Get 50% off Catholic Books & eBooks

Discover the Next Tolkien & O'Connor

Join Here for FREE to Never Miss a Deal

Find new favorites & Support Catholic Authors

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

Why Reading Fiction Made Me a Better Catholic

How reading fiction became a crucial step in my conversion to the Catholic Church.

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.

A Fisher of Women: The Tale of the Forgotten Healer of Galilee by Catherine Magia

Before she and husband were Saints, Peter and his wife struggled just to heal themselves

A Life Such As Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

A chance encounter with an amnesiac soldier leads Brigid to discover the realities of the Civil War.

Greater Treasures by Karina Fabian

Will Vern sacrifice the fate of two worlds for the life of his best friend?

Where to begin with Dorothy L. Sayers?

A Detective novelist who believes in conscience, and in the reality of redemption.

Calling All Booklovers! – Young Adult, Historical Fiction, & Nonfiction Editor Positions

Do you love reading books and getting other people to read them? Join our team and make your mark on today’s Catholic literary revival.

The Poppy and The Rose by Ashlee Cowles

While abroad in England, Taylor discovers a mystery linking her to an heiress and passenger aboard The Titanic.

The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

Would you die for a flower? Would you kill for one? Providence, romance, and danger rule in this tense, heart-warming prison romance.

Lance and the Veil by Kevin Rush

She was Christ’s comforter, he, his executioner. Can the two find love in each other’s arms?

My Brother’s Keeper by Bill Kassel

What if you were Jesus’ protective older brother? Could you navigate the courts of Rome & Jerusalem to save him?

The Haunted Cathedral by Antony Barone Kolenc                           

Xan is finally bringing his parent’s killer to justice, yet his guardian monk insists he must forgive the murderer

Celtic Crossing by Len Mattano

Relic lost, and faith found.

The Light of Tara by John Desjarlais

As the power of Rome crumbles, a teenage St. Patrick must decide between his home and sacrificing himself for those who had enslaved him.

Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang

This two part graphic novel tells its story from 2 sides China’s bloody civil war: A Boxer Rebel & a “traitor” Christian-Convert.

Saint Magnus: The Last Viking by Susan Peek

A young Viking Prince evades a warlord while finding his own harrowing path to sainthood.

Murder Most Picante by Karina Fabian

The government can’t decide whether he is an illegal immigrant or invasive species. God expects a respectable dragon to find justice for others. This Dragon is not having a good time of it!

Legion by William Peter Blatty

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

Someday by Corinna Turner

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

Best Books of 2022

Our favorite book finds of the year!