Patrons and Protectors: Occupations

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Summary: The Saints -- Heavenly beings brought down to earth
Review: In his wonderful "Patrons and Protectors: Occupations," Franciscan Oblate Brother Mickey McGrath has achieved the best of both worlds: he's combined wonderful scholarship and tradition (both long-standing hallmarks of the Church) and mixed in just the right dollup of tongue-in-cheek, whimsical, contemporary art. Brother Mickey has a strong affinity for his subjects, and it's contagious. It's obvious he loves the heroes and heroines of his faith (aka "saints) . . . he's come to know them well (including their quirks, foibles and unique qualities) and he just can't wait to introduce us to them! And he does it with a twist! There are no anemic apostles or dispeptic disciples here! Brother Mickey has taken some of the most popular saints, researched how they came to be revered as "patrons" of specific occupations, and then depicted them in a contemporary modern setting. St. Anne, known as the mother of the Blessed Mother and honored as the patron saint of housewives, is seen sitting over a much-deserved cup of tea, clothed in a "St. Mary's" sweatshirt, in the middle of a post-breakfast-messy kitchen. St. Barbara, the patron saint of architects is seen as an upscale young African American professional seated in a state-of-the-art studio before an easel. St. Lawrence, the patron of cooks? He's decked out in a chef's hat, "Turn me over" apron (a reference to the saint's legendary demise on a grill). St. John the Baptist de LaSalle, the patron of school teachers is seen, sleeves rolled up, tie askew, gazing longingly out the classroom window after his students have left (his favorite part of the day). The list continues. And no detail is overlooked (or included without a reason). Brother Mickey has replaced the time-honored tradition of bestowing haloes on his subjects, instead circling their heads with items found naturally within the setting in which they find themselves. Business women, hospital administrators, opera singers, astronomers, carpenters, farmers, aviators . . . they're all here. The old saints with a new look! And best yet, Brother Mickey accompanies each of his colorful pictures with text describing the background on each patron, complementing it with reflections written by people who actually work in the field (hence "Mr. (Fred) Rogers" waxes eloquently on television as he pays tribute to St. Clare, the patron of that industry). As exciting as this beautifully illustrated book is is the anticipation of more in Brother Mickey's patron saint series! A great book for religious educators or anyone in search of a new way of seeing relevance in a time-honored tradition.