5 Minutes with the Saints

Building on the popularity of 5 Minutes with Christ (2011), this unique book of meditations draws on insights and anecdotes from great Catholic saints on the subject of education to encourage and inspire teachers and others on the front lines of Catholic education.

Drawing its inspiration from the great saints and founders of religious orders dedicated to teaching, 5 Minutes with the Saints offers today’s educators the bite-sized moments of spiritual motivation and affirmation they need to continue their challenging and often thankless work. Each reflection features a short excerpt on the spirituality of Catholic education by saints such as André Bessette, Ignatius Loyola, and Elizabeth Ann Seton, followed by a personal reflection and a short prayer. Like 5 Minutes with Christ, this book was crafted from the writings of ACE members of ACE.

A unique gift for teachers in public and Catholic schools, principals, administrators, and catechists; this book effectively supports the spiritual dimension of a teacher’s work for personal use or for teacher retreats.

About the Editors

Rev. Louis A. DelFra, C.S.C., is a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross at the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education, where he serves as Director of Pastoral Life and a faculty member. Fr. DelFra has also served as a middle school and high school teacher at Malvern Preparatory School in Philadelphia, as well as associate pastor and middle school religion teacher at Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland, Oregon. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Notre Dame.

Ann Primus Berends is Associate Director for the Education, Schooling, and Society program in the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame. Berends obtained her bachelor's degree from Calvin College. She has served as an associate director in the Alliance for Catholic Education, church director of in-house ministries in Nashville, program manager for education research at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and coordinator of a literacy program at Highland View Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland. Additionally, she has worked for more than twenty-five years as a freelance writer and editor in both the public and the private sectors.           

Praise for 5 Minutes with the Saints:

"Delightful collection."

"5 Minutes with the Saints is a valuable resource, particularly for anyone working in Catholic education. Its simple format is especially useful for the busy teacher allowing the reader to open to any page to find a brief reflection related to the life of a saint in light of the lived experiences of Catholic educators. A good Catholic school should help all its students to become saints; what better support than this delightful collection that inspires readers to share the life of such witnesses!"

Timothy J. McNiff, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of New York

"Wonderful resource."

"Another wonderful resource for our teachers and catechists. Following the format of Five Minutes with Christ, the reflections contained in Five Minutes with the Saints provide much-needed spiritual nourishment for Catholic educators. Spending a few minutes a day with these reflections will result in many hours of spiritual growth and personal peace."

Diane Starkovich, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of Atlanta