Genre

historical fiction, mystery

Audience

Christian adult

Author’s Worldview

Catholic

Year Published

2018

Themes

St. Francis de Sales, Salesian spirituality, Vatican II, vocation to the religious life

Reviewed by

Courtney Guest Kim

If your new year’s resolution is to do more spiritual reading, but the only books you really enjoy are mystery novels, look no further: Brother Bernard Seif, Salesian monk and author of the Office Of The Dead series has what you’re looking for. Night Prayer combines historical fiction with contemporary mystery to present a narrative with the distinctive flavor of the Salesian tradition. 

The book opens in France in the year 1600 A.D., with the recently widowed Jane de Chantal reflecting, “My spiritual life, such as it is, seems to be the only thing that is helping me to cope with the agony of my present situation…there is a longing in me as deep as life itself for union with the Sacred….” This historical voice continues on to narrate the details of Jane’s correspondence with Bishop de Sales and their co-founding of the Salesian Order.

A parallel, contemporary story features the sleuth of this monastic mystery series, Brother Francis, who is based out of a Pennsylvania monastery. In this sixth book of the series, he travels to China in search of what may prove to be the four hundred year-old missing letters exchanged by St Jane de Chantal and St Francis de Sales.

Over the course of the intertwined narratives, we get both a humorous cast of contemporary characters and a fascinating exploration of the founding of the Salesian community, as well as an exposition of the spirit of Vatican II, when Brother Francis arrives in China and must interact with a foreign culture. The author draws on his own expertise in ancient Chinese medical practices to tie together what initially appear to be disconnected traditions.

At the turn of the 17th century in Europe, an era of blood-curdling religious violence, St. Francis de Sales was remarkable for his advocacy of gentle verbal persuasion instead of force to address differences of belief. The Salesian motto, Suaviter Sed Fortiter (Gentle But Strong) informs the tone of Br. Bernard’s book as well. This book will interest anyone who wants to explore in greater depth the qualities of Catholic spirituality and the history of a religious order.

Get Catholic Books & eBooks for as little as $1 to FREE

The King’s Prey by Susan Peek

When the king of Ireland goes insane, Princess Dymphna must embark on a harrowing journey to freedom.

The Glaston Secret by Donal Anthony Foley

Can three modern teens and a little black dog rescue a group of fleeing refugees in Nazi-occupied France?

Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman

After the loss of her child, Rachel goes insane but she must pull her mind back together to solve a murder and save her own life.

If Wishes Were Dragons By Karina Fabian

What happens when LARPing becomes a lot more real than a group of D&D players can handle?

Someday by Corinna Turner

Ordinary schoolgirls face a terrible fate: abuse, forced marriages, and even death at the hands of Islamic extremists.

Angel of Death by Brian O’Hare

A murdered archbishop launches DCI Sheehan on the track of a sectarian serial killer, as well as on a journey back to the faith of his childhood.

The Letters of Magdelen Montague by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson

An epistolary novel full of ironic British wit.

Julia’s Gifts by Ellen Gable

A story of love and God’s providence in times of war.

Feel-Good Books For Pandemic Summer

Book Therapy to chase the blues away

Brother Wolf by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson

Swept into a werewolf hunt with two nuns, a dashing guardian and a jolly priest, Athene Howard applies her intellectual skills to unravel this mysterious new Papist world.

Roland West Loner by Theresa Linden

When his evil brothers lock Roland up in a dungeon he finds a locked box hiding a mysterious treasure.

The Vines of Mars by A.R.K. Watson

While tracking down his sister’s murderer, a Martian farmer discovers a secret that may destroy his colony.

The Fire of Eden (The Harwood Mysteries Book 3) by Antony Barone Kolenc

The mystery of a stolen treasure might hold the key to Xan’s discernment about whether God is calling him to the priesthood or to Lucy.

The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell

This is NOT another DaVinci Code, but it is so cleverly disguised as one it makes the perfect gift for your anti-Catholic friends and family.

Doctors, Assassins, and Other Tyrants by Katherine Campbell

Kidnapped princes, delusional assassins, and a dim-witted unicorn. What could possibly go wrong?

Death Cult by Declan Finn

St. Tommy continues his fight against the death cult, battling Voodoo priests and zombies along the way.

Idol Speculations by Karina Fabian

Can a dragon take on a monster ten times his size?

Legion by William Peter Blatty

When a boy is crucified, Detective Kinderman finds himself chasing down a murderer who is already dead.

Finnian and the Seven Mountains (Vol.2) By, Philip Kosloski and Michael Lavoy

Can one map be the key to stopping the Viking Invasion?

Siren Spell by Karina Fabian

Immortal dragon Vern can handle anything—until a curse turns him human…