The Lion and the Saint

by Laura E. Wolfe

Many centuries ago in the wilds of Africa, a startling and mystical friendship developed between a lion and a saint. St. Gerasim served the lion by removing a thorn from its paw, and in turn the lion served St. Gerasim and his monastery for the rest of his life. This small gem of a story shows us this extraordinary friendship through the eyes of the lion, and of a baboon he befriends along the way, allowing us to participate in the lion's transformation - through contact with holiness - from an undifferentiated dumb beast to a particular lion with his own name and destiny. The Lion and the Saint may be enjoyed by good readers from preteen to adult.

120 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2020

Reviews

[Loserbeam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very wholesome short book about two “wild” animals and St. Gerasimus. Written in the point of view of the lion and baboon which was a cool perspective. This booked showed how all of Gods creation comes together to serve and love.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written story full of rich prose. I loved the story of this lion and baboon becoming *more* and how they do. The first time I heard the story of St Gerasim and his lion, I knew I’d love the Saint; but hearing the story from the “lion’s perspective” was really a treat.
This would be a really fun read for a poetry or book club.

[Brandi Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story! This novella was a gift, and WHAT a gift it was to read it. It cut me: gorgeous prose, excellent storytelling, and tears, tears at the end. So good. I can’t recommend this book enough. This would be great for a read aloud in your family, or for young readers, or older readers - anyone. Just lovely.

[Ruby Maggard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful and strange take on the relationship between man and beast. I thought it was lovely and well portrayed, the authors language being rich and descriptive. The thing I loved most about the book was how the lion saw the monk as his master and as the source of goodness. Even when Gerosim would mention Christ, the animals would have no idea what he was talking about, because to them the man in front of them was real and that was all. It highlighted how man is master over beast in the truest sense, through love, and how the saving act of Christ is truly a gift just to man. The animals could not understand about Christ because Christ did not come to die for them. However, through that act of true Love, we can then love all things.
I enjoyed every page of this book and was constantly pleasantly surprised by how the author described this or that, and how such a simple set of characters could be so profound, and set into perspective the relationships between man and God, and man and beast.