New Book Aids Readers in Trustful Surrender to Jesus through Mary
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Anthony DeStefano. From Bread and Wine to Saints Divine. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2025. Hardcover $17.95. 32 pages. Available from the publisher.
My eldest nephew Adam, who also happens to be one of my godchildren, was a very bright child. When he was about five, Adam said to me one day, “I’m in a bit of a quandary,” then went on to explain his dilemma. As his First Communion drew near, I wanted to see if he had any questions, so I asked him, “Do you think the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is hard to understand?” He replied, “If God could create the whole world, is it really that hard for Him to come to us in Holy Communion?”
Finally, there is a new book that explains exactly that. Just in time for Easter and First Communion, Anthony DeStefano, bestselling author of thirty Christian books for adults and children, returns with his latest gem From Bread and Wine to Saints Divine. DeStefano uses his charming rhymes and vivid paintings to relate this Sacred Mystery and more, unveiling God's life at work within us. Families are invited to embark on a thrilling adventure from the dawn of creation to our times.
“This is a children's book that attempts to explain the sacrament of the Eucharist in a way that’s simple but engaging, hopefully entertaining and, of course, theologically sound,” shared DeStefano in a March 27, 2025 interview on EWTN Bookmark. “It takes kids on a journey through the experience of change, something we all experience in life and something that children, I think, are especially fascinated by.”
Through powerful yet easy to grasp analogies, DeStefano scaffolds God’s greatest designs for readers until they reach the climax: the Holy Eucharist. Although we long to share this most treasured belief with little ones, it is sometimes a challenge to communicate it in a compelling and understandable way. However, DeStefano provides parents and teachers alike with this invaluable resource for this purpose.
“The book shows real everyday changes that kids recognize, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, or night turning into day, or flour and sugar transforming into a birthday cake, and then it connects those changes to the greatest transformation of all, bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and then it goes even further,” continued DeStefano.
“It shows the reason we receive the Eucharist so that we can change. We take Jesus into ourselves, so that we can become more like Him, so that we can grow in holiness, love and truth, and so this book really is about two miraculous transformations, what happens on the altar at Mass and what’s meant to happen to us when we receive the Eucharist in a worthy manner on a regular basis.”
The book beautifully shows the dignity of the human person at every stage and the glory of union with God to which we are called. It also shows examples of how receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist inspires us to serve others.
“Two qualities I think are essential for children to understand the Eucharist, realism and mystery,” added DeStefano. “I wanted the illustrations to be somewhat realistic because the Eucharist is real. It’s not a cartoon. It’s not a fairy tale. It’s something that happens at every Mass, every day, in every Catholic Church around the world. But I also wanted the book to have a touch of mystery about it, because the Eucharist involves something beyond our imagination, something wondrous and miraculous.”
And the change that happens within us from receiving the Real Presence of our Lord is nothing short of miraculous too. So, yes, as my nephew explained: with God all things are possible.
Mary Beth Bracy is a writer who is blessed to research, publish, and speak extensively on various aspects of Catholic spirituality. Her books include Behold the Lamb, Bread of Life and The Little Way of Healing Love Through the Passion of Jesus: The Stations of the Cross with St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and she is co-author of the book Stories of the Eucharist. She has written articles for numerous Catholic publications and recorded some Catholic talks. Mary Beth is also a professional teacher, dual certified in English and Special Education, and the owner of a Catholic book and gift shop online. A proud member of the St. John Paul II generation, and lover of all things St. Thérèse, Mary Beth enjoys spending time in Eucharistic Adoration daily, keeping in touch with her family and friends, as well as, sharing her faith with others.
