The Knight’s Quest: A Journey Toward Greater Glory

Allison Auth reviews a book based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola that will help young readers learn to use imaginative prayer to discern God’s will.

The Knight’s Quest: A Journey Toward Greater Glory

By Judith Builloc
Magnificat/Ignatius Press

After having studied the Middle Ages with our kids this year, I felt that reading the newly released The Knight’s Quest: A Journey Toward Greater Glory by Judith Buillot, illustrated by Sara Ugolotti, would be a good fit. I knew it was about Ignatius of Loyola, but I felt really surprised when the book jumped right into a jousting competition with the young squire Rodrigo. I wasn’t sure where the book was going at first — until Rodrigo must make some big decisions about his future and visits the brave knight Inigo de Loyola.

At first, Rodrigo thinks Inigo will train him in the ways of becoming a knight, but the wise sage living in a cave tells him he will train him in the spiritual exercises. Inigo invites him to use imagination to delve deeper into prayer, employing his senses to experience Gospel passages come alive. Smelling frankincense and tasting manna unlocks spaces in Rodrigo’s soul that lead to a spirit of repentance.

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What this book teaches young readers

Throughout this short book, kids will learn a bit about Ignatius’ life while they see Rodrigo learn to pray and wrestle with the decisions he has to make. Ignatius helps Rodrigo to reflect on his deepest desires, learning the term magis to help him discover what he can do for the greater glory of God.

There are some of Ignatius’ prayers scattered throughout the book, but I felt that it would have been nice to have some sort of appendix or final chapter giving a brief list of Ignatius’ principles for the kids who want to learn a bit more about the spiritual exercises in a succinct way. Otherwise, it’s a nice story to introduce kids to the life and wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola and gain some insight into how to use imaginative prayer in discernment.

We already had a previous book by the same author, Judith Bouilloc, on Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle, so I am glad to add another book to our collection that will help my kids unlock the wisdom of the saints and go deeper into the spiritual life. The book is recommended for kids ages 7 and up.

Ask for The Knight's Quest at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Ignatius Press.

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

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