavid Loves SaulSaul's DeathThe City of DavidThe Death of AbsalomKing SolomonThe Temple of SolomonJob's PatienceThe Prophet ElijahThe Prophet ElishaThe Prophet JonahIsaiah and JeremiahTobiah and the AngelThe Bravery of JudithBelshazzar's BanquetDaniel in the Lions' DenThe Return to Jerusalem The following New Testament topics and figures are covered in this AnnunciationThe VisitationThe Birth of JesusThe ShepherdsThe Presentation of Jesus in the TempleWise Men from the EastThe Flight into EgyptJesus Is Found in the TempleThe Hidden Life of JesusThe Baptism of JesusThe Temptation of JesusThe Marriage at CanaThe Sellers in the TempleNicodemus Comes to JesusThe Samaritan WomanThe Great Catch of FishThe Ten LepersThe Cripple at the PoolThe Sermon on the MountJesus Teaches CharityThe Centurion's ServantThe Call of Matthew The Rich Man and LazarusThe Penitent WomanThe Widow's SonThe Daughter of JairusMan with Withered HandJesus Calms the StormA Possessed ManThe Beheading of John the BaptistMiracle of Loaves and FishJesus Walks on the WaterJesus Preaches from a BoatPromise of the EucharistPeter, Head of the ChurchThe TransfigurationThe Temple DuesJesus and Little ChildrenAvoiding ScandalMission of the ApostlesThe Good SamaritanJesus with Martha & MaryThe AdulteressThe Prodigal SonLazarus Raised from the DeadThe Pharisee and PublicanThe Blind ManThe Rich Young Man The Good ShepherdMother of James and JohnZacchaeus the PublicanEntry into JerusalemWashing of the FeetInstitution of the EucharistThe High-Priestly PrayerThe Agony ...
Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, SVD attended primary school at Saint Clement School before continuing on to Divine Word minor seminary and college in Girard, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1931.
Father Lovasik then entered the Divine Word Major Seminary in Techny, Illinois, where he graduated in 1938. After completing his theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Father Lovasik was ordained a missionary priest of the Society of the Divine Word on August 14, 1938.
Father Lovasik spent several years as a teacher and Prefect of Seminarians for the Society of the Divine Word. For over forty years, he preached parish missions throughout the Eastern United States and conducted retreats throughout the world.
In 1954, Father Lovasik founded the Sisters of the Divine Spirit, a missionary congregation of women religious. In 1967, he founded the Family Service Corps, a secular institute devoted to charitable work for the sick, elderly and needy.
Father Lovasik said his life's ideal was to make God more known and loved through his writings. He published more than 30 books and over 75 pamphlets including prayer books, Bible stories for children, lives of the saints, and catechisms.
Father Lovasik retired from missionary work in 1982.
Reason for Reading: Every Mon-Fri (mostly) we read a Bible story.
We converted to Catholicism two Easter Vigils ago and were already in the middle of another Bible Story book at that time. When we finished it we moved onto this one, our first Catholic Bible story book. I'll review this book in particular and then compare how I found it to the usual Protestant or ecumenical Bible story books we had previously read.
This is a nice gift Bible with puffy boards and a Presentation page to fill out. Each story is a two-page spread with the left-hand side usually being an illustration and the text on the right-hand side. There is some variety to this though as there are some longer stories where the picture is shrunk to half or a third of the page to make more room for the text and there are scattered throughout some short stories that take up one page with illustration and text sharing the same page. The illustrations are beautiful old-school paintings, very realistic and religious. Mary, Joseph and Jesus are always shown with a halo. Unfortunately no one is credited with the illustrations. The text is a delight to read, presented chronologically and has a suitable reading level for a wide range of ages.
I've read many, many Bible story books through the 21 years I've been a mother. How did we find this specifically Catholic Bible story book different from all the others? The beginning and the end to start. This Bible starts with the fall of Lucifer and his "bad angels" and ends with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Earth and the conversion of the first Christians. This Bible also has a definite emphasis on Christ and the Gospels. During the Old Testament, whenever an event or prophesy was made there would be an explanation of how this referred to or was fulfilled in the New Testament. I really appreciated this as it kept us focusing on Christ even during the Old Testament, just like during Mass. The other difference is of course, the Catholic element found in the New Testament where all the Biblical references to the Church are explained and events that are Holy Days are mentioned as such. Also the Eucharist, the Transubstantiation, the Stations of the Cross, the establishment of the Church and the Peter's Primacy are all told from within the Bible stories from whence they came.
Thus, I have no problems with reading any Bible story book, Protestant or ecumenical, even as a Catholic, but I do see the advantages of a faith specific Bible story book. Given a choice, though, I would now chose a Catholic Bible story book over another.
A lovely Catholic Bible story book, recommended for gift giving.
Since I have a Christen backround, I had chosen to learn more about what happened back then and what church is teaching me. So when I had my first holy communion (a Christen thing) my Nana got me this book. So I read it and loved reading how Jesus was born and what he did that made him King.
I would recommend this book to all Christen kids because they will love learning more than the others.
This is such a great picture bible for Children. We have been reading various stories out of it, each day this lent, to go along with our Jesus Tree. All the kids are loving it, and keep reminding me each day to read the next story!!
This is my Bible from one of my catholic classes in grade school, it was a wonderful book to enjoy as an adult and the pictures to go with the bile stories were well done.
The author seems to have done a very good job of summarizing the stories of the bible. I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars because so much more time is spent on the New Testament, particularly on Jesus' role in the New Testament. I suppose that makes sense given that it's written from the Catholic perspective but I would have appreciated something more proportional to the full bible.
I know it’s silly to criticize a children’s Bible. That being said. This book oversimplifies complicated stories to the point of confusion. The New Testament is certainly more coherent, but overall it felt messy, and I think a lot of the themes they’re trying to convey will go over heads without someone with more biblical knowledge to explain them. Aside from when the book just says what the lesson is supposed to be in a select few stories.
While the pictures are dated and the print quality questionable (yellowish with heavy black outlines) I loved reading this bible as a child, the one page chapters introduced so many interesting characters and the pictures were expressive and realistic and help to put you in the scene.